Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 7:16

What does 1 Corinthians 7:16 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 7:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 7:16 means

Paul tempers expectations by asking, “How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, husband, whether you will save your wife?” He affirms that while the believer’s presence may be a means of grace, salvation is God’s work and cannot be presumed or engineered. This guards against manipulative or despairing efforts in the marriage. The call remains to be faithful, peaceful, and prayerful, without claiming certainty about outcomes. By framing it as a question, Paul encourages humility and trust. One should neither abandon hope nor be bound by false guarantees. God may use a believing spouse, but conversion ultimately rests in His sovereign mercy.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O husband, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O husband, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For how may you be certain, O wife, that you will not be the cause of salvation to your husband? or you, O husband, that you may not do the same for your wife?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for what, hast thou known, O wife, whether the husband thou shalt save? or what, hast thou known, O husband, whether the wife thou shalt save?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? Or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For what knowest thou, O wife, if thou shalt save thy husband? or what knowest thou, O husband, if thou shalt save thy wife?

Context

This rhetorical question concludes Paul’s counsel on mixed-faith marriages (verses 12–16). It balances the hope of sanctifying influence (verse 14) and the permission for peace when abandoned (verse 15). The chapter then shifts in verse 17 to a broader rule that applies beyond marriage—remaining in the life situation in which God called you. Understanding verse 16’s check on expectations helps the reader carry forward the theme of contented faithfulness into the next section, where Paul applies it to circumcision, slavery, and other social conditions.

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.

v.16This passage

v.17Only, as the Lord hath distributed to each man, as God hath called each, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all the churches.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Timothy 4:16

    Take heed to thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these things; for in doing this thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:22

    To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak: I am become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some.

  • Romans 11:14

    if by any means I may provoke to jealousy them that are my flesh, and may save some of them.

  • James 5:19

    My brethren, if any among you err from the truth, and one convert him;

  • Luke 15:10

    Even so, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

  • 1 Peter 3:1

    In like manner, ye wives, bein subjection to your own husbands; that, even if any obey not the word, they may without the word be gained by the behavior of their wives;

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