22. agamos
Lexical Summary
agamos: Unmarried

Original Word: ἄγαμος
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine; Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: agamos
Pronunciation: AH-gah-mos
Phonetic Spelling: (ag'-am-os)
KJV: unmarried
NASB: unmarried
Word Origin: [from G1 (α - Alpha) (as a negative particle) and G1062 (γάμος - wedding feast)]

1. unmarried

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
unmarried.

From a (as a negative particle) and gamos; unmarried -- unmarried.

see GREEK a

see GREEK gamos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from alpha (as a neg. prefix) and gamos
Definition
unmarried
NASB Translation
unmarried (4).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 22: ἄγαμος

ἄγαμος, (γάμος), unmarried: 1 Corinthians 7:8, 32; used even of women, 1 Corinthians 7:11, 34 (Euripides, Hel. 690 (and elsewhere)), where the Greeks commonly said ἄνανδρος.

Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Scope

Ἄγαμος designates someone who is not bound by marriage ties. In 1 Corinthians 7 Paul distinguishes the ἄγαμος from both the married and the widowed, treating singleness as a legitimate and even advantageous life condition for certain believers.

Context in 1 Corinthians 7

1 Corinthians 7:8: “Now to the unmarried and the widows I say this: It is good for them to remain unmarried, as I am.”
1 Corinthians 7:11: a separated wife is to “remain unmarried or else be reconciled.”
1 Corinthians 7:32: “The unmarried man is concerned about the work of the Lord, how he can please the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 7:34: “The unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the affairs of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit.”

Paul addresses a congregation grappling with questions about marriage in a climate of distress (7:26) and impending persecution. He presents singleness neither as a command nor as a universal ideal but as a strategic option “because the present form of this world is passing away” (7:31).

Theological Emphasis

1. Undivided Devotion: Singleness offers freedom from certain earthly responsibilities, enabling an intensified focus on “the interests of the Lord” (7:32-35).
2. Giftedness: Paul speaks of differing “graces” (χάρισμα, 7:7). The unmarried state, when embraced as a divine provision, is a charism for service, not a deficiency.
3. Eschatological Witness: The unmarried believer’s life anticipates the resurrection age in which “they will neither marry nor be given in marriage” (Luke 20:35-36), pointing the church toward its ultimate union with Christ.

Historical and Cultural Background

Greco-Roman society valued marriage for legacy and social standing, while Judaism stressed procreation as covenantal duty. Paul’s affirmation of voluntary singleness was counter-cultural, highlighting the kingdom’s reordering of priorities. Early Christian communities, influenced by this teaching, welcomed household arrangements that included widows, virgins, and traveling evangelists who remained unmarried for ministry.

Pastoral and Ministry Applications

• Equipping Singles: Congregations should support unmarried believers in discovering and exercising their spiritual gifts without pressuring them toward marriage as a mark of maturity.
• Guarding Purity: Paul links singleness with holiness “both in body and spirit” (7:34). Spiritual disciplines and accountable fellowship help maintain integrity.
• Mobilizing Service: Unmarried members often possess flexibility for missionary deployment, hospitality, and intensive discipleship roles.
• Compassionate Counsel: In cases of separation or abandonment (7:11, 7:15), remaining ἄγαμος may be the wisest course, coupled with pastoral care and hope for reconciliation.

Biblical Models of God-Honoring Singleness

Jeremiah (Jeremiah 16:2), John the Baptist (Matthew 11:18), and Jesus Himself exemplify prophetic and redemptive ministry unmarred by marital obligations. Their lives authenticate Paul’s counsel and encourage modern believers who live singly for the kingdom.

Practical Reflection for Today

The church honors Christ by valuing both marriage and singleness. The unmarried believer is a visible reminder that ultimate fulfillment lies not in human partnership but in communion with the Lord. As society alternates between idolizing romance and marginalizing commitment, the ἄγαμος Christian showcases contentment and purposeful service grounded in the gospel.

Related Themes

Gift of celibacy (Matthew 19:12), devotion to the Lord (Romans 12:1), the bride of Christ (Revelation 19:7-9), temporal versus eternal concerns (Colossians 3:1-4).

Forms and Transliterations
αγαμοις αγάμοις ἀγάμοις αγαμος άγαμος ἄγαμος agamois agámois agamos ágamos
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Corinthians 7:8 N-DMP
GRK: δὲ τοῖς ἀγάμοις καὶ ταῖς
NAS: But I say to the unmarried and to widows
KJV: therefore to the unmarried and
INT: moreover to the unmarried and to the

1 Corinthians 7:11 N-NFS
GRK: χωρισθῇ μενέτω ἄγαμος ἢ τῷ
NAS: she must remain unmarried, or else
KJV: let her remain unmarried, or
INT: she be separated let her remain unmarried or to the

1 Corinthians 7:32 N-NMS
GRK: εἶναι ὁ ἄγαμος μεριμνᾷ τὰ
NAS: you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned
KJV: without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth
INT: to be The unmarried cares for the things

1 Corinthians 7:34 N-NFS
GRK: γυνὴ ἡ ἄγαμος καὶ ἡ
NAS: The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin,
KJV: a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for
INT: woman unmarried and the

Strong's Greek 22
4 Occurrences


ἀγάμοις — 1 Occ.
ἄγαμος — 3 Occ.

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