New English Translation
1 Corinthians 7:16
16For how do you know, wife, whether you will bring your husband to salvation? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will bring your wife to salvation?
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 because of the wife, and the unbelieving wife because of her husband. Otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy. 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. For how do you know, wife, whether you will bring your husband to salvation? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will bring your wife to salvation? 17Nevertheless, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each person, so must he live. I give this sort of direction in all the churches. 18Was anyone called after he had been circumcised? He should not try to undo his circumcision. Was anyone called who is uncircumcised? He should not get circumcised.
Read all of 1 Corinthians 71 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
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 7:16
- 1 Corinthians 9:22To the weak I became weak in order to gain the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that by all means I may save some.
- Proverbs 11:30The fruit of the righteous is like a tree producing life, and the one who wins souls is wise.
- Luke 15:10In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”
- 1 Timothy 4:16Be conscientious about how you live and what you teach. Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.
- James 5:19My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone turns him back,
- 1 Peter 3:1In the same way, wives, be subject to your own husbands. Then, even if some are disobedient to the word, they will be won over without a word by the way you live,
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
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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