Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. New Living Translation Now, I will speak to the rest of you, though I do not have a direct command from the Lord. If a fellow believer has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to continue living with him, he must not leave her. English Standard Version 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. Berean Standard Bible To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If a brother has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. Berean Literal Bible Now to the rest I say (I, not the Lord): If any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she consents to dwell with him, let him not send her away. King James Bible 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. New King James Version But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. New American Standard Bible But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. NASB 1995 But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. NASB 1977 But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, let him not send her away. Legacy Standard Bible But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. Amplified Bible To the rest I declare—I, not the Lord [since Jesus did not discuss this]—that if any [believing] brother has a wife who does not believe [in Christ], and she consents to live with him, he must not leave her. Berean Annotated Bible To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord {Kyrios}): If a brother has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. Christian Standard Bible But I (not the Lord) say to the rest: If any brother has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. Holman Christian Standard Bible But I (not the Lord) say to the rest: If any brother has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not leave her. American Standard Version But to the rest say I, not the Lord: If any brother hath an unbelieving wife, and she is content to dwell with him, let him not leave her. Contemporary English Version I don't know of anything else the Lord said about marriage. All I can do is to give you my own advice. If your wife isn't a follower of the Lord, but is willing to stay with you, don't divorce her. English Revised Version But to the rest say I, not the Lord: If any brother hath an unbelieving wife, and she is content to dwell with him, let him not leave her. GOD'S WORD® Translation I (not the Lord) say to the rest of you: If any Christian man is married to a woman who is an unbeliever, and she is willing to live with him, he should not divorce her. Good News Translation To the others I say (I, myself, not the Lord): if a Christian man has a wife who is an unbeliever and she agrees to go on living with him, he must not divorce her. International Standard Version I (not the Lord) say to the rest of you: If a brother has a wife who is an unbeliever and she is willing to live with him, he must not abandon her. NET Bible To the rest I say--I, not the Lord--if a brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is happy to live with him, he should not divorce her. New Heart English Bible But to the rest I--not the Lord--say, if any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is content to live with him, let him not leave her. Webster's Bible Translation But to the rest I speak, not the Lord, if any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she is pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. Weymouth New Testament To the rest it is I who speak--not the Lord. If a brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, let him not send her away. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleTo the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If a brother has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. World English Bible But to the rest I—not the Lord—say, if any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is content to live with him, let him not leave her. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd to the rest I speak—not the LORD—if any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is pleased to dwell with him, do not let him send her away; Berean Literal Bible Now to the rest I say (I, not the Lord): If any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she consents to dwell with him, let him not send her away. Young's Literal Translation And to the rest I speak -- not the Lord -- if any brother hath a wife unbelieving, and she is pleased to dwell with him, let him not send her away; Smith's Literal Translation And to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother have an unbelieving wife, and she assents to dwell with him, let him not send her away. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor to the rest I speak, not the Lord. If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she consent to dwell with him, let him not put her away. Catholic Public Domain Version Concerning the rest, I am speaking, not the Lord. If any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. New American Bible To the rest I say (not the Lord): if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she is willing to go on living with him, he should not divorce her; New Revised Standard Version To the rest I say—I and not the Lord—that if any believer has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut to the rest, I say this, not my LORD: If any brother has a wife who is not a convert, and she wishes to live with him, let him not leave her. Aramaic Bible in Plain English But to others I am saying, not my Lord, if there is a brother who has a wife who is an unbeliever and she is willing to stay with him, let him not leave her. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentBut to the rest, I, and not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife that believes not, and she is well pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. Godbey New Testament But I say to the rest, not the Lord, if any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is willing to live with him, let him not send her away. Haweis New Testament But to the others I speak, not the Lord, If any brother hath a wife unbelieving, yet she chuseth to dwell with him, let him not put her away. Mace New Testament But as to the other cases, which were not decided by the Lord; I say, if any brother has a pagan wife, who likes to live with him, let him not put her away. Weymouth New Testament To the rest it is I who speak--not the Lord. If a brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, let him not send her away. Worrell New Testament But to the rest say I, not the Lord: If any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is pleased to dwell with him, let him not leave her. Worsley New Testament But to the rest say I, not the Lord, If any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she like to dwell with him, let him not put her away. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Principles of Marriage…11But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If a brother has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13And if a woman has an unbelieving husband and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him.… Cross References To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): 1 Corinthians 14:37 If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command. 1 Thessalonians 4:2 For you know the instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 2 Peter 3:15-16 Consider also that our Lord’s patience brings salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom God gave him. / He writes this way in all his letters, speaking in them about such matters. Some parts of his letters are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. If a brother has an unbelieving wife 2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? 1 Peter 3:1-2 Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives / when they see your pure and reverent demeanor. Deuteronomy 7:3-4 Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, / because they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and He will swiftly destroy you. and she is willing to live with him, 1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. Romans 12:18 If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. he must not divorce her. Mark 10:11-12 So He told them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. / And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.” Matthew 19:6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” Luke 16:18 Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. / But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife. 1 Corinthians 7:13-14 And if a woman has an unbelieving husband and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. / For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his believing wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. 1 Corinthians 7:15-16 But if the unbeliever leaves, let him go. The believing brother or sister is not bound in such cases. God has called you to live in peace. / How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? Mark 10:9 Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” Treasury of Scripture But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother has a wife that believes not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. speak. 1 Corinthians 7:6,25 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment… 2 Corinthians 11:17 That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. If. Ezra 10:2,3,11-19 And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing… Jump to Previous Believer Believeth Christian Consents Content Desire Divorce Dwell Live Pleased Rest Speak Unbeliever Unbelieving Wife WillingJump to Next Believer Believeth Christian Consents Content Desire Divorce Dwell Live Pleased Rest Speak Unbeliever Unbelieving Wife Willing1 Corinthians 7 1. He discusses marriage;4. showing it to be a remedy against sinful desires, 10. and that the bond thereof ought not lightly to be dissolved. 20. Every man must be content with his vocation. 25. Virginity wherefore to be embraced; 35. and for what respects we may either marry, or abstain from marrying. To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): In this phrase, Paul distinguishes between his own apostolic guidance and a direct command from Jesus. This does not imply that Paul's words lack authority; rather, it highlights that Jesus did not specifically address this situation during His earthly ministry. Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, provides guidance for circumstances not directly covered by Jesus' teachings. This reflects the early church's need to address new issues as the Gospel spread to diverse cultures. If a brother has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of 1 Corinthians, addressing issues within the Corinthian church. 2. Corinth A major city in ancient Greece, known for its diverse population and moral challenges, where the early church faced various issues. 3. The Corinthian Church The recipients of Paul's letter, dealing with questions about marriage and relationships. 4. Believers and Unbelievers Refers to Christians and those who do not share the Christian faith, particularly in the context of marriage. 5. Marriage The institution being discussed, especially concerning mixed-faith unions. Teaching Points Paul's Apostolic AuthorityPaul clarifies that this advice is from him, not a direct command from the Lord, yet it carries apostolic authority and wisdom. Sanctity of Marriage Marriage is to be honored, even in mixed-faith situations, as long as the unbelieving spouse is willing to remain. Witness Through Marriage A believing spouse can be a powerful witness to their unbelieving partner through love, patience, and godly conduct. Commitment and Stability Christians are called to uphold their marital commitments, fostering stability and peace within the family unit. Grace and Patience Believers should exercise grace and patience, trusting God to work in the hearts of their unbelieving spouses. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 7:12?2. How does 1 Corinthians 7:12 guide marriage with an unbelieving spouse today? 3. What does "not from the Lord" mean in 1 Corinthians 7:12? 4. How does 1 Corinthians 7:12 relate to 2 Corinthians 6:14 on marriage? 5. How can believers apply 1 Corinthians 7:12 in maintaining marital harmony? 6. What role does faith play in marriage according to 1 Corinthians 7:12? 7. What does 1 Corinthians 7:12 mean by "I, not the Lord"? 8. How does 1 Corinthians 7:12 address marriage with unbelievers? 9. Why does Paul distinguish his advice from the Lord's in 1 Corinthians 7:12? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 7? 11. How does 1 Corinthians 7:12–16 reconcile with other biblical passages that permit divorce only for adultery? 12. Is trial separation in marriage supported by the Bible? 13. What role does Satan play in the Bible? 14. Should Christians marry non-believers? What Does 1 Corinthians 7:12 Mean To the rest I say thisPaul shifts from advice to the unmarried (1 Corinthians 7:8–9) and to married believers (v. 10–11) to address a new group—mixed marriages where one spouse has come to faith. By writing “the rest,” he signals he has a specific audience in mind beyond the earlier categories. Similar narrowing of focus appears in verses like 1 Timothy 5:1–2, where Paul distinguishes different relational groups within the church. • This orderly approach shows pastoral care: each situation receives tailored guidance, just as Jesus addressed varied listeners in Matthew 5–7. • It also reminds readers that God’s Word is sufficient for every life circumstance (2 Timothy 3:16). (I, not the Lord) Paul is not downgrading his words. He simply notes that Jesus, during His earthly ministry, did not directly teach on marriages where only one partner is a believer (compare Matthew 19:3–9 and Mark 10:11–12, which spoke to marriages between two Jews). The apostle now provides Spirit-inspired instruction (1 Corinthians 7:40, “I believe that I too have the Spirit of God”), adding authoritative guidance to complete the biblical witness. • Just as Moses recorded fresh revelation beyond the patriarchs’ experience (Exodus 20), Paul extends Christ’s teaching to new scenarios arising in the Gentile mission. • The statement underscores progressive revelation while affirming that “no prophecy of Scripture comes from the will of man” (2 Peter 1:21). If a brother has an unbelieving wife The scenario assumes a Christian man already married when he believed, echoing Acts 16:31–34 where a household comes to faith at different moments. Scripture never commands a believer to marry an unbeliever (2 Corinthians 6:14), yet it recognizes that conversions inside existing marriages create mixed unions. • 1 Peter 3:1 describes a similar dynamic when a believing wife lives with an unbelieving husband, showing God’s concern for both genders in mixed marriages. • This reality invites the believing spouse to be a living testimony at home (Matthew 5:16). She is willing to live with him The unbelieving wife’s willingness signals a peaceful coexistence. Paul later adds, “God has called you to peace” (1 Corinthians 7:15). The believer is not to force separation but to honor the spouse’s openness. • Romans 12:18 urges believers, “If it is possible…live at peace with everyone,” and marriage is the closest arena for that command. • Such patience mirrors Hosea’s faithful love toward Gomer, demonstrating covenant grace even amid spiritual disparity. He must not divorce her The directive is clear and binding: stay married. Marriage remains a covenant God hates to see broken (Malachi 2:16). Jesus affirmed, “What God has joined together, let man not separate” (Matthew 19:6), and Paul applies that timeless principle here. • The command protects the sanctity of marriage and the unbelieving spouse’s opportunity to experience salvation through daily witness (1 Corinthians 7:16). • It also safeguards any children in the union, who are considered “holy” in the sense of covenant privilege (v. 14). summary Paul’s counsel in 1 Corinthians 7:12 extends Christ’s teaching to believers married to unbelievers: remain committed if the unbelieving partner desires to stay. This Spirit-guided command upholds the permanence of marriage, promotes household peace, and opens a path for the unbelieving spouse and children to encounter the gospel through the believing partner’s faithful love. (12) But to the rest.--Up to this point the writer has alluded only to Christians; he has spoken of the duties of unmarried persons, of widows, and of those already married. There still remains one class of marriages concerning which differences of opinion existed--viz., mixed marriages. In a church like Corinth there would have been, no doubt, many cases where one of the partners was a heathen and the other a Christian, arising from the subsequent conversion of only one of the married couple. This subject is treated of in 1Corinthians 7:12-16. The words are emphatically, "If any man have already a wife," &c. The case of a Christian marrying a heathen is not alluded to. In 2Corinthians 6:14, the marriage of a Christian to a heathen is forbidden.Speak I, not the Lord.--The Apostle has no word of Christ's to quote on this point, it being one which did not arise during our Lord's life. (See Note on 1Corinthians 7:10.) It is to be noticed that the Apostle, in giving his own apostolic instruction on this point, does not use the word "command," which he applied to our Lord's teaching, but the less authoritative "speak." A wife that believeth not.--That is, a heathen. In some modern religious circles this whole passage has been used (as also 2Corinthians 6:14) as if by "unbeliever" St. Paul meant a careless Christian, or one who, in modern phraseology, was not "converted." The Apostle is referring under this designation to heathens, and the only case to which his teaching could now or ever apply would be when two heathens had been married, and subsequently only one had embraced the Christian faith. It is to be noticed that both here and in 1Corinthians 7:13 the being "pleased to dwell" is put only in reference to the partner who is a heathen, for the Apostle takes for granted that after the instructions he here gives to the Christian partner, no such desire for separation will arise on the part of a Christian. . . . Verses 12-16. - Directions about mixed marriages. Verse 12. - To the rest. That is, to those who are married, but are heathen. They were the remaining class about whose duties the Corinthians had made inquiry. Not the Lord. The Lord had made no express reference to such cases, since it had been no part of his mission to lay down minute details which would be duly settled from age to age by the wisdom taught by the Holy Ghost. She be pleased to dwell with him. It is assumed that, if she did not please, the poor Christian convert would have no protection of his fights; pagan courts would regard conversion as a sufficient reason for breaking off marriages.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek To theΤοῖς (Tois) Article - Dative Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. rest λοιποῖς (loipois) Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural Strong's 3062: Left, left behind, the remainder, the rest, the others. Masculine plural of a derivative of leipo; remaining ones. I ἐγώ (egō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. say this λέγω (legō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ([I,] not οὐχ (ouch) Adverb Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Lord): Κύριος (Kyrios) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master. If εἴ (ei) Conjunction Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. a τις (tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. brother ἀδελφὸς (adelphos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 80: A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote. has ἔχει (echei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. an unbelieving ἄπιστον (apiston) Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 571: (passively) untrustworthy (person), or incredible (thing). wife γυναῖκα (gynaika) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 1135: A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. she αὕτη (hautē) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it. is willing συνευδοκεῖ (syneudokei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 4909: From sun and eudokeo; to think well of in common, i.e. Assent to, feel gratified with. to live οἰκεῖν (oikein) Verb - Present Infinitive Active Strong's 3611: To inhabit, dwell, indwell. From oikos; to occupy a house, i.e. Reside; by implication, to cohabit. with μετ’ (met’) Preposition Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives. him, αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. he must not divorce ἀφιέτω (aphietō) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 863: From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications. her. αὐτήν (autēn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. Links 1 Corinthians 7:12 NIV1 Corinthians 7:12 NLT 1 Corinthians 7:12 ESV 1 Corinthians 7:12 NASB 1 Corinthians 7:12 KJV 1 Corinthians 7:12 BibleApps.com 1 Corinthians 7:12 Biblia Paralela 1 Corinthians 7:12 Chinese Bible 1 Corinthians 7:12 French Bible 1 Corinthians 7:12 Catholic Bible NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 7:12 But to the rest I--not the Lord--say (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) |
    |