Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 7:10
To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses married believers in the Corinthian church while responding to their inquiries about marital conduct. He issues the instruction at a moment when he is distinguishing between personal counsel and direct apostolic authority.
The words — παραγγέλλω (parangellō) literally means "I give a charge," marking the instruction as binding rather than advisory. οὐκ ἐγώ (ouk egō) translates to "not I," explicitly separating the apostle's human voice from the Lord's authoritative command.
The thread — This command runs parallel to Jesus' teaching that divorce initiates adultery (Matthew 5:32; Luke 16:18) and reflects the covenant witness God establishes between spouses (Malachi 2:14).
Why it lands — The text requires married believers to preserve their union and submit to Christ's authority over separation, removing personal preference from the decision.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
Cross-references
- Matthew 5:32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, brings adultery upon her. And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
- Luke 16:18 Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
- Malachi 2:14 Yet you ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have broken faith, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.
- Matthew 19:3 Then some Pharisees came and tested Him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?”
- Mark 10:11 So He told them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her.
- Jeremiah 3:20 But as a woman may betray her husband, so you have betrayed Me, O house of Israel,” declares the LORD.
- 1 Corinthians 7:15 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.
- 1 Corinthians 7:12 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.
- 1 Corinthians 7:6 I say this as a concession, not as a command.
- 1 Corinthians 7:25 Now about virgins, I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.