1 Corinthians 7:15

Yet if the unbeliever departs, let there be separation. The brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us in peace.

World English Bible
Learn

Your notes

Private to you. Anything you write on this verse, here or while reading, shows up here and in My study.

Other translations

WEBBE

Yet if the unbeliever departs, let there be separation. The brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us in peace.

BSB

But if the unbeliever leaves, let him go. The believing brother or sister is not bound in such cases. God has called you to live in peace.

KJV

But 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.

ASV

Yet if the unbelieving departeth, let him depart: the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such [cases]: but God hath called us in peace.

BBE

But if the one who is not a Christian has a desire to go away, let it be so: the brother or the sister in such a position is not forced to do one thing or the other: but it is God's pleasure that we may be at peace with one another.

Original Greek

Look up a word

Tap a word to see what it means and everywhere else it's used.

εἰ ei If G1487 δὲ de however G1161 ὁ ho the G3588 ἄπιστος apistos unbeliever G571 χωρίζεται chōrizetai separates himself G5563 χωριζέσθω chōrizesthō he should separate himself G5563 οὐ ou not G3756 δεδούλωται dedoulōtai has bee under bondage G1402 ὁ ho the G3588 ἀδελφὸς adelphos brother G80 ἢ ē or G2228 ἡ hē the G3588 ἀδελφὴ adelphē sister G79 ἐν en in G1722 τοῖς tois (the) G3588 τοιούτοις toioutois such [cases] G5108 ἐν en Into G1722 δὲ de however G1161 εἰρήνῃ eirēnē peace G1515 κέκληκεν keklēken has called G2564 ὑμᾶς humas you G4771 ὁ ho (the) G3588 θεός theos God G2316

The early church

"Yet if the unbelieving departeth, let him depart," for in this case the matter is no longer fornication. But what is the meaning of, "if the unbelieving departeth?" For instance, if he bid thee sacrifice and take part in his ungodliness on account of thy marriage, or else part company; it were better the marriage were annulled, and no breach made in godliness. Wherefore he adds, "A brother is not under bondage, nor yet a sister, in such cases." If day by day he buffet thee and keep up combats on this account, it is better to separate. For this is what he glances at, saying, "But God hath called us in peace." For it is the other party who furnished the ground of separation, even as he did who committed uncleanness.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on 1 Corinthians

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 10–16

Man and wife must not separate for any other cause than what Christ allows. Divorce, at that time, was very common among both Jews and Gentiles, on very slight pretexts. Marriage is a Divine institution; and is an engagement for life, by God's appointment. We are bound, as much as in us lies, to live peaceably with all men, Ro 12:18, therefore to promote the peace and comfort of our nearest relatives, though unbelievers. It should be the labour and study of those who are married, to make each other as easy and happy as possible. Should a Christian desert a husband or wife, when there is opportunity to give the greatest proof of love? Stay, and labour heartily for the conversion of thy relative. In every state and relation the Lord has called us to peace; and every thing should be done to promote harmony, as far as truth and holiness will permit.

Read Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 7 →

Cross-references

10

Topics

Meekness

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.