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 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Corinthians 7:11 | if she also separates, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband, and let not the husband divorce his wife. | 1 Cor 7:10, 15, 39 |
| Matthew 5:32 | that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery. | Matt 19:3-12, Mark 10:2-12 |
| Mark 10:11 | and he says to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, | Mark 10:2-12, Luke 16:18 |
| Luke 16:18 | "Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery. | Matt 5:32, Mark 10:11-12 |
| Romans 7:2 | For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is alive, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of the husband. | Rom 7:1-3, 1 Cor 7:39 |
| Romans 7:3 | So then if, while her husband is alive, she marries another woman, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another woman, she is not an adulteress. | Rom 7:1-2 |
| 1 Corinthians 7:12 | To the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is not a believer, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. | 1 Cor 7:10-11, 1 Cor 7:25-28 |
| 1 Corinthians 7:15 | But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not bound. For God has called us in peace. | 1 Cor 7:10-11, Mal 2:14-16 |
| 1 Corinthians 7:39 | A wife is bound to her husband as long as he is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry whomever she wishes, but only in the Lord. | 1 Cor 7:4, 10-11, Romans 7:2-3 |
| Genesis 2:24 | Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. | Gen 2:18-25, Matt 19:5 |
| Malachi 2:14 | You ask, “Why?” It is because the Lord was witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have dealt treacherousiy with her. Yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant. | Mal 2:10-16, Prov 2:17 |
| Ephesians 5:31 | Because of this a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. | Gen 2:24, Matt 19:5, 1 Cor 6:16 |
| Ephesians 5:33 | However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. | Eph 5:22-33 |
| Matthew 19:6 | Thus they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate. | Gen 2:24, Mark 10:9 |
| 1 Corinthians 7:28 | If you do marry, you have not sinned, nor does the girl who marries sin. But such people will have trouble in this life, and I want to spare you. | 1 Cor 7:8-9, 28 |
| 1 Corinthians 7:20 | To each person the Lord allotted his place, to each as the Lord called him—this is my rule in all the churches. | 1 Cor 7:17-24, Acts 15:19 |
| 1 Corinthians 7:24 | So, brothers, in whatever state each was called, in the same state let him remain with God. | 1 Cor 7:17-20, 24 |
| John 14:16 | And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, | John 14:26, John 15:26 |
| 1 John 1:9 | If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. | 1 John 1:5-10, Ps 32:5 |
| Proverbs 3:5 | Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. | Prov 3:5-6, Jer 17:5-8 |
| Matthew 18:15 | “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. | Matt 18:15-17 |
| Hebrews 13:4 | Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. | Heb 13:4, 1 Cor 6:9-10 |
1 Corinthians 7 verses
1 Corinthians 7 10 Meaning
This verse instructs believers who are married not to separate from each other. It emphasizes that this command originates from Jesus himself. Separation between a husband and wife is prohibited; if a separation has occurred, the instruction is that they should remain unmarried or be reconciled to their husband. The primary point is the preservation of the marriage covenant.
1 Corinthians 7 10 Context
In 1 Corinthians chapter 7, Paul addresses a series of questions the Corinthian church had sent him, including those about marriage and singleness. The early church in Corinth faced various social and cultural pressures, and questions arose regarding the application of Christian principles to their lives. Chapter 7 specifically deals with matters of marital relations, divorce, singleness, and mixed marriages. Verse 10, following discussions about the propriety of sexual relations within marriage (vv. 2-5) and advice to the unmarried and widows (vv. 8-9), clarifies the status and obligations of married believers, particularly concerning separation and divorce. The Corinthian believers, influenced by philosophical ideas, might have been questioning the permanence of marriage or considering divorce for spiritual purity.
1 Corinthians 7 10 Word Analysis
- "I" (ego): Emphasizes Paul as the human author speaking.
- "command" (parangello): A formal instruction or directive, suggesting authority, but it's often from a delegated perspective, especially when noting "not the Lord" elsewhere in the chapter (e.g., v. 12).
- "not I" (ouk ego): Distinguishes his personal counsel from direct words of Jesus.
- "but the Lord" (alla ho Kyrios): Attributes the specific commandment to Jesus Christ. This is a crucial distinction regarding the source of the instruction on marital dissolution.
- "Let not" (mē): A strong prohibition, conveying a command not to do something.
- "wife" (gynē): Refers to a married woman.
- "be separated" (chōristhēnai): To be parted from, to divorce.
- "let him not divorce his wife" (tōi gynaiou mē apolyo): A prohibition against the husband initiating divorce. This aligns with Jesus' strong teaching against divorce.
Word-group Analysis:
- "I command, not I, but the Lord": This phrase highlights the divine origin of the prohibition against divorce. While Paul conveys it, the ultimate authority rests with Christ's own teaching. This avoids misinterpreting it as mere human advice.
- "Let not the wife be separated from her husband": This is a prohibition directed at the wife to prevent her from initiating separation or divorce.
- "but if she also separates" (para de to Kōrisētai): This implies a possible scenario where a wife might separate. The consequence of this separation is detailed in the next verse (v. 11), which is to remain unmarried or be reconciled.
- "let him not divorce his wife": This part of the verse is a direct prohibition against the husband's unilateral act of divorcing his wife. It indicates that the marital bond is to be maintained.
1 Corinthians 7 10 Bonus Section
The distinction between "not the Lord" (vv. 12, 25) and "but the Lord" in verse 10 is significant. In verses 12 and 25, Paul acknowledges he is giving his own counsel based on the Spirit's prompting. However, here in verse 10, he refers to a specific teaching directly attributed to Jesus. This likely refers to teachings recorded in the Gospels about divorce (Matthew 5:32, 19:3-12; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:18). The prohibition is absolute unless specific, gospel-recognized grounds exist (e.g., sexual immorality, though the application of that exception is complex and debated). Paul’s teaching here serves to bring clarity and divine authority to the Corinthian church’s marital conduct. The emphasis on "the Lord" underscores that Christ’s will for marriage is primary.
1 Corinthians 7 10 Commentary
The verse emphasizes Jesus' direct command regarding the indissolubility of marriage. It forbids believers from initiating divorce. The structure implies that if a separation has already occurred, or if the wife initiates one, the directive is that the bond remains intact. The imperative "let not the husband divorce his wife" underscores the seriousness with which Christ viewed the marriage covenant. Paul, by attributing this to "the Lord," reinforces that this isn't merely his personal opinion but a core teaching of Christ. This prohibition is grounded in the Old Testament concept of covenant and the New Testament's understanding of marriage as a reflection of Christ's relationship with the church. The challenge in Corinth might have been about who could initiate divorce or on what grounds. Paul reiterates Christ’s foundational stance: divorce is not permissible for believers from within the marriage bond, especially when initiated by the husband.
- Practical application: Believers facing marital difficulties should seek reconciliation rather than separation or divorce, understanding this as a divine instruction.