Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 7:14

What does 1 Corinthians 7:14 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 7:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 7:14 means

Paul explains that the unbelieving husband is “sanctified” in the believing wife, and the unbelieving wife in the believing husband; otherwise the children would be “unclean,” but now they are “holy.” He does not mean the unbeliever is automatically saved, but that the marriage and home are set apart by God’s presence through the believer. The relationship is not polluted; rather, it is dignified under God’s regard. Children in such homes are embraced within the sphere of the church’s care and promise. This counters any fear that faith and family life are incompatible in mixed marriages and encourages believers to remain, trusting God to work through their faithful presence.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the brother: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the brother: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For the husband who has not faith is made holy through his Christian wife, and the wife who is not a Christian is made holy through the brother: if not, your children would be unholy, but now are they holy.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for the unbelieving husband hath been sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife hath been sanctified in the husband; otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the believing wife: and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the believing husband. Otherwise your children should be unclean: but now they are holy.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the brother; since [otherwise] indeed your children are unclean, but now they are holy.

Context

This theological explanation supports the practical counsel of verses 12–13 to remain in mixed-faith marriages when possible. It addresses concerns that association with an unbelieving spouse might defile the believer or the children. With this assurance in place, verse 15 will introduce the principle of peace if the unbelieving spouse chooses to leave. Verse 16 will temper expectations about guaranteed outcomes. Together, these verses form a careful, pastoral response: stay if they are willing, recognizing God’s sanctifying influence; but do not be enslaved if they depart.

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

v.14This passage

v.15Yet 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.

Cross references

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

  • Titus 1:15

    To the pure all things are pure: but to them that are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:15

    Know ye not that your bodies are members of Christ? shall I then take away the members of Christ, and make them members of a harlot? God forbid.

  • 1 Timothy 4:5

    for it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer.

  • Isaiah 52:1

    Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.

  • Ezra 9:1

    Now when these things were done, the princes drew near unto me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.

  • Malachi 2:15

    And did he not make one, although he had the residue of the Spirit? And wherefore one? He sought a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.

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