1 Corinthians 7:10
And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
Original Language Analysis
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παραγγέλλω
I command
G3853
παραγγέλλω
I command
Strong's:
G3853
Word #:
4 of 14
to transmit a message, i.e., (by implication) to enjoin
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
7 of 14
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος
the Lord
G2962
κύριος
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
9 of 14
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
11 of 14
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
Cross References
Matthew 5:32But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.Luke 16:18Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.Jeremiah 3:20Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the LORD.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.1 Corinthians 7:12But 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.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
Jewish law permitted divorce (Deuteronomy 24:1-4), debated between Hillel's lenient and Shammai's strict interpretations. Roman law allowed easy divorce by mutual consent. Jesus and Paul both taught a more restrictive view, emphasizing marriage's permanence as reflecting God's covenant faithfulness.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Paul emphasize that this command comes from Jesus Himself, not Paul's own judgment?
- How does viewing marriage as permanent covenant rather than contract affect how we approach marital difficulties?
- What might have motivated Corinthian wives to seek divorce for "spiritual" reasons?
Analysis & Commentary
And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord—Paul distinguishes his teaching from direct dominical instruction. The phrase ouk egō alla ho kyrios (οὐκ ἐγὼ ἀλλὰ ὁ κύριος, "not I but the Lord") indicates he is citing Jesus' teaching on divorce (Matthew 5:31-32; 19:3-9; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:18). Let not the wife depart from her husband uses chōristhēnai (χωρισθῆναι, "be separated/divorced").
Paul addresses the wife first, possibly because some Corinthian women sought to leave marriages for ascetic reasons, claiming spiritual superiority in celibacy. The command is absolute: Christian wives must not divorce their husbands. This reflects Jesus' prohibition against divorce except for sexual immorality (Matthew 19:9), though Paul does not mention that exception here.
The seriousness of this command reflects marriage's covenantal nature as reflecting Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:31-32). Divorce violates God's creational design (Genesis 2:24) and His expressed will (Malachi 2:16). Paul will address mixed marriages (believer/unbeliever) separately in verses 12-16, but for Christian couples, the principle is clear: permanence.