1 Corinthians 7:16

1 Corinthians 7:16 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
• New International Version (NIV)How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
• English Standard Version (ESV)For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
• New King James Version (NKJV)For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?

Context of 1 Corinthians 7:16

14For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the brother; since [otherwise] indeed your children are unclean, but now they are holy. 15But if the unbeliever go away, let them go away; a brother or a sister is not bound in such [cases], but God has called us in peace. For what knowest thou, O wife, if thou shalt save thy husband? or what knowest thou, O husband, if thou shalt save thy wife? 17However, as the Lord has divided to each, as God has called each, so let him walk; and thus I ordain in all the assemblies. 18Has any one been called circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised: has any one been called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.

1 Corinthians 7:16 word by word

τί γὰρ οἶδας, γύναι, εἰ τὸν ἄνδρα σώσεις; ἢ τί οἶδας, ἄνερ, εἰ τὴν γυναῖκα σώσεις;Read the interlinear

• wifeγυνήgunē · woman: wifeG1135
• saveσῴζωsōzō · to saveG4982
• husbandἀνήρanēr · man: husbandG435

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 7:16

• 1 Corinthians 9:22I became to the weak, [as] weak, in order that I might gain the weak. To all I have become all things, in order that at all events I might save some.
• Proverbs 11:30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and the wise winneth souls.
• Luke 15:10Thus, I say unto you, there is joy before the angels of God for one repenting sinner.
• 1 Timothy 4:16Give heed to thyself and to the teaching; continue in them; for, doing this, thou shalt save both thyself and those that hear thee.
• James 5:19My brethren, if any one among you err from the truth, and one bring him back,
• 1 Peter 3:1Likewise, wives, [be] subject to your own husbands, that, even if any are disobedient to the word, they may be gained without [the] word by the conversation of the wives,

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 7:16

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16For what knowest thou, O wife - You that are Christians, and who have heathen partners, do not give them up because they are such, for you may become the means of saving them unto eternal life. Bear your cross, and look up to God, and he may give your unbelieving husband or wife to your prayers.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16For what knowest thou … - The apostle here assigns a reason why the believing party should not separate from the other needlessly, or why he should not desire to be separated. The reason is, the possibility, or the probability, that the unbelieving party might be converted by the example and entreaties of the other. Whether then … - How do you know “but” this may be done? Is there not a possibility, nay a probability of it, and is not this a sufficient…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 10-16Verses 10-16 Man and wife must not separate for any other cause than what Christ allows. Divorce, at that time, was very common among both Jews and Gentiles, on very slight pretexts. Marriage is a Divine institution; and is an engagement for life, by God's appointment. We are bound, as much as in us lies, to live peaceably with all men, Ro 12:18, therefore to promote the peace and comfort of our nearest relatives, though unbelievers. It should be the…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16There is always hope that the believing spouse will lead the unbelieving partner to faith in Christ. However, the Greek text is unclear and might also mean there is no guarantee the believing partner will ever convince the unbelieving spouse.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. What knowest thou but that by staying with thy unbelieving partner thou mayest save him or her? Enforcing the precept to stay with the unbelieving consort (1Co 7:12-14). So Ruth the Moabitess became a convert to her husband's faith: and Joseph and Moses probably gained over their wives. So conversely the unbelieving husband may be won by the believing wife (1Pe 3:1) [Calvin]. Or else (1Co 7:15), if thy unbelieving consort wishes to depart, let him go…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 7:16

• Divorce
• Husband
• Influence
• Marriage
• Wife

In the dictionaries

• Abuse
• Attend
• Consent
• Contain
• Distraction
• Loose
• Mercy
• Revelation of Christ
• Snare
• Sorrow

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 7

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings