New English Translation
1 Corinthians 7:10
10To the married I give this command – not I, but the Lord – a wife should not divorce a husband
1 Corinthians 7:10 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
- New International Version (NIV)To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.
- English Standard Version (ESV)To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband
- New King James Version (NKJV)Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband.
Context of 1 Corinthians 7:10
8To the unmarried and widows I say that it is best for them to remain as I am. 9But if they do not have self-control, let them get married. For it is better to marry than to burn with sexual desire. To the married I give this command – not I, but the Lord – a wife should not divorce a husband 11(but if she does, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband), and a husband should not divorce his wife. 12To 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.
Read all of 1 Corinthians 71 Corinthians 7:10 word by word
Τοῖς δὲ γεγαμηκόσιν παραγγέλλω οὐκ ἐγὼ ἀλλ᾽ ὁ κύριος, γυναῖκα ἀπὸ ἀνδρὸς μὴ χωρισθῆναι·Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Andδέde · thenG1161
- unto the marriedγαμέωgameō · to marryG1060
- I commandπαραγγέλλωparaggellō · to orderG3853
- notοὐou · noG3756
- Iἐγώegō · I/weG1473
- butἀλλάalla · butG235
- the Lordὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962
- Let notμήmē · notG3361
- the wifeγυνήgunē · woman: wifeG1135
- departχωρίζωchōrizō · to separate/leaveG5563
- fromἀπόapo · away fromG575
- husbandἀνήρanēr · man: husbandG435
Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 7:10
- 1 Corinthians 7:12To 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.
- 1 Corinthians 7:15But if the unbeliever wants a divorce, let it take place. In these circumstances the brother or sister is not bound. God has called you in peace.
- Jeremiah 3:20But, you have been unfaithful to me, nation of Israel, like an unfaithful wife who has left her husband,” says the Lord.
- Malachi 2:14Yet you ask, “Why?” The Lord is testifying against you on behalf of the wife you married when you were young, to whom you have become unfaithful even though she is your companion and wife by law.
- Matthew 5:32But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
- Matthew 19:6So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
- Mark 10:11So he told them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.
- Luke 16:18“Everyone who divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery, and the one who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.
Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 7:10
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 10I command, yet not I, but the Lord - I do not give my own private opinion or judgment in this case; for the Lord Jesus commands that man shall not put asunder them whom God hath joined, Matthew 5:32; Matthew 19:6. And God has said the same, Genesis 2:24. The following extracts will prove that the law among the Jews was very loose relative to the firmness of the marriage bond: - A woman might put away or depart from her husband by giving this simple reason…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 10And unto the married - This verse commences the second subject of inquiry; to wit, whether it was proper, in the existing state of things, for those who were married to continue this relation, or whether they ought to separate. The reasons why any may have supposed that it was best to separate, may have been: (1)That their troubles and persecutions might be such that they might judge it best that families should be broken up; and, (2)Probably many…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. 10-11Paul advises Christian couples considering divorce. not I, but the Lord: This does not mean Paul's other instructions (see 1 Corinthians 7:12, 25, 40) have less authority. It means this advice is based on known teachings of Jesus (see Matthew 5:32; 19:9; Mark 10:11–12; Luke 16:18). But if she does: Paul recognizes that some couples struggle to live together, but even then, they must honor their marriage vows and remain faithful to their spouse alone (see…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1010. not I, but the Lord--(Compare 1Co 7:12, 25, 40). In ordinary cases he writes on inspired apostolic authority (1Co 14:37); but here on the direct authority of the Lord Himself (Mr 10:11, 12). In both cases alike the things written are inspired by the Spirit of God "but not all for all time, nor all on the primary truths of the faith" [Alford]. Let not the wife depart--literally, "be separated from." Probably the separation on either side, whether owing…Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Corinthians 7:10
In the dictionaries
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
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