1 Corinthians 7:15 kjv
But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
1 Corinthians 7:15 nkjv
But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace.
1 Corinthians 7:15 niv
But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.
1 Corinthians 7:15 esv
But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace.
1 Corinthians 7:15 nlt
(But if the husband or wife who isn't a believer insists on leaving, let them go. In such cases the believing husband or wife is no longer bound to the other, for God has called you to live in peace.)
1 Corinthians 7 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 7:10 | If she is separated, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. | Marriage counsel from Paul |
| 1 Cor 7:11 | If she is separated, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. | Emphasizes reconciliation or remaining single |
| Deut 24:1-4 | Law on divorce and remarriage, protection for women. | Old Testament provision |
| Matt 5:32 | Jesus on divorce, except for sexual immorality. | Jesus' teaching on marriage |
| Matt 19:6 | What God has joined together, let no one separate. | Sanctity of marriage |
| Mark 10:9 | What God has joined together, let no one separate. | Reinforces indissolubility |
| Rom 7:2-3 | A wife is bound by law as long as her husband is alive. | Paul's understanding of marital bonds |
| Rom 12:18 | If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. | Call to peace |
| Gal 5:1 | For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. | Freedom in Christ |
| 1 Pet 3:1-7 | Wives and husbands submit to one another in the Lord; respect for wives. | Household codes, mutual respect |
| Eph 5:22-24 | Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. | Marital roles |
| Eph 5:25 | Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her. | Husband's role and love |
| John 8:36 | So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. | Spiritual freedom |
| Heb 12:14 | Strive for peace with all, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. | Pursuit of peace |
| Gen 2:18 | It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him. | The original intent of companionship |
| Col 3:15 | Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since you were called to peace. | The ruling principle of peace |
| Ps 85:10 | Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. | Attributes of God leading to peace |
| Isa 26:3 | You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you. | Peace based on trust in God |
| Prov 17:1 | Better is a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of riotousness. | Value of peace in the home |
| Luke 10:5-6 | Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ and if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon it. | Blessing of peace |
| Rom 8:15 | you received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by which we cry, “Abba! Father!” | Our adoption into God's family |
| 2 Cor 10:4-5 | The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. | Spiritual warfare, breaking bondage |
1 Corinthians 7 verses
1 Corinthians 7 15 Meaning
God does not want us to live in fear or bondage when a spouse dies. If an unbelieving spouse chooses to leave the believing spouse, the believing spouse is not bound to continue the marriage. Peace in the home is the priority.
1 Corinthians 7 15 Context
This verse is part of Paul's extended discussion on marriage and singleness within the Christian community in Corinth. The Corinthians had written to Paul with questions, and 1 Corinthians 7 addresses these directly. Specifically, this section (verses 10-16) deals with marital issues, including the implications of separation, particularly when one spouse is an unbeliever. The prevailing cultural context in Corinth likely involved diverse views on marriage and family, and the early church was navigating how their faith impacted these existing societal structures. Paul is offering pastoral guidance to help believers live according to God's will within their earthly relationships, seeking to prevent further division or unnecessary distress within the home.
1 Corinthians 7 15 Word Analysis
εἰ δὲ (ei de): "But if." A conjunction introducing a conditional statement.
χέω (cheō): This word (though not directly in the verse) relates to "flowing," and in the context of marriage, separation represents a disruption or a severing of the marital bond's normal flow.
ἀφίστημι (aphistēmi): "to depart from," "to leave," "to desert." In this context, it signifies a willing departure from the marriage by the unbelieving spouse.
τοῦτο (touto): "this." Refers to the situation of separation initiated by the unbelieving spouse.
στέγασμα (stegasmatos): Genitive form of "stegasma," meaning "covering," "roof," or metaphorically, "shelter" or "home." Paul uses this to denote the marital relationship and the resulting unity and peace within the household. The believer is not "covered" or bound by this departed spouse.
τῇ (tē): "the" (feminine singular dative article). Governs "schismati" and "eirēnē."
σχίσματι (schismati): Dative form of "schisma," meaning "division," "schism," or "separation." Refers to the rupture in the marital union.
καλεῖσθαι (kaleisthai): "to be called." The passive infinitive of "kaleō." Indicates that the believer is called to live in peace, a peace that is not hindered by the departed spouse's decision.
ἐν (en): "in." A preposition indicating the sphere or state in which the peace exists.
εἰρήνῃ (eirēnē): "peace." The state of tranquility, harmony, and well-being. God's desire is for His people to live in peace within their domestic spheres, even amidst difficult circumstances like marital separation.
Word-Group Analysis:
- "But if the unbelieving departs...": This highlights the agency of the unbelieving spouse. Their departure is a willful act that breaks the union.
- "...let him depart": This is not an endorsement of divorce, but a recognition of the reality when one partner abandons the covenant. The believing partner should not force the continuation of a relationship that the unbeliever has already fractured.
- "The believing man/woman is not under bondage": This is a key phrase referencing Galatians 5:1. The believer is freed from the obligation to a dissolved union. The "bondage" is the requirement to maintain the marriage covenant despite the other's abandonment, which would deny the peace God desires.
- "God has called us to peace": This provides the rationale and the ultimate goal. The entire situation should be viewed through the lens of God's desire for His children to live in peace, both internally and in their relationships.
1 Corinthians 7 15 Bonus Section
This passage emphasizes that the "bondage" from which the believer is freed is the obligation to a marriage that has been effectively dissolved by the actions of the unbelieving partner. It’s not a license for believers to divorce each other. The call to peace highlights God’s desire for harmony, not division. The freedom granted is primarily freedom from the obligation to a broken covenant when the unbelieving partner is the one severing it. This understanding aligns with the spirit of liberty found in Christ (Galatians 5:1). The hope is always reconciliation, but when that is impossible due to the unbeliever's departure, the believer is not held captive to the dissolution.
1 Corinthians 7 15 Commentary
Paul's instruction here is pragmatic and deeply rooted in God's love and concern for His people's well-being. When an unbelieving spouse initiates a separation, forcing them to stay or forcing the believer to maintain the semblance of a marriage that is practically dissolved leads to strife and violates the principle of peace. The believer is then free to remain unmarried or potentially to remarry (though this is debated and dependent on other interpretations, the immediate point is freedom from the broken union). The overarching call is to seek peace, which in this context means not being unduly burdened or constrained by a relationship that has already been abandoned by one party. This freedom is a grace, allowing the believer to find peace without the guilt of causing a separation or being forced to remain in a state of constant discord. It's important to note this applies to abandonment by an unbelieving spouse, distinguishing it from other marital dissolutions.