1 Corinthians 7:39

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
Γυνὴ
G1135
The wife
a woman; specially, a wife
#2
δέδεται
G1210
is bound
to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
#3
νόμῳ
G3551
by the law
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
#4
ἐφ'
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
#5
ὅσον
G3745
as
as (much, great, long, etc.) as
#6
χρόνον
G5550
as long
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
#7
ζῇ
G2198
liveth
to live (literally or figuratively)
#8
ὁ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#9
ἀνήρ
G435
her husband
a man (properly as an individual male)
#10
αὐτῆς
G846
her
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
#11
ἐὰν
G1437
if
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
#12
δὲ
G1161
but
but, and, etc
#13
κοιμηθῇ
G2837
be dead
to put to sleep, i.e., (passively or reflexively) to slumber; figuratively, to decease
#14
ὁ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#15
ἀνήρ
G435
her husband
a man (properly as an individual male)
#16
αὐτῆς
G846
her
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
#17
ἐλευθέρα
G1658
at liberty
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
#18
ἐστὶν
G2076
she is
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
#19
ᾧ
G3739
to whom
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#20
θέλει
G2309
she will
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
#21
γαμηθῆναι
G1060
to be married
to wed (of either sex)
#22
μόνον
G3440
only
merely
#23
ἐν
G1722
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#24
κυρίῳ
G2962
the Lord
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 1 Corinthians. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within pastoral letter addressing practical Christian living issues to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 1 Corinthians Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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