King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 7:10 Mean?

1 Corinthians 7:10 in the King James Version says “And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:” — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:”

1 Corinthians 7:10 · KJV

Context

8

I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.

9

But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

10

And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:

11

But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

12

But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord—Paul distinguishes his teaching from direct dominical instruction. The phrase ouk egō alla ho kyrios (οὐκ ἐγὼ ἀλλὰ ὁ κύριος, "not I but the Lord") indicates he is citing Jesus' teaching on divorce (Matthew 5:31-32; 19:3-9; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:18). Let not the wife depart from her husband uses chōristhēnai (χωρισθῆναι, "be separated/divorced").

Paul addresses the wife first, possibly because some Corinthian women sought to leave marriages for ascetic reasons, claiming spiritual superiority in celibacy. The command is absolute: Christian wives must not divorce their husbands. This reflects Jesus' prohibition against divorce except for sexual immorality (Matthew 19:9), though Paul does not mention that exception here.

The seriousness of this command reflects marriage's covenantal nature as reflecting Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:31-32). Divorce violates God's creational design (Genesis 2:24) and His expressed will (Malachi 2:16). Paul will address mixed marriages (believer/unbeliever) separately in verses 12-16, but for Christian couples, the principle is clear: permanence.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jewish law permitted divorce (Deuteronomy 24:1-4), debated between Hillel's lenient and Shammai's strict interpretations. Roman law allowed easy divorce by mutual consent. Jesus and Paul both taught a more restrictive view, emphasizing marriage's permanence as reflecting God's covenant faithfulness.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does Paul emphasize that this command comes from Jesus Himself, not Paul's own judgment?
  2. How does viewing marriage as permanent covenant rather than contract affect how we approach marital difficulties?
  3. What might have motivated Corinthian wives to seek divorce for "spiritual" reasons?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 14 words
τοῖς1 of 14
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ2 of 14

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

γεγαμηκόσιν3 of 14

“unto the married”

G1060

to wed (of either sex)

παραγγέλλω4 of 14

“I command”

G3853

to transmit a message, i.e., (by implication) to enjoin

οὐκ5 of 14

“yet not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἐγὼ6 of 14

“I”

G1473

i, me

ἀλλ'7 of 14

“but”

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

ὁ8 of 14
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κύριος9 of 14

“the Lord”

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

γυναῖκα10 of 14

“the wife”

G1135

a woman; specially, a wife

ἀπὸ11 of 14

“from”

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

ἀνδρὸς12 of 14

“her husband”

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

μὴ13 of 14

“not”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

χωρισθῆναι14 of 14

“Let”

G5563

to place room between, i.e., part; reflexively, to go away

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Corinthians 7:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Corinthians 7:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 5:32Luke 16:18Matthew 19:3-9Malachi 2:14-16Mark 10:11-12Jeremiah 3:20

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