1 Corinthians 7:10
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
1 Corinthians 7:10
10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
Chapter Context
1 Corinthians 7 is a pastoral epistle chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of discipleship, mercy, worship. Written during Paul's third missionary journey (c. 55 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: The church existed in a prosperous, cosmopolitan, morally permissive Roman colony.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-40: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it foreshadows Christ's work through typology and prophetic elements. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within 1 Corinthians and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
1 Corinthians 7:10
10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
Analysis
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.
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.
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?
Word Studies
- Lord: Κύριος (Kurios) G2962 - Lord, Master
Cross-References
- References Lord: 1 Corinthians 7:12, 7:25, Jeremiah 3:20
- Parallel theme: 1 Corinthians 7:6, 7:15, Matthew 5:32, Luke 16:18