Paul has already given instructions to three groups of people: the unmarried and widows (1 Corinthians 7:8), the married (1 Corinthians 7:10), and the believers who are married to unbelievers (1 Corinthians 7:12). Finally, he comes to a fourth group: the betrothed (or, the virgins).

As with a previous case (see 1 Corinthians 7:12), Paul cannot cite any direct command from Jesus. However, the instruction that he has to offer is one that also comes from the Spirit (compare 1 Corinthians 7:40).

From the previous three instructions (1 Corinthians 7:8, 1 Corinthians 7:10, 1 Corinthians 7:12), we would expect Paul to introduce this instruction with the words, To the betrothed I say… This time, however, he does not directly address the group of believers concerned. Rather than addressing the betrothed girls, he addresses the men to whom they have been betrothed (1 Corinthians 7:27–28, 1 Corinthians 7:36–38). After all, the initiative to marry would belong to them, and not to the girls.