1 Corinthians 7:15
What does 1 Corinthians 7:15 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 7:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 7:15 means
If the unbelieving spouse insists on separation, Paul says to let them depart. In such cases the believer is “not under bondage,” for God has called us to peace. The Christian is not obligated to force or maintain a hostile union against the other’s will. This protects the conscience and peace of the believer when abandonment occurs. Paul does not encourage initiating separation, but he frees the believer from enslavement to a situation beyond their control. The call to peace guides the response: avoid endless strife, do not weaponize the marriage, and entrust the matter to God. The church is to uphold fidelity and also to shelter the forsaken.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Yet 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Yet 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But if the one who is not a Christian has a desire to go away, let it be so: the brother or the sister in such a position is not forced to do one thing or the other: but it is God's pleasure that we may be at peace with one another.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And, if the unbelieving doth separate himself--let him separate himself: the brother or the sister is not under servitude in such <FI>cases<Fi> , and in peace hath God called us;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But if the unbeliever depart, let him depart. For a brother or sister is not under servitude in such cases. But God hath called us in peace.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But if the unbeliever go away, let them go away; a brother or a sister is not bound in such [cases], butGod has called us in peace.
Context
Following the affirmation of sanctifying influence in verse 14, this verse provides the limit: if the unbelieving spouse departs, the believer is not bound in such cases. It balances the earlier command to stay when the unbeliever is willing. Verse 16 will caution against assuming one can guarantee the other’s salvation. The flow respects both faithfulness and realism: remain when possible, release when necessary, and maintain peace. After concluding the mixed-marriage discussion, Paul will widen the lens in verses 17–24, urging all believers to remain in the condition in which they were called as a general principle.
v.14For 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.
v.15This passage
v.16For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O husband, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Corinthians 13:11
Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfected; be comforted; be of the same mind; live in peace: and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
- James 3:17
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy.
- Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
- Hebrews 12:14
Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord:
- Romans 12:18
If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men.
- 1 Corinthians 14:33
for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,
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