1 Corinthians 7:10-12
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse isn't just Paul offering advice; he's directly relaying Jesus' own teaching on marriage. Notice how he emphasizes "not I, but the Lord," underscoring that this command for a wife not to separate from her husband carries the absolute authority of Christ himself. This makes the idea of divorce or separation far more serious than just a personal choice between two people.
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. 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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is addressing a multitude of questions from the Corinthian church, particularly concerning marriage and singleness. Following his teaching on the benefits of remaining single (if possible), he now turns to those who are married, clarifying God's clear directive for them to stay together and not to initiate separation. This instruction is rooted not in Paul's personal opinion, but in the Lord's own teaching.
Ever wonder who makes the rules in marriage? Paul weighs in, and it's not just his opinion.
Paul is addressing the Corinthian church, a place known for its moral and relational chaos. He brings a divine perspective to marital disputes, specifically concerning separation.
A Direct Word from Jesus
When Paul says, "not I, but the Lord," he's distinguishing his apostolic instruction from a direct teaching of Jesus Himself. He's referencing Jesus' own words or the clear implication of His teaching about the sanctity of marriage.
Grounded in God's Design
This isn't Paul trying to be rigid; it's a call to uphold the covenantal nature of marriage as established by God. Separation, or 'putting away,' was a contentious issue, and Jesus Himself addressed it in Matthew 19:6, stating, "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate." This underlines that marriage is a divine union, not merely a human contract that can be easily dissolved.
Paul gives a specific instruction here. What does it mean for a wife not to separate from her husband?
The core of Paul's charge here is to maintain the unity of the marital relationship. He specifically addresses the wife, perhaps due to cultural sensitivities or specific issues arising in Corinth.
Preserving the Union
Ask a follow-up
The instruction "the wife should not separate from her husband" is a call to actively work towards reconciliation and preservation of the marriage. It implies that even in times of difficulty or disagreement, the default posture should be to stay together and seek resolution within the marriage.
Beyond a Simple 'Don't Leave'
This isn't just about physical separation; it’s about emotional and spiritual separation too. It’s a call to maintain fidelity, commitment, and the shared life that God intended for a married couple. While the context doesn't dismiss legitimate reasons for separation (like abuse, which is understood from broader biblical principles), it establishes a strong presumption against it, rooted in the nature of the marital covenant.
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.
apistos · Greek Adjective
One who lacks faith in Jesus Christ; a person outside the covenant community of the church. In the context of marriage, it describes a spouse who does not share the believer's faith.
Paul grounds his instruction on marriage in the Lord's authority, not just his own, addressing practical concerns arising from the church's unique social context in a bustling Roman city.
c. AD 50-52
Paul's Ministry in Corinth
The Apostle Paul spends about 18 months in Corinth, establishing the church and ministering to its diverse population.
c. AD 53-55— this verse
Paul's Letter to the Corinthians
Paul writes his first letter to the church in Corinth from Ephesus, addressing various issues, including marriage and relationships.
c. AD 55
Paul's Second Visit to Corinth
Paul makes a more painful visit to Corinth, likely dealing with deeper divisions and misunderstandings within the church.
Jesus echoes the Old Testament principle that God has joined husband and wife, making their union sacred and not to be broken by human decree.
Ephesians 5:31-33This passage expands on the profound, Christ-like love that should characterize a marriage, highlighting the deep unity and commitment expected between spouses.
1 Corinthians 7:12-16Paul addresses the specific situation of mixed-faith marriages, reinforcing the idea that believers should not initiate separation if an unbelieving spouse is willing to stay, preserving the marriage bond.
Malachi 2:14-16The Old Testament prophet Malachi condemns the betrayal of marriage vows, emphasizing that God detests divorce and the infidelity that often leads to it, underscoring the sanctity of the marital covenant.
This verse isn't just Paul offering advice; he's directly relaying Jesus' own teaching on marriage. Notice how he emphasizes "not I, but the Lord," underscoring that this command for a wife not to separate from her husband carries the absolute authority of Christ himself. This makes the idea of divorce or separation far more serious than just a personal choice between two people.
Paul is addressing a multitude of questions from the Corinthian church, particularly concerning marriage and singleness. Following his teaching on the benefits of remaining single (if possible), he now turns to those who are married, clarifying God's clear directive for them to stay together and not to initiate separation. This instruction is rooted not in Paul's personal opinion, but in the Lord's own teaching.
Paul is addressing a multitude of questions from the Corinthian church, particularly concerning marriage and singleness. Following his teaching on the benefits of remaining single (if possible), he now turns to those who are married, clarifying God's clear directive for them to stay together and not to initiate separation. This instruction is rooted not in Paul's personal opinion, but in the Lord's own teaching.
"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. To the…" — This verse isn't just Paul offering advice; he's directly relaying Jesus' own teaching on marriage. Notice how he emphasizes "not I, but the Lord," underscoring that this command for a wife not to…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
