ἄγαμος – Pronunciation Guide: ah-GAH-mos

Basic Definition

Strong’s G22: Unmarried, single, or not bound in marriage. This term specifically refers to someone who is either not yet married, no longer married, or has chosen to remain unmarried for spiritual purposes.

Word Study

• Part of Speech: Adjective
• Language Origin: Compound word from ἀ- (a-) “not” + γάμος (gamos) “marriage”

Morphology:

• ἄγαμος – unmarried man
• ἀγάμη – unmarried woman
• ἄγαμοι – unmarried people (plural)

Word Origin & History

The term ἄγαμος emerges from classical Greek society where marriage was considered the normative social state. The alpha privative (ἀ-) combined with γάμος creates a word that literally means “without marriage.” In classical Greek literature, particularly in the works of Plato and Aristotle, the term was often used in philosophical discussions about social order and the role of marriage in society.

This compound construction reflects the Greek understanding that marriage was the expected status, making the unmarried state notable enough to warrant its own specific term. The word appears in various Greek legal documents dealing with inheritance rights and social status.

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἄγαμος appears exclusively in 1 Corinthians 7, where Paul provides extensive teaching about marriage and singleness. The apostle uses this term to address various categories of unmarried people, including those who have never married and those who are widowed.

Key Passages:

• 1 Corinthians 7:8 – Paul addresses the unmarried and widows
• 1 Corinthians 7:11 – Discussion of separation and divorce
• 1 Corinthians 7:32-34 – Contrast between married and unmarried believers

Cultural Insights

In first-century Roman society, remaining unmarried was often viewed with suspicion or concern. Roman law even penalized those who remained unmarried past a certain age through inheritance restrictions. Paul’s positive treatment of the ἄγαμος state was therefore countercultural, presenting singleness as a legitimate and even advantageous condition for certain believers.

Theological Significance

The use of ἄγαμος in Scripture presents a radical departure from both Jewish and Greco-Roman views of singleness. Paul elevates the unmarried state as a potentially superior condition for devoted service to God, challenging the cultural mandate for marriage. This theological perspective presents singleness not as a deficit or temporary state to be endured, but as a potentially special calling that can facilitate undivided devotion to the Lord.

The term’s usage in 1 Corinthians 7 also demonstrates God’s recognition of diverse life situations and His provision of wisdom for each. It reveals His heart for both married and unmarried believers, showing that His kingdom purposes can be fulfilled through various life situations.

Personal Application

Understanding ἄγαμος helps modern believers appreciate that marital status doesn’t determine spiritual effectiveness or completeness. Whether temporary or permanent, singleness can be embraced as a season of unique opportunity for kingdom service. This understanding can help combat the often-felt stigma of singleness in church communities and encourage a more biblical perspective on various life stations.

Related Words

• γάμος (gamos) – marriage, wedding celebration – See G1062
• γαμέω (gameō) – to marry – See G1060
• γαμίζω (gamizō) – to give in marriage – See G1061

Did You Know?

• The word ἄγαμος appears only 4 times in the New Testament, all in 1 Corinthians 7.
• Ancient Greek medical writers sometimes used ἄγαμος when discussing the health implications of different life states.
• The concept behind ἄγαμος influenced early Christian monasticism and views on celibacy.

Remember This

“Being ἄγαμος is not about what’s missing in life, but about what’s possible for God’s kingdom.”