1 Corinthians 7:10-11
To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Even though Paul is giving this instruction, he's careful to say it's not just his personal opinion, but a command from the Lord. This highlights that Jesus himself placed immense value on the permanence of marriage, giving His authority to the principle that spouses should stay together.
Paul is addressing the specific questions and issues raised by the Corinthian church, and here he tackles the topic of marriage and divorce. Having just advised single people and the widowed on the benefits of remaining unmarried, he now turns to those who are already married, urging them to remain together and not to initiate separation. This instruction is grounded in Jesus' own teaching, highlighting the sacred commitment within marriage.
Paul is laying down some pretty direct instructions about marriage here. But who's really in charge?
Paul begins by stating, 'To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord)'. This is HUGE! He's not just offering his personal opinion or a cultural suggestion. He's relaying a command directly from Jesus Himself. This elevates the instruction beyond mere advice to a divine imperative. When we look at God's design for marriage, it's rooted in His authority, not human tradition or preference. This means His commands about marriage carry the weight of His own character and will.
In a world where separation is often the first resort, what does Scripture say about the bond between husband and wife?
Paul's command, 'the wife should not separate from her husband,' speaks volumes about the sanctity of the marital covenant. This isn't about enforcing a rigid, unhappy situation, but about upholding the profound union God designed. Marriage is intended to be a reflection of Christ's unbreakable relationship with the Church. Therefore, separation is to be considered a grave matter, not to be undertaken lightly. The emphasis here is on preserving the covenant, seeking reconciliation, and honoring the 'one flesh' reality that marriage represents.
Understand the original words
parangellō · Greek Verb/Noun
A formal instruction, command, or imperative given with authority, often implying a duty to be fulfilled.
chōrizō · Greek Verb
The act of ending a marriage or moving away from a spouse, which is contrary to the creation order of the marital union as a permanent covenant.
katallasseto · Greek Verb
To be restored to a state of harmony, favor, or agreement. Biblically, it refers to the cessation of hostility between two parties, often used regarding humanity's relationship with God or the restoration of fractured human relationships.
aphieto · Greek Verb
A legal or formal dissolution of a marriage covenant. In biblical teaching, it is generally discouraged, emphasizing the permanence and sanctity of the marriage bond instituted by God.
The church in Corinth was a melting pot of cultures and beliefs, situated in a bustling Roman port city known for its varied social norms. Paul's letter addresses how the new Christian faith should navigate these complex social realities, offering guidance rooted in Christ's teachings.
c. AD 40-45
Apostle Paul's First Missionary Journey
Paul, accompanied by Barnabas, travels through Asia Minor, establishing churches in cities like Antioch, Lystra, and Derbe. This period sees the early spread of Christianity beyond its Jewish roots.
c. AD 49
Council of Jerusalem
A pivotal meeting where church leaders decide that Gentile converts do not need to follow all Mosaic Law, including circumcision. This decision significantly shapes the inclusion of non-Jews into the Christian faith.
c. AD 50-52— this verse
Paul's Ministry in Corinth
Paul spends about eighteen months in Corinth, a major Roman port city, founding the church there. He encounters a diverse population with various social customs and challenges.
c. AD 55
Writing of 1 Corinthians
Paul writes this letter from Ephesus to address serious issues within the Corinthian church, including divisions, immorality, and questions about Christian conduct and doctrine, such as marriage.
This passage echoes Jesus' foundational teaching on marriage, stating that 'what God has joined together, let no one separate,' directly supporting the principle of marital unity Paul emphasizes.
Ephesians 5:33Paul elaborates on the husband-wife relationship, urging husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church and wives to respect their husbands, reinforcing the mutual respect and commitment essential to staying together.
1 Peter 3:7Peter instructs husbands to live with their wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker partner and heir with them of the grace of life, highlighting the importance of considerate and respectful partnership.
Malachi 2:16This Old Testament prophet condemns divorce, declaring that God hates it and that a man who divorces his wife 'covers his garment with violence,' underscoring the ancient prohibition against separating from one's spouse.
Even though Paul is giving this instruction, he's careful to say it's not just his personal opinion, but a command from the Lord. This highlights that Jesus himself placed immense value on the permanence of marriage, giving His authority to the principle that spouses should stay together.
Paul is addressing the specific questions and issues raised by the Corinthian church, and here he tackles the topic of marriage and divorce. Having just advised single people and the widowed on the benefits of remaining unmarried, he now turns to those who are already married, urging them to remain together and not to initiate separation. This instruction is grounded in Jesus' own teaching, highlighting the sacred commitment within marriage.
Paul is addressing the specific questions and issues raised by the Corinthian church, and here he tackles the topic of marriage and divorce. Having just advised single people and the widowed on the benefits of remaining unmarried, he now turns to those who are already married, urging them to remain together and not to initiate separation. This instruction is grounded in Jesus' own teaching, highlighting the sacred commitment within marriage.
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"To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife." — Even though Paul is giving this instruction, he's careful to say it's not just his personal opinion, but a command from the Lord. This highlights that Jesus himself placed immense value on the perm…
