King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 7:39 Mean?

1 Corinthians 7:39 in the King James Version says “The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married ... — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 7:39 · KJV


Context

37

Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.

38

So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.

39

The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

40

But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth—the verb dedetai (δέδεται, "is bound") uses legal marriage-bond language (v. 27; Romans 7:2). Paul reaffirms marriage's permanence: the covenant lasts until death. This echoes Jesus' teaching (Matthew 19:6, "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder") and reflects Genesis 2:24's one-flesh union.

But if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will. The phrase eleuthera estin hō thelei gamēthēnai (ἐλευθέρα ἐστὶν ᾧ θέλει γαμηθῆναι, "she is free to marry whom she wishes") releases widows from the marriage bond. Death severs the covenant, freeing remarriage. Paul qualifies: only in the Lord (monon en kyriō, μόνον ἐν κυρίῳ).

"In the Lord" means marrying a fellow believer. Paul forbids believers marrying unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers"). This protects spiritual faithfulness and family unity. Widows may remarry freely, but only Christians—ensuring shared faith, values, and devotion to Christ.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Widows in the ancient world often faced economic vulnerability, making remarriage necessary for survival. Paul's teaching that widows are "free" to remarry affirmed their dignity and provided security, while the qualification "in the Lord" protected spiritual integrity and Christian household structure.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Paul's teaching on marriage's permanence until death shape Christian views on divorce and remarriage?
  2. What does it mean that widows are "free" to remarry—why does Paul emphasize their liberty?
  3. How does the qualification "only in the Lord" protect widows' spiritual faithfulness and family unity?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 24 words
Γυνὴ1 of 24

The wife

G1135

a woman; specially, a wife

δέδεται2 of 24

is bound

G1210

to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

νόμῳ3 of 24

by the law

G3551

law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat

ἐφ'4 of 24
G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

ὅσον5 of 24

as

G3745

as (much, great, long, etc.) as

χρόνον6 of 24

as long

G5550

a space of time (in general, and thus properly distinguished from g2540, which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from g0165, which denotes a

ζῇ7 of 24

liveth

G2198

to live (literally or figuratively)

8 of 24
G3588

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

ἀνήρ9 of 24

her husband

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

αὐτῆς10 of 24

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

ἐὰν11 of 24

if

G1437

a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty

δὲ12 of 24

but

G1161

but, and, etc

κοιμηθῇ13 of 24

be dead

G2837

to put to sleep, i.e., (passively or reflexively) to slumber; figuratively, to decease

14 of 24
G3588

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

ἀνήρ15 of 24

her husband

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

αὐτῆς16 of 24

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

ἐλευθέρα17 of 24

at liberty

G1658

unrestrained (to go at pleasure), i.e., (as a citizen) not a slave (whether freeborn or manumitted), or (genitive case) exempt (from obligation or lia

ἐστὶν18 of 24

she is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

19 of 24

to whom

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

θέλει20 of 24

she will

G2309

to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),

γαμηθῆναι21 of 24

to be married

G1060

to wed (of either sex)

μόνον22 of 24

only

G3440

merely

ἐν23 of 24

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

κυρίῳ24 of 24

the Lord

G2962

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


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 7:39 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 7:39 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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