In 1 Corinthians 7:8–16 Paul applies the advice (given in 1 Corinthians 7:1–7) to three groups of people in the church: the unmarried and the widows (1 Corinthians 7:8–9), the married (1 Corinthians 7:10–11), and the rest
(1 Corinthians 7:12–16).
With regards to the first group, it seems somewhat strange that Paul explicitly mentions widows but not widowers. Probably, when he speaks of the unmarried,
he has in view only unmarried men (a group that would include widowers). Young, unmarried women were seldom free to make their own decisions regarding marriage. The widows,
however, had more freedom in this regard, which is why they are particularly mentioned.
Paul repeats the phrase with which he had introduced the discussion of this chapter: It is good
(1 Corinthians 7:1). Here, as there, the good
consists in not marrying.
8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am.