1 Corinthians 7:39 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
1 Corinthians 7:39 kjv
The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 7:39 nkjv
A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 7:39 niv
A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.
1 Corinthians 7:39 esv
A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 7:39 nlt
A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only if he loves the Lord.
1 Corinthians 7 39 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 7:2-3 | For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives... | Legal bond broken by death |
| Mk 10:11-12 | Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery... | Marriage's permanency, except for death |
| Lk 16:18 | Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery... | Similar to Mark, underscoring fidelity |
| Mt 19:6 | So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined... | Divine origin and indissolubility of marriage |
| Eph 5:31 | "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his..." | "One flesh" principle reiterated |
| Gen 2:24 | Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast... | Old Testament foundation of marriage |
| 2 Cor 6:14 | Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership... | Crucial principle for "in the Lord" |
| Deut 7:3 | You shall not intermarry with them; you shall not give your daughters... | Old Testament warning against unequal yoking |
| Ezra 9:1-2 | ...the holy race has mixed itself with the peoples of the lands... | Consequences of intermarriage |
| Neh 13:23-27 | In those days also I saw the Jews who had married women from Ashdod... | Nehemiah's concern over foreign marriages |
| 1 Cor 9:1 | Am I not free? Am I not an apostle?... | Paul's emphasis on freedom and restraint |
| Gal 5:1 | For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not... | Christian freedom, with spiritual limits |
| 1 Pet 3:1-2 | Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands... | Importance of godly living in marriage |
| Heb 13:4 | Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be... | Marriage is to be honored and pure |
| 1 Tim 5:14 | So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their... | Encouragement for younger widows to remarry |
| 1 Thess 4:13 | But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are... | "Sleep" (koimaō) used for death |
| Acts 7:60 | And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord... | "Sleep" also used for Stephen's death |
| Php 4:2 | I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. | Examples of "in the Lord" in context |
| Rom 16:2 | ...receive her in the Lord as befits the saints, and help her... | "In the Lord" meaning "as believers" |
| Col 3:18 | Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. | "In the Lord" implying proper Christian conduct |
| Titus 2:4 | ...they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love... | Godly qualities in a marital relationship |
| Ps 127:1 | Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain... | God's blessing essential for a household |
| Mt 6:33 | But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these... | Priority of God in all decisions, including marriage |
1 Corinthians 7 verses
1 Corinthians 7 39 meaning
A wife's marital commitment is binding and lifelong, lasting only until her husband's death. Upon his death, she is released from that specific covenant. She then possesses the freedom to remarry anyone she desires, provided this new union is formed "in the Lord," meaning with a fellow believer who shares the Christian faith and commitment.
1 Corinthians 7 39 Context
1 Corinthians chapter 7 primarily addresses the Corinthian believers' questions about marriage, singleness, and celibacy, prompted by a prevalent view within the community (perhaps influenced by Stoic or ascetic philosophies) that spiritual superiority lay in abstinence or remaining unmarried. Paul corrects misconceptions while upholding singleness as a commendable choice for those with the gift, emphasizing that marriage is honorable and rightful. He teaches that marriage is binding and intended for lifelong union. Within this larger discussion, this verse specifically clarifies the position of a widow, ensuring that while the bond to her deceased husband is truly broken, her subsequent choices remain governed by her identity and allegiance to Christ. The phrase "in the Lord" is critical as it contrasts with secular norms of marriage for convenience or status, reminding believers their life decisions must align with their faith.
1 Corinthians 7 39 Word analysis
- A wife: (Greek: gyne) Refers to the female spouse, not just any woman. Paul speaks directly about the established marital relationship.
- is bound: (Greek: dedetai) Perfect passive indicative of deō. Conveys a state of being firmly tied or bound by law or obligation. It emphasizes the permanency and legal-covenantal nature of the marriage bond. This binding is both societal and spiritual.
- to her husband: (Greek: tō andri) Refers to her male spouse. This relationship is exclusive.
- as long as he lives: (Greek: eph' hoson chronon zē ho anēr) Clearly defines the temporal boundary of the marital covenant. It is a lifelong commitment between two living individuals. Paul unequivocally states death breaks this bond.
- But if: (Greek: ean de) Introduces a conditional shift, marking the transition from a continuous state to an altered one.
- her husband dies: (Greek: ho anēr koimēthē) Ho anēr is "the husband." Koimēthē (aorist passive subjunctive of koimaō) literally means "falls asleep." This is a common biblical euphemism for the death of a believer, especially in the New Testament, carrying an implication of hope in resurrection, though here it refers to death in general. This term emphasizes the peaceful nature of death in God's plan.
- she is free: (Greek: eleuthera estin) Means "she is at liberty" or "she is free." This legal and relational freedom results from the termination of the prior covenant. She is released from her obligation to the deceased spouse.
- to marry anyone she wishes: (Greek: hō thelei gamēthēnai) Hō thelei means "whom she desires." Gamēthēnai (aorist passive infinitive) means "to be married." This grants personal choice regarding the next partner, signifying autonomy in selecting a new spouse, but crucially, it is immediately qualified.
- only: (Greek: monon) A restrictive adverb, strongly limiting the scope of her freedom. It marks the following condition as an absolute necessity, not merely a preference or suggestion. This term is often underestimated in its significance.
- in the Lord: (Greek: en Kyriō) This is the fundamental, non-negotiable condition. It means the chosen spouse must be a fellow believer in Christ, sharing the same spiritual allegiance and submission to Christ's authority. This phrase permeates Pauline theology, indicating actions or relationships that align with Christian faith and principles. It prohibits a believer from marrying an unbeliever, ensuring spiritual unity and common purpose within the marriage.
1 Corinthians 7 39 Bonus section
The phrase "only in the Lord" reflects a broader biblical principle against forming deeply binding covenants, particularly marital ones, with those outside the community of faith. While Old Testament prohibitions often centered on specific nations and their idolatry (Deut 7:3-4), the New Testament translates this into the context of Christ, requiring spiritual unity in Him. This guideline isn't about legalism, but about protecting the spiritual integrity of the individual and the home. Paul also briefly addressed younger widows in 1 Timothy 5:14, encouraging them to marry, bear children, and manage their households, implicitly expecting these unions to be consistent with their faith in Christ. The concept allows for practical freedom while maintaining an unwavering commitment to one's primary allegiance to Christ, making marital choice a spiritual discernment rather than a mere social one.
1 Corinthians 7 39 Commentary
Paul's instruction to the Corinthians about widowed persons is remarkably direct and balanced. He reiterates the foundational Christian principle of marriage as a lifelong bond, ended only by death, as also seen in Roman 7:2-3. Once a husband dies, the widow is unequivocally released from her marital vows and obligations to him. This provides clarity and peace, removing any spiritual guilt or societal pressure for continued celibacy based on a past union. The profound freedom she is given, "to marry anyone she wishes," underscores her restored autonomy and human desire for companionship. However, this freedom is not boundless; it is tightly circumscribed by the crucial phrase, "only in the Lord." This stipulation elevates the spiritual well-being and unity of the believer over any worldly consideration such as social standing, wealth, or even personal affection divorced from faith. A marriage "in the Lord" implies a shared faith in Jesus Christ, common spiritual values, mutual submission to God's word, and a unified purpose in living for His glory. This command safeguards the Christian's spiritual walk and household by preventing an unequal yoking (2 Cor 6:14), which can introduce significant discord and compromise into one's devotion to Christ. It ensures the marriage serves as a partnership in godliness, an arena for spiritual growth, and a means of raising a Christian family.