1 Corinthians 7:13 kjv
And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
1 Corinthians 7:13 nkjv
And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him.
1 Corinthians 7:13 niv
And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him.
1 Corinthians 7:13 esv
If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him.
1 Corinthians 7:13 nlt
And if a believing woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to continue living with her, she must not leave him.
1 Corinthians 7 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 19:6 | So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate. | Marital unity & permanence |
| Mk 10:9 | Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate. | God-ordained permanence |
| Rom 7:2-3 | For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives... if she lives with another man...adulteress. | Marriage bound until death |
| Mal 2:16 | “For I hate divorce,” says the Lord, the God of Israel... | God's disdain for divorce |
| 1 Cor 7:10 | To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband... | General marital non-separation command |
| 1 Cor 7:11 | ...and that the husband should not divorce his wife. | General marital non-divorce command |
| 1 Cor 7:12 | If any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. | Parallel instruction for husbands |
| 1 Cor 7:14 | For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy... | Sanctifying influence of believer |
| 1 Cor 7:16 | For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you...? | Hope for spouse's salvation |
| 1 Pet 3:1 | Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands, so that, if any of them do not believe the word... | Christian wife's submission and conduct |
| 1 Pet 3:2 | ...they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity... | Winning unbelieving spouse through conduct |
| 1 Cor 7:15 | But if the unbeliever separates, let it be so. The brother or sister is not bound...God has called us to peace. | Exception: unbeliever desires separation |
| Rom 12:18 | If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all people. | Principle of pursuing peace |
| Heb 12:14 | Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. | Command to pursue peace and holiness |
| 2 Cor 6:14 | Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? | Warning against entering unequal yoking |
| Ezr 9:1 | The people of Israel...have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands with their abominations... | OT warning against pagan intermarriage (for Israel) |
| Neh 13:23 | I also saw Jews who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. | OT prohibition against foreign marriages (for Israel) |
| Col 4:5 | Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. | General wisdom in interacting with non-believers |
| 1 Pet 2:12 | Live such good lives among the pagans that...they may see your good deeds and glorify God... | Believer's exemplary life for unbelievers |
| Eph 5:22 | Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. | General command for wife's submission |
| Col 3:18 | Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. | General command for wife's submission |
| Heb 13:4 | Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled... | Honor for the marriage institution |
1 Corinthians 7 verses
1 Corinthians 7 13 Meaning
The verse 1 Corinthians 7:13 teaches that if a Christian wife is married to a non-Christian husband, and he is content to continue living with her as her husband, then she, the Christian wife, must not divorce him. This instruction mirrors the counsel given to the Christian husband in the preceding verse (1 Cor 7:12) and highlights the sanctity of the marital bond even when only one spouse believes. It underscores God's preference for reconciliation and peace within the marriage unless the unbelieving partner initiates separation.
1 Corinthians 7 13 Context
First Corinthians chapter 7 addresses various questions related to marriage, celibacy, and singleness, topics about which the Corinthian believers had written to Paul. Paul’s advice aims to clarify how Christians should live in a pagan society regarding these intimate matters. Specifically, 1 Corinthians 7:12-16 deals with "mixed marriages," where one spouse has converted to Christianity while the other remains an unbeliever. Verse 13 directly follows Paul's instruction to believing husbands not to divorce their unbelieving wives (v. 12), applying the same principle to believing wives. This advice differs from Jesus' absolute prohibition against divorce except for sexual immorality (Mt 5:32; 19:9) by addressing a unique situation—a pre-conversion marriage where one spouse becomes a believer. Paul’s guidance here is practical wisdom, inspired by the Holy Spirit, aiming to maintain peace and hope for the unbeliever's conversion, provided the unbelieving spouse desires to stay married.
1 Corinthians 7 13 Word analysis
- And (καὶ - kai): A connective conjunction, linking this instruction for the wife directly to the preceding instruction for the husband (1 Cor 7:12). It signifies a continuity of the principle.
- if (εἴ τις - ei tis): This conditional particle introduces a hypothetical or specific scenario, not a universal command applicable to all. It sets up the condition under which the following instruction applies.
- a woman (γυνή - gynē): This term broadly means "woman" but in this context refers to a "wife" due to its usage in conjunction with "husband" and the overall discussion of marriage.
- who has (ἔχουσά - echousa): Present active participle, denoting an ongoing state or possession. It emphasizes the existing marital relationship.
- an unbelieving (ἄπιστον - apiston): From Greek 'a' (not) and 'pistos' (faithful, believing). It specifically refers to one who does not believe in Jesus Christ, contrasting with a "believer" (πιστός - pistos). This distinction is fundamental to the counsel provided.
- husband (ἄνδρα - andra): Literally "man," but in a marital context, it refers to "husband." The relationship is clearly defined.
- and he (καὶ αὐτός - kai autos): "And he himself," specifically emphasizing the unbelieving husband's decision.
- agrees (συνευδοκεῖ - syneudokei): This is a key verb, meaning "to be well pleased with," "to consent gladly," "to find pleasure in," or "to approve together." It indicates a willingness, a contentedness, or a shared consent from the unbelieving spouse to maintain the marriage. It’s not just passively staying but actively agreeing to dwell together.
- to live with her (οἰκεῖν αὐτῇ - oikein autē): From 'oikeo', meaning "to dwell," "to inhabit," "to live as in a house." It signifies the act of sharing a common home and continuing the marital relationship.
- let her not (μὴ ἀφιέτω - mē aphietō): A strong negative command using the imperative form with the particle 'mē'. 'aphiemi' means "to send away," "to dismiss," "to divorce," or "to leave." The Christian wife is forbidden from initiating separation or divorce.
1 Corinthians 7 13 Bonus section
Paul’s counsel in 1 Corinthians 7, including verse 13, is largely his Spirit-inspired wisdom concerning matters not explicitly addressed by Jesus during His earthly ministry (compare "I, not the Lord" in 1 Cor 7:12 and "I give my judgment" in 1 Cor 7:25). This guidance reveals the nuance in applying divine truth to complex human relationships. The "peace" referred to in verse 15 (which contrasts with the implied non-initiation of divorce here) indicates that Christian marriage, even a mixed one, should be a relationship characterized by harmony, not by constant strife initiated by the unbeliever that would effectively end the marriage. This passage demonstrates that while the Bible warns against entering unequal yoking (2 Cor 6:14) due to potential spiritual compromise, it commands steadfastness and witness in marriages already in existence at the point of conversion.
1 Corinthians 7 13 Commentary
This verse offers crucial guidance for a specific challenge faced by early Christians: what to do when one spouse converts to Christianity while the other remains an unbeliever. Paul's instruction to the believing wife is unequivocal: if her unbelieving husband is willing and content to continue living with her, she must not initiate a divorce or separation. This directive underscores several profound theological and practical points. Firstly, it respects the divine institution of marriage, echoing Christ's teaching on its indissolubility. Even a mixed marriage, established prior to conversion, is still a valid covenant in God's eyes, not to be easily dissolved by the believing partner. Secondly, it expresses God's redemptive purpose; by remaining in the marriage, the believing wife can become an instrument for her husband's salvation (1 Cor 7:16) and contribute to the spiritual sanctification of their children (1 Cor 7:14). Thirdly, it promotes peace within the home and a testimony to the outside world; initiating divorce without cause could reflect poorly on the Christian faith. The phrase "he agrees to live with her" is paramount, implying a willingness from the unbelieving spouse, without which the dynamic shifts, leading to the "Pauline Privilege" (1 Cor 7:15).
For practical usage, this means:
- A Christian spouse should demonstrate patience and respect within a mixed marriage, if the unbelieving partner desires to remain.
- The primary objective in such a marriage becomes living out Christian principles faithfully as a testimony.
- Seeking avenues for conflict resolution and understanding, even when faith is not shared.