1 corinthians 7:10 - But to the married I command—not I, but the Lord—that the wife not leave her husband
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What does "1 corinthians 7:10" mean?
This verse, 1 Corinthians 7:10, is part of Paul's discussion on marriage in the context of the Corinthian church. To break down what it means, we need to consider the context and the specific phrasing used:
"But to the married...": Paul is now addressing those who are already married couples.
"...I command—not I, but the Lord—...": This is the crucial part. Paul emphasizes that the instruction he's about to give is not his personal opinion but a direct command from Jesus himself. The phrase "not I, but the Lord" suggests he's likely referring to a specific teaching of Jesus, possibly the teachings on divorce found in the Gospels (Matthew 5:32, 19:9; Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18). These teachings generally forbid divorce except in cases of sexual immorality.
"...that the wife not leave her husband.": This is the command itself. The wife should not separate from her husband. This is a general prohibition against separation or divorce.
Interpretation and Nuances:
General Principle: The core message is to uphold the sanctity and permanence of marriage. Separation or divorce is strongly discouraged.
Context: The Corinthian church had various problems, including questions about marriage and sexuality. Some members might have been considering separation for various reasons, possibly even on spiritual grounds (e.g., if one partner was an unbeliever).
"Leave" (or "Separate"): The Greek word used here ("chorizo") implies a separation, a going away. It doesn't necessarily specify a legal divorce, but it does mean a living apart.
Possible Scenarios: It's important to remember that Paul is providing general guidance. There might be exceptional circumstances where separation could be necessary or even advisable, such as:
Abuse: Though not explicitly mentioned here, many interpret this and other biblical passages in light of the overarching themes of love, protection, and justice. Abusive situations can put a partner's physical and emotional safety at risk, and separation may be a necessary temporary or even permanent solution.
Abandonment: In verse 15, Paul addresses a situation where an unbelieving spouse chooses to leave a believing spouse. In such a case, the believer is not bound.
Complementary Verse: It's essential to read verse 11 in conjunction: "But if she does leave, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband—and the husband must not leave his wife." This verse acknowledges that separation can happen, but ideally, the separated person should either remain unmarried or reconcile with their spouse.
In Summary:
1 Corinthians 7:10 emphasizes the permanence of marriage, based on Jesus' teachings. It commands wives not to separate from their husbands. However, interpreting this verse requires considering the specific context of the Corinthian church, the overarching principles of love and safety, and the nuances of the Greek word for "leave." It's not a blanket statement that overrides all other considerations, especially in cases of abuse or other extreme circumstances.
1 corinthians 7:10 - But to the married I command—not I, but the Lord—that the wife not leave her husband
What does "1 corinthians 7:10" mean?
This verse, 1 Corinthians 7:10, is part of Paul's discussion on marriage in the context of the Corinthian church. To break down what it means, we need to consider the context and the specific phrasing used:
"But to the married...": Paul is now addressing those who are already married couples.
"...I command—not I, but the Lord—...": This is the crucial part. Paul emphasizes that the instruction he's about to give is not his personal opinion but a direct command from Jesus himself. The phrase "not I, but the Lord" suggests he's likely referring to a specific teaching of Jesus, possibly the teachings on divorce found in the Gospels (Matthew 5:32, 19:9; Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18). These teachings generally forbid divorce except in cases of sexual immorality.
"...that the wife not leave her husband.": This is the command itself. The wife should not separate from her husband. This is a general prohibition against separation or divorce.
Interpretation and Nuances:
General Principle: The core message is to uphold the sanctity and permanence of marriage. Separation or divorce is strongly discouraged.
Context: The Corinthian church had various problems, including questions about marriage and sexuality. Some members might have been considering separation for various reasons, possibly even on spiritual grounds (e.g., if one partner was an unbeliever).
"Leave" (or "Separate"): The Greek word used here ("chorizo") implies a separation, a going away. It doesn't necessarily specify a legal divorce, but it does mean a living apart.
Possible Scenarios: It's important to remember that Paul is providing general guidance. There might be exceptional circumstances where separation could be necessary or even advisable, such as:
Abuse: Though not explicitly mentioned here, many interpret this and other biblical passages in light of the overarching themes of love, protection, and justice. Abusive situations can put a partner's physical and emotional safety at risk, and separation may be a necessary temporary or even permanent solution.
Abandonment: In verse 15, Paul addresses a situation where an unbelieving spouse chooses to leave a believing spouse. In such a case, the believer is not bound.
Complementary Verse: It's essential to read verse 11 in conjunction: "But if she does leave, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband—and the husband must not leave his wife." This verse acknowledges that separation can happen, but ideally, the separated person should either remain unmarried or reconcile with their spouse.
In Summary:
1 Corinthians 7:10 emphasizes the permanence of marriage, based on Jesus' teachings. It commands wives not to separate from their husbands. However, interpreting this verse requires considering the specific context of the Corinthian church, the overarching principles of love and safety, and the nuances of the Greek word for "leave." It's not a blanket statement that overrides all other considerations, especially in cases of abuse or other extreme circumstances.