1 Corinthians 7 10

1 Corinthians 7:10 kjv

And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:

1 Corinthians 7:10 nkjv

Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband.

1 Corinthians 7:10 niv

To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.

1 Corinthians 7:10 esv

To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband

1 Corinthians 7:10 nlt

But for those who are married, I have a command that comes not from me, but from the Lord. A wife must not leave her husband.

1 Corinthians 7 verses

1 Corinthians 7 10 meaning

First Corinthians 7:10 is a direct command concerning the permanence of marriage for believing couples. Paul declares that this instruction does not originate from his own wisdom but is a specific mandate from the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, forbidding a wife from separating from her husband. This prohibition underscores the sanctity and indissolubility of the marital bond as established by God and affirmed by Christ, providing a foundational principle for Christian marriage in the early church and today.

1 Corinthians 7 10 Context

First Corinthians chapter 7 primarily addresses various questions concerning marriage, celibacy, and sexual ethics that were likely raised by the Corinthian church (1 Cor 7:1). The chapter contrasts the "present distress" (1 Cor 7:26) with God's original design for marriage, providing guidance for both married and unmarried individuals. The societal and cultural context of Corinth was a pagan, sexually liberal city where divorce was relatively common and accepted, often initiated by either men or women. This background underscores the radical nature of Paul's command here, which counters prevailing norms. Within the chapter, Paul distinguishes between his Spirit-inspired advice ("I, not the Lord" in 1 Cor 7:12) and the direct commands given by Jesus during His earthly ministry, as found in verse 10. This verse (1 Cor 7:10) and its immediate follow-up (1 Cor 7:11) are specifically for two Christians who are married to each other.

1 Corinthians 7 10 Word analysis

• Τοῖς (Tois): A dative plural definite article meaning "to the." It indicates the specific recipients of the command.
• δὲ (de): A conjunction meaning "but" or "and." It often introduces a slight contrast or continuation of thought. Here, it transitions from a general discussion of marital rights (1 Cor 7:8-9) to a specific command.
• γεγαμηκόσιν (gegēmēkosin): Dative plural, perfect active participle of gameō (γαμέω), "to marry." The perfect tense emphasizes a past action with ongoing results: those who "have married and are (still) married." This command is for those already in a marital covenant.
• παραγγέλλω (parangellō): First person singular present active indicative of parangellō (παραγγέλλω), "I command," "I order," "I instruct authoritatively." This verb signifies a direct, strong directive, not merely a suggestion.
• οὐκ (ouk): A negative particle meaning "not." It negates a factual statement.
• ἐγὼ (egō): The pronoun "I." In contrast to the subsequent phrase, it indicates Paul's personal authority or perspective.
• ἀλλὰ (alla): A strong adversative conjunction meaning "but," "rather." It marks a strong contrast, emphasizing what follows.
• ὁ Κύριος (ho Kyrios): "The Lord." This refers unequivocally to Jesus Christ. Paul is emphasizing that this command directly echoes Jesus' own teachings (e.g., in the Gospels), endowing it with divine authority that surpasses Paul's personal counsel.
• γυναῖκα (gynaika): Accusative singular of gunē (γυνή), meaning "woman" or "wife." Here, clearly refers to a wife in the context of marriage.
• ἀπὸ (apo): A preposition meaning "from" or "away from." It denotes separation or distance.
• ἀνδρὸς (andros): Genitive singular of anēr (ἀνήρ), meaning "man" or "husband." Here, clearly refers to a husband.
• μὴ (mē): A negative particle meaning "not." Used with infinitives to express prohibition, making it a strong negative command: "do not..."
• χωρισθῆναι (chōristhēnai): Aorist passive infinitive of chōrizō (χωρίζω), meaning "to separate," "to put apart," "to divorce." In the context of marriage, especially with the following verse (1 Cor 7:11), this refers to a definitive marital separation or legal divorce.

• "Τοῖς δὲ γεγαμηκόσιν παραγγέλλω" (But to the married I command): This phrase immediately establishes the target audience and the authoritative nature of the subsequent statement. It addresses those already in the sacred covenant of marriage.
• "οὐκ ἐγὼ ἀλλὰ ὁ Κύριος" (not I but the Lord): This crucial parenthetical phrase sets apart the authority of this command. Paul frequently distinguishes his Spirit-led advice from the direct words of Christ (compare 1 Cor 7:12). This declaration grants the command paramount significance and unshakeable biblical grounding.
• "γυναῖκα ἀπὸ ἀνδρὸς μὴ χωρισθῆναι" (that the wife should not separate from her husband): This is the core prohibition. The passive infinitive ("should not be separated") with the negative particle indicates a strong, absolute prohibition against either a wife initiating separation or acquiescing to one that amounts to divorce. While the verse explicitly names the wife, the Lord's teaching on divorce is consistently reciprocal, meaning the husband also should not divorce his wife (as clarified in 1 Cor 7:11). The specific address to the wife might relate to questions Paul received or particular cultural trends in Corinth.

1 Corinthians 7 10 Bonus section

While 1 Cor 7:10 explicitly names the "wife," this is understood in light of Jesus's broader teaching (e.g., Mk 10:11-12) to be a reciprocal command applicable equally to husbands: husbands should not separate from their wives. Paul confirms this in 1 Cor 7:11, stating, "and that the husband must not divorce his wife." The initial focus on the wife may have been in response to specific questions from the Corinthian church or possibly cultural nuances where women in Roman-influenced Corinthian society had legal avenues to initiate divorce. The emphasis on "the Lord's command" makes this directive applicable universally to Christian marriages, transcending specific cultural practices or gender-specific queries, reinforcing the divine design of indissoluble marriage.

1 Corinthians 7 10 Commentary

First Corinthians 7:10 delivers a definitive mandate on the sanctity of Christian marriage: no separation. This command, explicitly attributed to the Lord Jesus, reflects His teachings on the permanence of the marital union established at creation, emphasizing its divine origin and the 'one flesh' covenant. Paul's direct "not I but the Lord" elevates this instruction to non-negotiable status within Christian conduct, distinguishing it from his own counsel later in the chapter (e.g., 1 Cor 7:12). The term "separate" (χωρισθῆναι) implies a definitive breaking of the marital bond, equivalent to divorce, as understood by the implication for remaining unmarried or reconciliation in 1 Cor 7:11. This directive serves to uphold the sacredness of marriage, countering the prevailing pagan cultural norms of Corinth that facilitated easy divorce and casual relationships. It calls believers to a higher standard, reflecting God's original intent and Christ's affirmation that what God has joined together, humanity should not separate.

Examples of practical application:

• A couple facing marital strife should prioritize seeking reconciliation and restoration rather than immediate separation.
• Christian marriage counseling should always aim for preservation and healing of the marriage, in line with this command.
• The Church as a body has a role in supporting and ministering to struggling couples to prevent separation.