1 Corinthians 7:39
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.
Original Language Analysis
δέδεται
is bound
G1210
δέδεται
is bound
Strong's:
G1210
Word #:
2 of 24
to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
νόμῳ
by the law
G3551
νόμῳ
by the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
3 of 24
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
ἐφ'
G1909
ἐφ'
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
4 of 24
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
χρόνον
as long
G5550
χρόνον
as long
Strong's:
G5550
Word #:
6 of 24
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
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῆς
her
G846
αὐτῆς
her
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 24
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
ἐὰν
if
G1437
ἐὰν
if
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
11 of 24
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
κοιμηθῇ
be dead
G2837
κοιμηθῇ
be dead
Strong's:
G2837
Word #:
13 of 24
to put to sleep, i.e., (passively or reflexively) to slumber; figuratively, to decease
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῆς
her
G846
αὐτῆς
her
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 24
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
ἐλευθέρα
at liberty
G1658
ἐλευθέρα
at liberty
Strong's:
G1658
Word #:
17 of 24
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
ᾧ
to whom
G3739
ᾧ
to whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
19 of 24
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
θέλει
she will
G2309
θέλει
she will
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
20 of 24
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
Cross References
1 Corinthians 7:10And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:1 Corinthians 7:15But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.Malachi 2:11Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god.
Historical Context
Widows in the ancient world often faced economic vulnerability, making remarriage necessary for survival. Paul's teaching that widows are "free" to remarry affirmed their dignity and provided security, while the qualification "in the Lord" protected spiritual integrity and Christian household structure.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's teaching on marriage's permanence until death shape Christian views on divorce and remarriage?
- What does it mean that widows are "free" to remarry—why does Paul emphasize their liberty?
- How does the qualification "only in the Lord" protect widows' spiritual faithfulness and family unity?
Analysis & Commentary
The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth—the verb dedetai (δέδεται, "is bound") uses legal marriage-bond language (v. 27; Romans 7:2). Paul reaffirms marriage's permanence: the covenant lasts until death. This echoes Jesus' teaching (Matthew 19:6, "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder") and reflects Genesis 2:24's one-flesh union.
But if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will. The phrase eleuthera estin hō thelei gamēthēnai (ἐλευθέρα ἐστὶν ᾧ θέλει γαμηθῆναι, "she is free to marry whom she wishes") releases widows from the marriage bond. Death severs the covenant, freeing remarriage. Paul qualifies: only in the Lord (monon en kyriō, μόνον ἐν κυρίῳ).
"In the Lord" means marrying a fellow believer. Paul forbids believers marrying unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers"). This protects spiritual faithfulness and family unity. Widows may remarry freely, but only Christians—ensuring shared faith, values, and devotion to Christ.