CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Corinthians 7:12 To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If a brother has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/7-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/46_1Co_07_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Corinthians 7:12 - Principles of Marriage" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If a brother has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_corinthians/7-12.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_corinthians/7-12.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_corinthians/">1 Corinthians</a> > <a href="/1_corinthians/7.htm">Chapter 7</a> > Verse 12</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad12.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-11.htm" title="1 Corinthians 7:11">◄</a> 1 Corinthians 7:12 <a href="/1_corinthians/7-13.htm" title="1 Corinthians 7:13">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/7.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/7.htm">New International Version</a> To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. <a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/7.htm">New Living Translation</a> Now, I will speak to the rest of you, though I do not have a direct command from the Lord. If a fellow believer has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to continue living with him, he must not leave her. <a href="/esv/1_corinthians/7.htm">English Standard Version</a> To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. <a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If a brother has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. <a href="/blb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Now to the rest I say (I, not the Lord): If any brother has an unbelieving wife and she consents to dwell with him, let him not divorce her. <a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/7.htm">King James Bible</a> But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. <a href="/nkjv/1_corinthians/7.htm">New King James Version</a> But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. <a href="/nasb_/1_corinthians/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. <a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/7.htm">NASB 1995</a> But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. <a href="/nasb77/1_corinthians/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a> But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, let him not send her away. <a href="/lsb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. <a href="/amp/1_corinthians/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a> To the rest I declare—I, not the Lord [since Jesus did not discuss this]—that if any [believing] brother has a wife who does not believe [in Christ], and she consents to live with him, he must not leave her. <a href="/csb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But I (not the Lord) say to the rest: If any brother has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. <a href="/hcsb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But I (not the Lord) say to the rest: If any brother has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not leave her. <a href="/asv/1_corinthians/7.htm">American Standard Version</a> But to the rest say I, not the Lord: If any brother hath an unbelieving wife, and she is content to dwell with him, let him not leave her. <a href="/cev/1_corinthians/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> I don't know of anything else the Lord said about marriage. All I can do is to give you my own advice. If your wife isn't a follower of the Lord, but is willing to stay with you, don't divorce her. <a href="/erv/1_corinthians/7.htm">English Revised Version</a> But to the rest say I, not the Lord: If any brother hath an unbelieving wife, and she is content to dwell with him, let him not leave her. <a href="/gwt/1_corinthians/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> I (not the Lord) say to the rest of you: If any Christian man is married to a woman who is an unbeliever, and she is willing to live with him, he should not divorce her. <a href="/gnt/1_corinthians/7.htm">Good News Translation</a> To the others I say (I, myself, not the Lord): if a Christian man has a wife who is an unbeliever and she agrees to go on living with him, he must not divorce her. <a href="/isv/1_corinthians/7.htm">International Standard Version</a> I (not the Lord) say to the rest of you: If a brother has a wife who is an unbeliever and she is willing to live with him, he must not abandon her. <a href="/msb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If a brother has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. <a href="/net/1_corinthians/7.htm">NET Bible</a> To the rest I say--I, not the Lord--if a brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is happy to live with him, he should not divorce her. <a href="/nheb/1_corinthians/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But to the rest I--not the Lord--say, if any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is content to live with him, let him not leave her. <a href="/wbt/1_corinthians/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But to the rest I speak, not the Lord, if any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she is pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. <a href="/wey/1_corinthians/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> To the rest it is I who speak--not the Lord. If a brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, let him not send her away. <a href="/web/1_corinthians/7.htm">World English Bible</a> But to the rest I—not the Lord—say, if any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is content to live with him, let him not leave her. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_corinthians/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And to the rest I speak—not the LORD—if any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is pleased to dwell with him, do not let him send her away; <a href="/blb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Now to the rest I say (I, not the Lord): If any brother has an unbelieving wife and she consents to dwell with him, let him not divorce her. <a href="/ylt/1_corinthians/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And to the rest I speak -- not the Lord -- if any brother hath a wife unbelieving, and she is pleased to dwell with him, let him not send her away; <a href="/slt/1_corinthians/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother have an unbelieving wife, and she assents to dwell with him, let him not send her away.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For to the rest I speak, not the Lord. If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she consent to dwell with him, let him not put her away. <a href="/cpdv/1_corinthians/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Concerning the rest, I am speaking, not the Lord. If any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. <a href="/nabre/1_corinthians/7.htm">New American Bible</a> To the rest I say (not the Lord): if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she is willing to go on living with him, he should not divorce her; <a href="/nrsvce/1_corinthians/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> To the rest I say—I and not the Lord—that if any believer has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_corinthians/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But to the rest, I say this, not my LORD: If any brother has a wife who is not a convert, and she wishes to live with him, let him not leave her. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_corinthians/7.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But to others I am saying, not my Lord, if there is a brother who has a wife who is an unbeliever and she is willing to stay with him, let him not leave her.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/1_corinthians/7.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But to the rest, I, and not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife that believes not, and she is well pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. <a href="/godbey/1_corinthians/7.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> But I say to the rest, not the Lord, if any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is willing to live with him, let him not send her away. <a href="/haweis/1_corinthians/7.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> But to the others I speak, not the Lord, If any brother hath a wife unbelieving, yet she chuseth to dwell with him, let him not put her away. <a href="/mace/1_corinthians/7.htm">Mace New Testament</a> But as to the other cases, which were not decided by the Lord; I say, if any brother has a pagan wife, who likes to live with him, let him not put her away. <a href="/wey/1_corinthians/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> To the rest it is I who speak--not the Lord. If a brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, let him not send her away. <a href="/worrell/1_corinthians/7.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> But to the rest say I, not the Lord: If any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is pleased to dwell with him, let him not leave her. <a href="/worsley/1_corinthians/7.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> But to the rest say I, not the Lord, If any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she like to dwell with him, let him not put her away. <a href="/parallel/1_corinthians/7-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g-wZWoK_LZU?start=1255" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Principles of Marriage</a> …11But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife. 12<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Tois (Art-DMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">To the</a> <a href="/greek/3062.htm" title="3062: loipois (Adj-DMP) -- Left, left behind, the remainder, the rest, the others. Masculine plural of a derivative of leipo; remaining ones.">rest</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: egō (PPro-N1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">I</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legō (V-PIA-1S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">say this</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouch (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">(I, not</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2962.htm" title="2962: Kyrios (N-NMS) -- Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.">Lord):</a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">If</a> <a href="/greek/5100.htm" title="5100: tis (IPro-NMS) -- Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.">a</a> <a href="/greek/80.htm" title="80: adelphos (N-NMS) -- A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.">brother</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echei (V-PIA-3S) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">has</a> <a href="/greek/571.htm" title="571: apiston (Adj-AFS) -- (passively) untrustworthy (person), or incredible (thing).">an unbelieving</a> <a href="/greek/1135.htm" title="1135: gynaika (N-AFS) -- A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.">wife</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: hautē (PPro-NFS) -- This; he, she, it. ">she</a> <a href="/greek/4909.htm" title="4909: syneudokei (V-PIA-3S) -- From sun and eudokeo; to think well of in common, i.e. Assent to, feel gratified with.">is willing</a> <a href="/greek/3611.htm" title="3611: oikein (V-PNA) -- To inhabit, dwell, indwell. From oikos; to occupy a house, i.e. Reside; by implication, to cohabit.">to live</a> <a href="/greek/3326.htm" title="3326: met’ (Prep) -- (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives. ">with</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">him,</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether."></a> <a href="/greek/863.htm" title="863: aphietō (V-PMA-3S) -- From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.">he must not divorce</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autēn (PPro-AF3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">her.</a> 13And if a woman has an unbelieving husband and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-10.htm">1 Corinthians 7:10-11</a> To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. / But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife. <a href="/1_corinthians/7-13.htm">1 Corinthians 7:13-14</a> And if a woman has an unbelieving husband and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. / For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his believing wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. <a href="/1_corinthians/7-15.htm">1 Corinthians 7:15-16</a> But if the unbeliever leaves, let him go. The believing brother or sister is not bound in such cases. God has called you to live in peace. / How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? <a href="/matthew/19-6.htm">Matthew 19:6</a> So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” <a href="/mark/10-9.htm">Mark 10:9</a> Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” <a href="/romans/7-2.htm">Romans 7:2-3</a> For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. / So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man. <a href="/2_corinthians/6-14.htm">2 Corinthians 6:14</a> Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? <a href="/ephesians/5-31.htm">Ephesians 5:31-32</a> “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” / This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church. <a href="/matthew/5-32.htm">Matthew 5:32</a> But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, brings adultery upon her. And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. <a href="/malachi/2-15.htm">Malachi 2:15-16</a> Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. / “For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “He who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,” says the LORD of Hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith. <a href="/deuteronomy/24-1.htm">Deuteronomy 24:1-4</a> If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds some indecency in her, he may write her a certificate of divorce, hand it to her, and send her away from his house. / If, after leaving his house, she goes and becomes another man’s wife, / and the second man hates her, writes her a certificate of divorce, hands it to her, and sends her away from his house, or if he dies, ... <a href="/ezra/10-2.htm">Ezra 10:2-3</a> Then Shecaniah son of Jehiel, an Elamite, said to Ezra: “We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the people of the land, yet in spite of this, there is hope for Israel. / So now let us make a covenant before our God to send away all the foreign wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the command of our God. Let it be done according to the Law. <a href="/nehemiah/13-23.htm">Nehemiah 13:23-27</a> In those days I also saw Jews who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. / Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or of the other peoples, but could not speak the language of Judah. / I rebuked them and called down curses on them. I beat some of these men and pulled out their hair. Then I made them take an oath before God and said, “You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or for yourselves! ... <a href="/genesis/2-24.htm">Genesis 2:24</a> For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. <a href="/matthew/19-8.htm">Matthew 19:8-9</a> Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart. But it was not this way from the beginning. / Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother has a wife that believes not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.speak.<a href="/1_corinthians/7-6.htm">1 Corinthians 7:6,25</a> But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment… <a href="/2_corinthians/11-17.htm">2 Corinthians 11:17</a> That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.If.<a href="/ezra/10-2.htm">Ezra 10:2,3,11-19</a> And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/romans/16-10.htm">Believer</a> <a href="/romans/14-2.htm">Believeth</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-17.htm">Christian</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-13.htm">Consents</a> <a href="/romans/12-16.htm">Content</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-9.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-11.htm">Divorce</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-16.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/romans/14-11.htm">Live</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/5-2.htm">Pleased</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-2.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-6.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-8.htm">Unbeliever</a> <a href="/acts/14-2.htm">Unbelieving</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-11.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-19.htm">Willing</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_corinthians/7-13.htm">Believer</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-13.htm">Believeth</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-13.htm">Christian</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-13.htm">Consents</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-13.htm">Content</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-13.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-13.htm">Divorce</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-13.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-13.htm">Live</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-13.htm">Pleased</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-29.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-35.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-13.htm">Unbeliever</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-13.htm">Unbelieving</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-14.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-13.htm">Willing</a><div class="vheading2">1 Corinthians 7</div>1. <a href="/1_corinthians/7-1.htm">He discusses marriage;</a> 4. <a href="/1_corinthians/7-4.htm">showing it to be a remedy against sinful desires,</a> 10. <a href="/1_corinthians/7-10.htm">and that the bond thereof ought not lightly to be dissolved.</a> 20. <a href="/1_corinthians/7-20.htm">Every man must be content with his vocation.</a> 25. <a href="/1_corinthians/7-25.htm">Virginity wherefore to be embraced;</a> 35. <a href="/1_corinthians/7-35.htm">and for what respects we may either marry, or abstain from marrying.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/7.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_corinthians/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): In this phrase, Paul distinguishes between his own apostolic guidance and a direct command from Jesus. This does not imply that Paul's words lack authority; rather, it highlights that Jesus did not specifically address this situation during His earthly ministry. Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, provides guidance for circumstances not directly covered by Jesus' teachings. This reflects the early church's need to address new issues as the Gospel spread to diverse cultures.If a brother has an unbelieving wife The term "brother" refers to a Christian man, indicating that the early church included believers who were married to non-believers. This situation likely arose as individuals converted to Christianity while their spouses did not. The cultural context of Corinth, a cosmopolitan city with diverse religious practices, would have made such mixed marriages common. The challenge of maintaining a Christian household in a pagan environment is a central concern here.and she is willing to live with him, This phrase emphasizes the importance of mutual consent and willingness in the marriage relationship. The wife's willingness to remain with her Christian husband suggests a level of respect and harmony, even amidst differing beliefs. This reflects the broader biblical principle of peace and unity within the family, as seen in <a href="/romans/12-18.htm">Romans 12:18</a>, which encourages believers to live peaceably with all.he must not divorce her. Paul advises against divorce in this situation, aligning with the broader biblical teaching on the sanctity and permanence of marriage (<a href="/matthew/19-6.htm">Matthew 19:6</a>). This instruction underscores the potential for the believing spouse to positively influence the unbelieving partner, as seen in <a href="/1_peter/3.htm">1 Peter 3:1-2</a>. The call to maintain the marriage also reflects the hope that the unbelieving spouse might come to faith through the witness of the believing partner.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of 1 Corinthians, addressing issues within the Corinthian church. 2. <a href="/topical/c/corinth.htm">Corinth</a> A major city in ancient Greece, known for its diverse population and moral challenges, where the early church faced various issues. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_corinthian_church.htm">The Corinthian Church</a> The recipients of Paul's letter, dealing with questions about marriage and relationships. 4. <a href="/topical/b/believers_and_unbelievers.htm">Believers and Unbelievers</a> Refers to Christians and those who do not share the Christian faith, particularly in the context of marriage. 5. <a href="/topical/m/marriage.htm">Marriage</a> The institution being discussed, especially concerning mixed-faith unions.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/p/paul's_apostolic_authority.htm">Paul's Apostolic Authority</a> Paul clarifies that this advice is from him, not a direct command from the Lord, yet it carries apostolic authority and wisdom. <a href="/topical/s/sanctity_of_marriage.htm">Sanctity of Marriage</a> Marriage is to be honored, even in mixed-faith situations, as long as the unbelieving spouse is willing to remain. <a href="/topical/w/witness_through_marriage.htm">Witness Through Marriage</a> A believing spouse can be a powerful witness to their unbelieving partner through love, patience, and godly conduct. <a href="/topical/c/commitment_and_stability.htm">Commitment and Stability</a> Christians are called to uphold their marital commitments, fostering stability and peace within the family unit. <a href="/topical/g/grace_and_patience.htm">Grace and Patience</a> Believers should exercise grace and patience, trusting God to work in the hearts of their unbelieving spouses.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_corinthians_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 7</a> <a href="/q/how_does_1_cor_7_12-16_allow_divorce.htm">How does 1 Corinthians 7:12–16 reconcile with other biblical passages that permit divorce only for adultery? </a> <a href="/q/does_the_bible_support_trial_separation.htm">Is trial separation in marriage supported by the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_christianity's_apostolic_age.htm">What role does Satan play in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/should_christians_marry_non-believers.htm">Should Christians marry non-believers?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_corinthians/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) But to the rest.--Up to this point the writer has alluded only to Christians; he has spoken of the duties of unmarried persons, of widows, and of those already married. There still remains one class of marriages concerning which differences of opinion existed--viz., mixed marriages. In a church like Corinth there would have been, no doubt, many cases where one of the partners was a heathen and the other a Christian, arising from the subsequent conversion of only one of the married couple. This subject is treated of in <a href="/context/1_corinthians/7-12.htm" title="But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother has a wife that believes not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.">1Corinthians 7:12-16</a>. The words are emphatically, "If any man have already a wife," &c. The case of a Christian marrying a heathen is not alluded to. In <a href="/2_corinthians/6-14.htm" title="Be you not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion has light with darkness?">2Corinthians 6:14</a>, the marriage of a Christian to a heathen is forbidden.Speak I, not the Lord.--The Apostle has no word of Christ's to quote on this point, it being one which did not arise during our Lord's life. (See Note on <a href="/1_corinthians/7-10.htm" title="And to the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:">1Corinthians 7:10</a>.)It is to be noticed that the Apostle, in giving his own apostolic instruction on this point, does not use the word "command," which he applied to our Lord's teaching, but the less authoritative "speak."A wife that believeth not.--That is, a heathen. In some modern religious circles this whole passage has been used (as also <a href="/2_corinthians/6-14.htm" title="Be you not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion has light with darkness?">2Corinthians 6:14</a>) as if by "unbeliever" St. Paul meant a careless Christian, or one who, in modern phraseology, was not "converted." The Apostle is referring under this designation to heathens, and the only case to which his teaching could now or ever apply would be when two heathens had been married, and subsequently only one had embraced the Christian faith. It is to be noticed that both here and in <a href="/1_corinthians/7-13.htm" title="And the woman which has an husband that believes not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.">1Corinthians 7:13</a> the being "pleased to dwell" is put only in reference to the partner who is a heathen, for the Apostle takes for granted that after the instructions he here gives to the Christian partner, no such desire for separation will arise on the part of a Christian. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_corinthians/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 12-16. - Directions about mixed marriages. Verse 12. - To the rest. That is, to those who are married, but are heathen. They were the remaining class about whose duties the Corinthians had made inquiry. Not the Lord. The Lord had made no express reference to such cases, since it had been no part of his mission to lay down minute details which would be duly settled from age to age by the wisdom taught by the Holy Ghost. She be pleased to dwell with him. It is assumed that, if she did not please, the poor Christian convert would have no protection of his fights; pagan courts would regard conversion as a sufficient reason for breaking off marriages. <a href="/commentaries/1_corinthians/7-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>To the Τοῖς (Tois) Article - Dative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. rest λοιποῖς (loipois) Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3062.htm">Strong's 3062: </a> Left, left behind, the remainder, the rest, the others. Masculine plural of a derivative of leipo; remaining ones. I ἐγώ (egō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. say this λέγω (legō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ([I,] not οὐχ (ouch) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Lord): Κύριος (Kyrios) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2962.htm">Strong's 2962: </a> Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master. If εἴ (ei) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. a τις (tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5100.htm">Strong's 5100: </a> Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. brother ἀδελφὸς (adelphos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_80.htm">Strong's 80: </a> A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote. has ἔχει (echei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. an unbelieving ἄπιστον (apiston) Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_571.htm">Strong's 571: </a> (passively) untrustworthy (person), or incredible (thing). wife γυναῖκα (gynaika) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1135.htm">Strong's 1135: </a> A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. she αὕτη (hautē) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. is willing συνευδοκεῖ (syneudokei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4909.htm">Strong's 4909: </a> From sun and eudokeo; to think well of in common, i.e. Assent to, feel gratified with. to live οἰκεῖν (oikein) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_3611.htm">Strong's 3611: </a> To inhabit, dwell, indwell. From oikos; to occupy a house, i.e. Reside; by implication, to cohabit. with μετ’ (met’) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_3326.htm">Strong's 3326: </a> (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives. him, αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. he must not divorce ἀφιέτω (aphietō) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_863.htm">Strong's 863: </a> From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications. her. αὐτήν (autēn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/7-12.htm">1 Corinthians 7:12 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/7-12.htm">1 Corinthians 7:12 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_corinthians/7-12.htm">1 Corinthians 7:12 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/7-12.htm">1 Corinthians 7:12 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/7-12.htm">1 Corinthians 7:12 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_corinthians/7-12.htm">1 Corinthians 7:12 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_corinthians/7-12.htm">1 Corinthians 7:12 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_corinthians/7-12.htm">1 Corinthians 7:12 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_corinthians/7-12.htm">1 Corinthians 7:12 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_corinthians/7-12.htm">1 Corinthians 7:12 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-12.htm">NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 7:12 But to the rest I--not the Lord--say (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Corinthians 7:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 7:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Corinthians 7:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 7:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>