1 Corinthians 7:10
New International Version
To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.

New Living Translation
But for those who are married, I have a command that comes not from me, but from the Lord. A wife must not leave her husband.

English Standard Version
To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband

Berean Standard Bible
To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.

Berean Literal Bible
Now to those having married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): A wife is not to be separated from a husband.

King James Bible
And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:

New King James Version
Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband.

New American Standard Bible
But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife is not to leave her husband

NASB 1995
But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband

NASB 1977
But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband

Legacy Standard Bible
But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband

Amplified Bible
But to the married [believers] I give instructions—not I, but the Lord—that the wife is not to separate from her husband,

Christian Standard Bible
To the married I give this command —not I, but the Lord—a wife is not to leave her husband.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I command the married—not I, but the Lord—a wife is not to leave her husband.

American Standard Version
But unto the married I give charge, yea not I, but the Lord, That the wife depart not from her husband

Contemporary English Version
I instruct married couples to stay together, and this is exactly what the Lord himself taught. A wife who leaves her husband

English Revised Version
But unto the married I give charge, yea not I, but the Lord, That the wife depart not from her husband

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I pass this command along (not really I, but the Lord): A wife shouldn't leave her husband.

Good News Translation
For married people I have a command which is not my own but the Lord's: a wife must not leave her husband;

International Standard Version
To married people I give this command (not really I, but the Lord): A wife must not leave her husband.

Majority Standard Bible
To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.

NET Bible
To the married I give this command--not I, but the Lord--a wife should not divorce a husband

New Heart English Bible
But to the married I command--not I, but the Lord--that the wife not leave her husband

Webster's Bible Translation
And to the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:

Weymouth New Testament
But to those already married my instructions are--yet not mine, but the Lord's--that a wife is not to leave her husband;

World English Bible
But to the married I command—not I, but the Lord—that the wife not leave her husband
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and to the married I announce—not I, but the LORD—do not let a wife separate from a husband:

Berean Literal Bible
Now to those having married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): A wife is not to be separated from a husband.

Young's Literal Translation
and to the married I announce -- not I, but the Lord -- let not a wife separate from a husband:

Smith's Literal Translation
And to the married I announce, (not I, but the Lord,) The wife not to be separated from the husband:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But to them that are married, not I but the Lord commandeth, that the wife depart not from her husband.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But to those who have been joined in matrimony, it is not I who commands you, but the Lord: a wife is not to separate from her husband.

New American Bible
To the married, however, I give this instruction (not I, but the Lord): A wife should not separate from her husband

New Revised Standard Version
To the married I give this command—not I but the Lord—that the wife should not separate from her husband
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But those who have wives, I command, yet not I, but my LORD, Let not the wife be separated from her husband;

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But those who have wives, I command, not I but my Lord: A wife should not depart from her husband.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But to the married I give commandment, not I, but the Lord: Let not the wife leave her husband:

Godbey New Testament
But I proclaim to those who have married, not I, but the Lord, That a wife shall not depart from her husband

Haweis New Testament
But to the married not I command, but the Lord, That the wife be not separated from the husband:

Mace New Testament
as to the married, I enjoin this rule, not as from my self, but from the Lord, that a woman should not leave her husband:

Weymouth New Testament
But to those already married my instructions are--yet not mine, but the Lord's--that a wife is not to leave her husband;

Worrell New Testament
And to the married I give command—not I, but the Lord—that the wife depart not from her husband;

Worsley New Testament
But those that are married, not I command, but the Lord, that the wife be not separated from her husband;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Principles of Marriage
9But if they cannot control themselves, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. 10 To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. 11But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.…

Cross References
Matthew 19:6
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

Mark 10:9
Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

Matthew 5:32
But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, brings adultery upon her. And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Mark 10:11-12
So He told them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. / And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”

Luke 16:18
Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Romans 7:2-3
For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. / So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.

Malachi 2:14-16
Yet you ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have broken faith, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. / Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. / “For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “He who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,” says the LORD of Hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith.

Genesis 2:24
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

Ephesians 5:31
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”

Matthew 19:8
Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart. But it was not this way from the beginning.

Deuteronomy 24:1-4
If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds some indecency in her, he may write her a certificate of divorce, hand it to her, and send her away from his house. / If, after leaving his house, she goes and becomes another man’s wife, / and the second man hates her, writes her a certificate of divorce, hands it to her, and sends her away from his house, or if he dies, ...

Matthew 19:3-9
Then some Pharisees came and tested Him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?” / Jesus answered, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ / and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? ...

Mark 10:2-12
Some Pharisees came to test Him. “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” they inquired. / “What did Moses command you?” He replied. / They answered, “Moses permitted a man to write his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away.” ...

Matthew 19:4-6
Jesus answered, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ / and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? / So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

Matthew 19:9
Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”


Treasury of Scripture

And to the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:

yet.

1 Corinthians 7:12,25,40
But 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…

Let.

1 Corinthians 7:15
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.

Jeremiah 3:20
Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the LORD.

Malachi 2:14-16
Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant…

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1 Corinthians 7
1. He discusses marriage;
4. showing it to be a remedy against sinful desires,
10. and that the bond thereof ought not lightly to be dissolved.
20. Every man must be content with his vocation.
25. Virginity wherefore to be embraced;
35. and for what respects we may either marry, or abstain from marrying.














To the married
This phrase addresses those who are in the covenant of marriage, a sacred institution established by God from the beginning of creation (Genesis 2:24). The Greek word for "married" here is "γεγαμηκόσιν" (gegamenkosin), which implies a state of being joined or united. In the historical context of Corinth, marriage was often challenged by cultural norms and pressures, making this directive particularly significant.

I give this command
The apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is providing authoritative instruction. The Greek word "παραγγέλλω" (parangellō) is used, which means to transmit a message or order. This is not merely advice but a directive that carries the weight of apostolic authority.

(not I, but the Lord)
Paul clarifies that this command is not originating from his own opinion but is a direct teaching from Jesus Christ. This distinction emphasizes the divine authority behind the instruction. Historically, this reflects Jesus' teachings on marriage and divorce found in the Gospels, particularly in Matthew 19:6, where Jesus speaks against separating what God has joined together.

A wife must not separate from her husband
The Greek word for "separate" is "χωρισθῆναι" (chōristhēnai), which means to divide or put asunder. This command underscores the permanence and sanctity of the marital bond. In the cultural context of Corinth, where divorce could be initiated by either party, this instruction was countercultural, reinforcing the idea that marriage is a lifelong commitment.

(10) And unto the married . . .--The Apostle has concluded his instruction to the unmarried and widows, and in 1Corinthians 7:10-11 gives his advice to those married persons who had been troubled with doubts as to whether they ought (if marriage were undesirable) to continue in that state.

I command, yet not I, but the Lord.--The contrast which is commenced here, and again brought out in 1Corinthians 7:12, is not between commands given by St. Paul as an inspired Apostle, and St. Paul as a private individual. In 1Corinthians 14:37 the Apostle expressly claims that all his commands as an Apostle should be regarded as "the commandments of the Lord," and in 1Thessalonians 4:15 the Apostle speaks of that knowledge into which he was guided by the Holy Spirit as given "by the word of the Lord." St. Paul must not therefore be regarded as here claiming for some of his instructions apostolic authority, and not claiming it for others. The real point of the contrast is between a subject on which our Lord Himself while on earth gave direct verbal instruction, and another subject on which He now gives His commands through His Apostle St. Paul. Christ had given directions regarding divorce (Matthew 5:31; Matthew 19:3-9; Mark 10:2-12), and the Apostle here has only to reiterate what the Lord had already commanded. . . .

Verse 10. - And; rather, but. Unto the married; to Christians who have already married. I command. This is an injunction, not a mere permission as in ver. 6. Not I, but the Lord. Because the rule had been laid down by Christ himself (Mark 10:11, 12; Matthew 5:32; Matthew 19:6; Luke 16:18). Let not the wife depart. By divorce or otherwise. The wife is mentioned, perhaps, because the Christian wife, in the new sense of dignity and sacredness which Christianity had bestowed upon her, might be led to claim this spurious freedom; or perhaps the Christian women of Corinth had been more impressed than their husbands by the Essene notions of purity. The exception of divorce being permissible in case of fornication is assumed (Matthew 5:32; Matthew 19:9).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
To the
Τοῖς (Tois)
Article - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

married
γεγαμηκόσιν (gegamēkosin)
Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1060: To marry, used of either sex. From gamos; to wed.

I give this command
παραγγέλλω (parangellō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3853: To notify, command, charge, entreat solemnly. From para and the base of aggelos; to transmit a message, i.e. to enjoin.

(not
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

I,
ἐγὼ (egō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

but
ἀλλὰ (alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Lord):
Κύριος (Kyrios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

A wife
γυναῖκα (gynaika)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1135: A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.

must not separate
χωρισθῆναι (chōristhēnai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive
Strong's 5563: From chora; to place room between, i.e. Part; reflexively, to go away.

from
ἀπὸ (apo)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

[her] husband.
ἀνδρὸς (andros)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 435: A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 7:10 But to the married I command--not (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 7:9
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