Asugyafoɔ (Unmarried) and Akunafoɔ (Widows) in 1 Corinthians 7:8-9, 39-40: An Akan Christian Perspective
Ernest Nyarko 
Issue: Vol.7 No.3 2025 Article 2 pp. 68 – 79
DOI : https://doi.org/10.38159/motbit.2025732 | Published online 31st March, 2025
© 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
In 1 Corinthians 7, the apostle Paul addresses various concerns regarding relationships within the Corinthian church. He discusses the appropriate behavior and attitudes Christian spouses should have toward each other, provides guidance to the unmarried and widows, and advises against divorce. Additionally, he encourages those who have experienced divorce to seek reconciliation whenever possible. Paul also offers cautionary advice to Christian virgins about the potential challenges of marriage, providing comprehensive insight into the complexities of relationships within the Christian community. This research explored the implications of Paul’s teachings for unmarried individuals and widows, considering their spiritual, emotional, and social dimensions. By examining these verses from an Akan Christian perspective, the paper illuminated how cultural contexts influence biblical interpretation and the lived experiences of believers, providing a comprehensive understanding of the divine purpose for all believers, whether unmarried, married, or widowed. To achieve this, the researcher drew from various sources, including biblical texts and Akan literature. The study employed methodological tools such as theological analysis and mother-tongue biblical hermeneutics in its discussion. The study revealed that Paul’s endorsement of singleness is rooted in its potential for undistracted devotion to God. Thus, the study concludes that Paul’s recommendation is not a criticism of marriage but rather an acknowledgment of the benefits of celibacy for those who can maintain it.
Keywords: Akunafoɔ, Asugyafuoↄ, Akan Christian, Unmarried, Widows
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Ernest Nyarko, Ph.D., is an Ordained Minister of the Methodist Church Ghana. He holds the position of Senior Research Fellow at the Akrofi-Christaller Institute of Theology, Mission and Culture, located in Akropong-Akuapem, Ghana. In addition to this role, he serves as the Acting Director of the Centre for Gospel and Culture Engagement (CEGACE) at the same Institute. The Very Rev. Dr. Nyarko is an African Christian theologian and biblical scholar whose research focuses on the contribution of the New Testament to the Gospel and cultural engagement in Africa, particularly emphasizing the writings of Paul. He also has a keen interest in Christian and African ethics, as well as Mother Tongue biblical hermeneutics.
Nyarko, Ernest. “Asugyafoɔ (Unmarried) and Akunafoɔ (Widows) in 1 Corinthians 7:8-9, 39-40: An Akan Christian Perspective ,” Journal of Mother-Tongue Biblical Hermeneutics and Theology 7, no.3 (2025):68 – 79. https://doi.org/10.38159/motbit.2025732
© 2025 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
