King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 7:12 Mean?

1 Corinthians 7:12 in the King James Version says “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 h...” — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

1 Corinthians 7:12 · KJV

Faith

Context

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.

13

And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

14

For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

Read 1 Corinthians 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But to the rest speak I, not the Lord—Paul transitions to a situation Jesus did not explicitly address: mixed marriages between believers and unbelievers. The phrase legō egō, ouch ho kyrios (λέγω ἐγώ, οὐχ ὁ κύριος, "I say, not the Lord") does not diminish Paul's authority; as an apostle, his teaching is inspired. But he distinguishes it from Jesus' direct commands (v. 10).

If any brother hath a wife that believeth not (gunaika apiston, γυναῖκα ἄπιστον, "unbelieving wife") addresses marriages where one spouse converted to Christianity after marriage. Paul's counsel: and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. The conditional syneuddokei (συνευδοκεῖ, "consents/is willing") emphasizes the unbeliever's choice.

This counters any notion that Christians must divorce unbelieving spouses to maintain purity. Paul will explain (v. 14) that the believer's presence sanctifies the relationship, and there is hope for the unbeliever's salvation (v. 16). The believing spouse must honor the marriage covenant unless the unbeliever chooses to leave.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Paul's mission churches inevitably included converts whose spouses remained pagan. Jewish tradition required divorcing foreign wives to maintain covenant purity (Ezra 9-10). Paul's instruction to remain married was radical, reflecting the gospel's power to sanctify rather than requiring separation from the world.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does Paul instruct believers to remain married to unbelievers rather than separate for purity?
  2. What does it mean that the unbeliever must "be pleased" to remain—how should believers respond if pressured to compromise faith?
  3. How does Paul's teaching on mixed marriage reflect the gospel's penetration into pagan households?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
Τοῖς1 of 23
G3588

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

δὲ2 of 23

“But”

G1161

but, and, etc

λοιποῖς3 of 23

“to the rest”

G3062

remaining ones

ἐγὼ4 of 23

“I”

G1473

i, me

λέγω5 of 23

“speak”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

οὐχ6 of 23

“not”

G3756

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

ὁ7 of 23
G3588

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

κύριος·8 of 23

“the Lord”

G2962

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

εἴ9 of 23
G1487

if, whether, that, etc

τις10 of 23
G5100

some or any person or object

ἀδελφὸς11 of 23

“brother”

G80

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

γυναῖκα12 of 23

“a wife”

G1135

a woman; specially, a wife

ἔχει13 of 23

“hath”

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

ἄπιστον14 of 23

“that believeth not”

G571

(actively) disbelieving, i.e., without christian faith (specially, a heathen); (passively) untrustworthy (person), or incredible (thing)

καὶ15 of 23

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

αὐτήν·16 of 23

“her”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

συνευδοκεῖ17 of 23

“be pleased”

G4909

to think well of in common, i.e., assent to, feel gratified with

οἰκεῖν18 of 23

“to dwell”

G3611

to occupy a house, i.e., reside (figuratively, inhabit, remain, inhere); by implication, to cohabit

μετ'19 of 23

“with”

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

αὐτήν·20 of 23

“her”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

μὴ21 of 23

“not”

G3361

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

ἀφιέτω22 of 23

“away”

G863

to send forth, in various applications (as follow)

αὐτήν·23 of 23

“her”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

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 7:12 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 7:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Corinthians 11:171 Corinthians 7:61 Corinthians 7:25Ezra 10:2-3Ezra 10:11-19

Test Your Knowledge

1 Corinthians 7 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Corinthians Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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