Thursday, September 1, 2011

The Apostle Paul a Widower?

Denny Burk argues yes.

  1. Paul puts himself in the category of being “unmarried” in 1 Corinthians 7:8.
  2. The word “unmarried” translates the Greek word agamos.
  3. Paul uses the term agamos to refer to those who have been married but now are no longer married.
  4. The context of agamos in 1 Corinthians 7:8 is dominated by Paul’s instructions to those who are married or who have been married.
  5. The Greek word for “widower” was not in use during the Koine period.
  6. The word for “unmarried” appears to be the masculine word for someone who has lost a spouse.
  7. As a good Pharisee, it is highly unlikely that Paul would have been single his entire life.
(via JT)

This makes me think that perhaps 1 Corinthians 7:8 is mistranslated by the ESV which reads "it is good for them to remain single as I am."  The verse in Greek literally reads, "But I say to the ones not married and to the widows, it is good for them if they remain as I [am]."

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