1 Corinthians 7:16

For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

BSB

How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

KJV

For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

ASV

For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O husband, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

BBE

For how may you be certain, O wife, that you will not be the cause of salvation to your husband? or you, O husband, that you may not do the same for your wife?

Original Greek

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τί ti How G5101 γὰρ gar for G1063 οἶδας oidas know you G6063 γύναι gunai wife G1135 εἰ ei if G1487 τὸν ton the G3588 ἄνδρα andra husband G435 σώσεις; sōseis you will save G4982 ἢ ē Or G2228 τί ti how G5101 οἶδας oidas know you G6063 ἄνερ aner husband G435 εἰ ei if G1487 τὴν tēn the G3588 γυναῖκα gunaika wife G1135 σώσεις; sōseis you will save G4982

The early church

"For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thine husband?" This again refers to that expression, "let her not leave him." That is, "if he makes no disturbance, remain," saith he, "for there is even profit in this; remain and advise and give counsel and persuade." For no teacher will have such power to prevail as a wife. And neither, on one hand, doth he lay any necessity upon her and absolutely demand the point of her, that he may not again do what would be too painful; nor, on the other, doth he tell her to despair: but he leaves the matter in suspense through the uncertainty of the future, saying, "For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O husband whether thou shalt save thy wife?"
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

7

Topics

InfluenceWifeHusband

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