Paul gives judgment as one made trustworthy by the Lord, explains it by present distress and undistracted devotion, and explicitly leaves marriage permissible. He closes his advice to widows by saying he thinks he also has God’s Spirit. Preserve “I think” without deciding its degree of confidence: he associates his judgment with the Spirit rather than disclaiming the Spirit. The reference to “his virgin” need not be resolved to observe that marrying is not sin. Having the Spirit alone is not a proof that every statement someone makes is inspired.
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