1 Corinthians 7:27
New International Version
Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife.

New Living Translation
If you have a wife, do not seek to end the marriage. If you do not have a wife, do not seek to get married.

English Standard Version
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

Berean Standard Bible
Are you committed to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you free of commitment? Do not look for a wife.

Berean Literal Bible
Have you been bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Have you been loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

King James Bible
Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

New King James Version
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

New American Standard Bible
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

NASB 1995
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

NASB 1977
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

Legacy Standard Bible
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

Amplified Bible
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you unmarried? Do not seek a wife.

Christian Standard Bible
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

American Standard Version
Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

Contemporary English Version
If you are married, stay married. If you are not married, don't try to get married.

English Revised Version
Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Do you have a wife? Don't seek a divorce. Are you divorced from your wife? Don't look for another one.

Good News Translation
Do you have a wife? Then don't try to get rid of her. Are you unmarried? Then don't look for a wife.

International Standard Version
Have you become committed to a wife? Stop trying to get released from your commitment. Have you been freed from your commitment to a wife? Stop looking for one.

Majority Standard Bible
Are you committed to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you free of commitment? Do not look for a wife.

NET Bible
The one bound to a wife should not seek divorce. The one released from a wife should not seek marriage.

New Heart English Bible
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be freed. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

Webster's Bible Translation
Art thou bound to a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

Weymouth New Testament
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to get free. Are you free from the marriage bond? Do not seek for a wife.

World English Bible
Are you bound to a wife? Don’t seek to be freed. Are you free from a wife? Don’t seek a wife.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Have you been bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed; have you been loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

Berean Literal Bible
Have you been bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Have you been loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

Young's Literal Translation
Hast thou been bound to a wife? seek not to be loosed; hast thou been loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

Smith's Literal Translation
Hast thou been bound to a wife? seek not a release. Hast thou been loosed from a wife seek thou not a wife.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Art thou bound to a wife ? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife ? seek not a wife.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be freed. Are you free of a wife? Do not seek a wife.

New American Bible
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek a separation. Are you free of a wife? Then do not look for a wife.

New Revised Standard Version
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
If you are married, do not seek divorce. If you are divorced from a wife, do not seek a wife.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Are you bound with a wife? Do not seek a divorce. Are you divorced from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Are you bound to a wife? Seek not a separation. Are you loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife.

Godbey New Testament
Have you been given to a wife? do not seek separation; have you been separated from a wife? do not seek a wife.

Haweis New Testament
Art thou bound to a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

Mace New Testament
are you contracted to a wife? seek not to be disengag'd, are you disengag'd from your wife? don't look out for another;

Weymouth New Testament
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to get free. Are you free from the marriage bond? Do not seek for a wife.

Worrell New Testament
Have you become bound to a wife? Seek not a release. Have you been loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

Worsley New Testament
for a single man to be so. Art thou bound to a wife indeed? seek not to be loosed: but art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Unmarried and Widowed
26Because of the present crisis, I think it is good for a man to remain as he is. 27Are you committed to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you free of commitment? Do not look for a wife. 28But if you do marry, you have not sinned. And if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.…

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

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.

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

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

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.”

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.

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, ...

Malachi 2:16
“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.

Matthew 19:8-9
Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart. But it was not this way from the beginning. / Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another 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 18:29-30
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God / will fail to receive many times more in this age—and in the age to come, eternal life.”

1 Corinthians 6:16
Or don’t you know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”

Romans 7:1
Do you not know, brothers (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives?

1 Timothy 5:14
So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.


Treasury of Scripture

Are you bound to a wife? seek not to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

thou bound.

1 Corinthians 7:12-14,20
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…

Jump to Previous
Attempt Bond Bound Divorce Free Freed Loosed Marriage Married Released Seek Unmarried Wife
Jump to Next
Attempt Bond Bound Divorce Free Freed Loosed Marriage Married Released Seek Unmarried Wife
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.














Are you bound to a wife?
The phrase "bound to a wife" uses the Greek word "δέδεσαι" (dedesai), which implies a strong, binding commitment, akin to being tied or fastened. In the context of marriage, this binding is not merely a legal contract but a covenantal relationship ordained by God. Historically, marriage in the Jewish and early Christian context was seen as a sacred union, reflecting the covenant between God and His people. This phrase emphasizes the sanctity and seriousness of the marital bond, urging believers to honor their commitments as a reflection of their faithfulness to God.

Do not seek to be released
The Greek word for "released" is "λύσιν" (lusin), which means to be loosed or set free. In the cultural and historical context of Corinth, divorce was not uncommon, and the pressures of a pagan society could lead believers to question their marital commitments. Paul advises against seeking release from marriage, underscoring the importance of perseverance and faithfulness. This counsel aligns with the broader biblical teaching that marriage is a lifelong covenant, and believers are called to uphold it with integrity and dedication.

Are you free of commitment?
The phrase "free of commitment" translates from the Greek "λέλυσαι" (lelusai), meaning to be loosed or unbound. This suggests a state of singleness or being unmarried. In the early church, singleness was often viewed as a viable and honorable state, allowing individuals to focus more fully on their spiritual lives and service to God. Paul acknowledges the value of singleness, recognizing it as a gift that can be used for the Lord's work without the distractions or obligations that marriage might entail.

Do not look for a wife
The Greek word "ζήτει" (zetei) means to seek or strive after. In this context, Paul advises those who are single not to be overly concerned with finding a spouse. This counsel is not a prohibition against marriage but rather an encouragement to prioritize one's relationship with God and to trust in His timing and provision. Historically, the early church faced persecution and uncertainty, and Paul’s advice reflects a pragmatic approach to living a life focused on eternal rather than temporal concerns. This perspective encourages believers to find contentment in their current state, trusting that God’s plans are perfect and His timing is impeccable.

(27) Art thou bound unto a wife?--This is an explanation and re-assertion of the previous words "so to be." Being "loosed from a wife" does not mean a separation after marriage, but simply "unmarried."

Verse 27. - Seek not a wife. It is entirely alien from St. Paul's purpose to take this as an abstract or universal rule. He gives his reasons for it as a temporary necessity.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Are you committed
δέδεσαι (dedesai)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 1210: To bind, tie, fasten; I impel, compel; I declare to be prohibited and unlawful. A primary verb; to bind.

to a wife?
γυναικί (gynaiki)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1135: A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.

{Do} not
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

seek
ζήτει (zētei)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2212: To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot.

to be released.
λύσιν (lysin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3080: Dissolution, release; a loosing, divorce. From luo; a loosening, i.e., divorce.

Are you free
λέλυσαι (lelysai)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 3089: A primary verb; to 'loosen'.

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

[commitment]?
γυναικός (gynaikos)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1135: A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.

{Do} not
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

look for
ζήτει (zētei)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2212: To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot.

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.


Links
1 Corinthians 7:27 NIV
1 Corinthians 7:27 NLT
1 Corinthians 7:27 ESV
1 Corinthians 7:27 NASB
1 Corinthians 7:27 KJV

1 Corinthians 7:27 BibleApps.com
1 Corinthians 7:27 Biblia Paralela
1 Corinthians 7:27 Chinese Bible
1 Corinthians 7:27 French Bible
1 Corinthians 7:27 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 7:27 Are you bound to a wife? Don't (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 7:26
Top of Page
Top of Page