Biblica - Vol 97 (2016) Callan, Terrance, Partenoi in Corinth: 1 Cor 7,25-40 (2016)

Interpreters differ significantly regarding the identity of the 'partenoi' discussed in 1 Cor 7,25-40. There is some uncertainty about whether they are men and women, or only women. And those who understand them as only women differ as to whether they are betrothed women, unmarried daughters, spouses in spiritual marriages, or young widows who are possible candidates for levirate marriage. I argue that the 'partenoi' are only women, and that they are unmarried daughters of Corinthian Christians. The argument is based mainly on usage of 'partenos' in literature written before, and at approximately the same time as, 1 Corinthians. In addition i offer an interpretation of 1 Cor 7,25-40, especially of vv. 36-38, that supports understanding the word as designating young, unmarried daughters.