ἄγαμος (agamos)

agamos

unmarried

G0022 · Greek · New Testament · 4 verses

Language: Koine Greek
Testament: New Testament
Occurrences: 4 verses
Root: —

Word Overview

The Greek word agamos describes a person who is unmarried or unwedded. It functions as an adjective that applies to both men and women, indicating a state of being single rather than currently bound in marriage. The term appears only four times in the New Testament, all within Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians.

Its meaning is straightforward: it denotes the condition of not having a spouse. In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul uses this word to address different groups within the church, specifically referring to widows and unmarried men. The sources clarify that this status does not necessarily imply virginity or a lack of previous marriage; it simply marks the current absence of a marital union.

Paul’s discussion in chapter seven highlights the practical implications of this state. He notes that an unmarried person is concerned with the Lord’s affairs, free from the distractions of pleasing a spouse. This observation allows for a clear distinction between those who are married and those who remain agamos, emphasizing the unique spiritual focus available to the single believer.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word agamos simply means unmarried. It describes a person without a spouse, whether they have never married or are widowed. Paul uses this term in his first letter to the Corinthians to address single believers directly. He does not treat singleness as a problem to be solved but as a valid state of life with its own unique gifts.

When you are unmarried, your time and energy are not divided by the daily demands of caring for a husband or wife. This freedom allows you to focus more fully on serving the Lord and others in your community. It is a season where you can say yes to ministry opportunities that might be harder to accept if you had other responsibilities at home.

Paul encourages single people to stay as they are if it brings peace, but he also respects their freedom to marry if that feels right. There is no shame in being agamos, nor is there pressure to change your status quickly. God sees your devotion and uses your single life for His purposes just as deeply as He uses married lives.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.

unmarried3×
unmarried man1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

ἄγαμος3×
ἀγάμοις1×

Key Verses

I Corinthians 7:8
But I say to the unmarried and to widows, it is good for them if they remain even as I am.

Paul addresses widows and unmarried men directly, suggesting that staying single can be a good thing if it helps them remain focused on the Lord.
I Corinthians 7:32
But I desire to have you to be free from cares. He who is unmarried is concerned for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord;

This verse highlights the practical benefit of being unmarried: freedom from worldly cares allows for undivided concern for the Lord's affairs.
I Corinthians 7:34
There is also a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband.

Paul explains that an unmarried woman can care for the Lord’s things with a focus on holiness in both body and spirit, distinct from marital concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does agamos mean in the Bible?

Agamos is a Greek adjective that means unmarried or unwedded. It describes someone who is not currently married, regardless of whether they have ever been married before. The term appears only in 1 Corinthians 7.

Does agamos mean virgin?

No, it does not necessarily mean virgin. While the word can apply to virgins, it primarily refers to marital status rather than sexual history. A person can be agamos and have been married before, or they may never have married.

Why does Paul talk about being unmarried in 1 Corinthians?

Paul discusses singleness because he believes it allows for undivided devotion to the Lord. In 1 Corinthians 7:32-34, he notes that unmarried people are less distracted by worldly cares and can focus more on serving God.

Is being agamos a spiritual gift?

Paul does not explicitly call it a gift in this word’s definition, but he treats singleness as a beneficial state for certain kinds of service. He suggests in 1 Corinthians 7:7 that each person has their own gift from God, which may include the ability to remain single.

Every Occurrence (4 verses across 1 books)

I Corinthians 4 verses

I Corinthians 7:8

But I say to the unmarried and to widows, it is good for them if they remain even as I am.

I Corinthians 7:11

(but if she departs, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband not leave…

I Corinthians 7:32

But I desire to have you to be free from cares. He who is unmarried is concerned for the things of the Lord, how he may…

I Corinthians 7:34

There is also a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that…