1 Corinthians 7:12
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.
Original Language Analysis
Τοῖς
G3588
Τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λέγω
speak
G3004
λέγω
speak
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
5 of 23
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος·
the Lord
G2962
κύριος·
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
8 of 23
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ἀδελφὸς
brother
G80
ἀδελφὸς
brother
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
11 of 23
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
ἔχει
hath
G2192
ἔχει
hath
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
13 of 23
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
ἄπιστον
that believeth not
G571
ἄπιστον
that believeth not
Strong's:
G571
Word #:
14 of 23
(actively) disbelieving, i.e., without christian faith (specially, a heathen); (passively) untrustworthy (person), or incredible (thing)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτήν·
her
G846
αὐτήν·
her
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 23
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
συνευδοκεῖ
be pleased
G4909
συνευδοκεῖ
be pleased
Strong's:
G4909
Word #:
17 of 23
to think well of in common, i.e., assent to, feel gratified with
οἰκεῖν
to dwell
G3611
οἰκεῖν
to dwell
Strong's:
G3611
Word #:
18 of 23
to occupy a house, i.e., reside (figuratively, inhabit, remain, inhere); by implication, to cohabit
μετ'
with
G3326
μετ'
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
19 of 23
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
αὐτήν·
her
G846
αὐτήν·
her
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
20 of 23
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
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
21 of 23
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
Cross References
2 Corinthians 11:17That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.1 Corinthians 7:6But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.1 Corinthians 7:25Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Paul instruct believers to remain married to unbelievers rather than separate for purity?
- What does it mean that the unbeliever must "be pleased" to remain—how should believers respond if pressured to compromise faith?
- How does Paul's teaching on mixed marriage reflect the gospel's penetration into pagan households?
Analysis & 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.