1 Corinthians 7:39-40
A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. Yet in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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While it's easy to focus on the freedom a widow gains, notice the condition placed on her remarriage: "only in the Lord." This isn't just a suggestion for a "good" marriage; it's a foundational requirement that any new union must be rooted in shared faith in Christ.
Paul is addressing questions the Corinthians sent him, specifically about marriage and singleness. He's been explaining that while singleness has its advantages for devotion to God, marriage is a good gift from Him. This verse clarifies the marital bond and its dissolution through death, offering a practical guideline for those who have lost a spouse.
The Apostle Paul talks about marriage vows, but also about freedom after a spouse's death. What does this binding and releasing mean for us today?
The Lifelong Union
Paul starts by stating a profound truth: a wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. This isn't just a legal contract; it's a reflection of the deep, covenantal love God intends for marriage. It speaks to a commitment that death is the only thing that can dissolve.
Freedom in Christ
But here's the beautiful part: when death does part the couple, the surviving spouse is free. This isn't a sad release, but an opportunity for new life and new choices. However, Paul immediately adds a crucial qualifier: 'only in the Lord.'
What does it truly mean to marry 'only in the Lord'? It's more than just a shared faith; it's about aligning your life with God's purpose.
More Than a Shared Belief
To marry 'in the Lord' means that your union must be centered on Christ and His will. It's not merely about finding someone who also believes in Jesus. It’s about choosing a partner who is committed to following Christ, growing in faith together, and honoring God in your marriage.
A Foundation for Everything
This principle provides a solid foundation for the marriage. When two people are united in Christ, their decisions, their communication, and their future are all filtered through God’s wisdom and love. It means building your home on the Rock, ensuring it can withstand the storms of life.
Understand the original words
dedetai · Greek Verb
To be legally or morally tied to an obligation, person, or covenantal commitment. It implies a binding relationship.
eleuthera · Greek Adjective
A state of release from previous legal, moral, or ritual obligations. In Christian theology, it refers to liberation from the law of sin and death or, in this context, from the marriage covenant upon a spouse's death.
en kyriō · Greek Prepositional Phrase
A standard or boundary indicating that Christian conduct, including marriage, must be consistent with the authority, character, and will of Jesus Christ.
pneuma · Greek Noun
The third person of the Trinity, who indwells, guides, empowers, and sanctifies the believer. The Spirit acts as the internal witness to the truth of God's Word.
Paul’s instruction on marriage and remarriage in Corinth is deeply practical, addressing real life situations within a specific cultural and legal context, while firmly grounding believers in their unique identity and community in Christ.
c. AD 50-52
Paul Founds Church in Corinth
The Apostle Paul spends about eighteen months in Corinth, establishing a vibrant Christian community. This letter is written to address issues arising in this church.
c. AD 55— this verse
Paul Writes 1 Corinthians
From Ephesus, Paul pens this letter to the church in Corinth, responding to reports of divisions, immorality, and doctrinal confusion. He addresses numerous practical matters of Christian living and church order.
Mid-1st Century AD
Roman Legal Norms on Marriage
Roman law generally allowed widows to remarry, though social customs and family pressure could influence decisions. Marriage was often a matter of social and economic stability.
Mid-1st Century AD
Influence of Greco-Roman Philosophy
Various philosophical schools, like Stoicism, had ideas about marriage and relationships, sometimes emphasizing detachment or particular social roles that could subtly influence Corinthian thinking.
This passage echoes the same idea of marital bonds being tied to the lifetime of a spouse, illustrating the legal and relational ties that marriage creates.
Matthew 19:9Jesus speaks about divorce and remarriage, reinforcing the sanctity of marriage and the conditions under which remarriage might be permissible, aligning with the principle of being 'free' after death.
1 Timothy 5:14Paul advises younger widows to marry and bear children, showing that remarriage is a natural and God-honoring path for those who are free, provided it's done with proper intention.
Ephesians 5:31-33This passage describes the profound union of marriage as a reflection of Christ and the church, emphasizing the deep commitment involved which, by extension, is only dissolved by death.
While it's easy to focus on the freedom a widow gains, notice the condition placed on her remarriage: "only in the Lord." This isn't just a suggestion for a "good" marriage; it's a foundational requirement that any new union must be rooted in shared faith in Christ.
Paul is addressing questions the Corinthians sent him, specifically about marriage and singleness. He's been explaining that while singleness has its advantages for devotion to God, marriage is a good gift from Him. This verse clarifies the marital bond and its dissolution through death, offering a practical guideline for those who have lost a spouse.
Paul is addressing questions the Corinthians sent him, specifically about marriage and singleness. He's been explaining that while singleness has its advantages for devotion to God, marriage is a good gift from Him. This verse clarifies the marital bond and its dissolution through death, offering a practical guideline for those who have lost a spouse.
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"A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. Yet in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit…" — While it's easy to focus on the freedom a widow gains, notice the condition placed on her remarriage: "only in the Lord." This isn't just a suggestion for a "good" marriage; it's a foundational req…
