1 Corinthians 7:11
But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
Original Language Analysis
ἐὰν
if
G1437
ἐὰν
if
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
1 of 15
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
3 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
χωρισθῇ
she depart
G5563
χωρισθῇ
she depart
Strong's:
G5563
Word #:
4 of 15
to place room between, i.e., part; reflexively, to go away
μενέτω
let her remain
G3306
μενέτω
let her remain
Strong's:
G3306
Word #:
5 of 15
to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καταλλαγήτω
be reconciled
G2644
καταλλαγήτω
be reconciled
Strong's:
G2644
Word #:
10 of 15
to change mutually, i.e., (figuratively) to compound a difference
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Jeremiah 3:1They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD.1 Corinthians 7:10And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
Historical Context
Jewish law allowed husbands to divorce wives (Deuteronomy 24:1) but not vice versa. Roman law permitted wives to initiate divorce. Paul addresses both, maintaining Jesus' standard that neither party should divorce. His insistence on remaining unmarried or reconciling protected divorced women from economic vulnerability while upholding marriage's permanence.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Paul forbid remarriage after divorce, even though separation has occurred?
- What does "reconciliation" involve—how can a divorced couple work toward restoring their covenant?
- How should the church balance upholding marriage permanence with compassion for those in difficult marriages?
Analysis & Commentary
But and if she depart—Paul acknowledges the reality of separation (possibly physical separation short of legal divorce, or divorce that has already occurred). The concessive ean de kai (ἐὰν δὲ καί, "but if indeed") suggests Paul is addressing actual cases in Corinth. He offers two options: let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband.
The command meneto agamos (μενέτω ἄγαμος, "let her remain unmarried") forbids remarriage after divorce, as this would constitute adultery (Matthew 5:32). The alternative, katallage (καταλλαγή, "reconciliation"), is strongly preferred—restoration of the marriage covenant. Both imperatives protect the permanence of marriage: if divorce occurs, the bond is not truly severed.
Paul adds and let not the husband put away his wife (aphienai, ἀφιέναι, "send away/divorce"), using the standard Jewish term for divorce. This repeats the command of verse 10 with emphasis on the husband's responsibility. Paul's repetition underscores that neither spouse may initiate divorce, reflecting Jesus' teaching on marriage's indissolubility.