Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 7:12

What does 1 Corinthians 7:12 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 7:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 7:12 means

Paul now addresses believers married to unbelievers. Without a direct command from the Lord’s earthly teaching on this specific case, he gives his authoritative apostolic counsel: if the unbelieving spouse is willing to live with the believer, the believer should not leave. Conversion does not annul prior marriage vows. Grace sustains faithfulness even in unequal yoking, provided the unbeliever consents to stay. This stance resists a false spiritualism that would dissolve mixed marriages in the name of purity. Instead, the believer’s presence may be a means of blessing. The marriage remains valid, and the believer’s calling is to live peaceably and faithfully within it, trusting God’s purposes.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But to the rest say I, not the Lord: If any brother hath an unbelieving wife, and she is content to dwell with him, let him not leave her.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But to the rest say I, not the Lord: If any brother hath an unbelieving wife, and she is content to dwell with him, let him not leave her.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But to the rest I say, and not the Lord; If a brother has a wife who is not a Christian, and it is her desire to go on living with him, let him not go away from her.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And to the rest I speak--not the Lord--if any brother hath a wife unbelieving, and she is pleased to dwell with him, let him not send her away;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For to the rest I speak, not the Lord. If any brother hath a wife that believeth not and she consent to dwell with him: let him not put her away.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But as to the rest, I say, not the Lord, If any brother have an unbelieving wife, and she consent to dwell with him, let him not leave her.

Context

Having just upheld marital permanence among believers (verses 10–11), Paul turns to “the rest”—those in mixed-faith marriages. He clarifies that he is not repeating a specific command from Jesus’ earthly ministry but giving Spirit-guided judgment. Verse 13 mirrors this counsel for believing wives. Verses 14–16 will explain the sanctifying influence within such homes and the principle of peace if the unbeliever insists on leaving. This flow shows Paul’s pastoral breadth: he neither dissolves mixed marriages nor binds believers in situations where the unbeliever departs, honoring both holiness and peace.

v.11(but should she depart, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband); and that the husband leave not his wife.

v.12This passage

v.13And the woman that hath an unbelieving husband, and he is content to dwell with her, let her not leave her husband.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ezra 10:11

    Now therefore make confession unto Jehovah, the God of your fathers, and do his pleasure; and separate yourselves from the peoples of the land, and from the foreign women.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:17

    That which I speak, I speak not after the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of glorying.

  • Ezra 10:2

    And Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have married foreign women of the peoples of the land: yet now there is hope for Israel concerning this thing.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:25

    Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: but I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be trustworthy.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:6

    But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment.

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