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Interpretation of 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 on Marriage and Divorce

First Corinthians 7:10-11 addresses the permanence of marriage within the Christian community, specifically stating: "To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, let her remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife" [1]. The Tyndale translation renders verse 11 as: "Yf she separate her selfe let her remayne vnmaryed or be reconciled vnto her husbande agayne. And let not the husbande put awaye his wyfe from him" [2].

This passage is part of Paul's broader response to questions posed by the Corinthian church regarding marriage and celibacy [9, 10]. The chapter begins with the statement, "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations" (1 Corinthians 7:1), which some scholars interpret as reflecting a Corinthian perspective that Paul then addresses and qualifies [9]. Paul's overall counsel in 1 Corinthians 7 emphasizes that while celibacy can be ideal for Christian service, marriage is also honorable and necessary for many [6, 9].

In verses 10-11, Paul distinguishes between his own advice and a direct command from the Lord [12]. This indicates that the counsel given here is rooted in known teachings of Jesus concerning divorce [7]. These teachings are found in the Gospels, such as Matthew 5:32, Matthew 19:9, Mark 10:11-12, and Luke 16:18 [3, 7]. Jesus's teachings generally limited the permission of divorce to the case of adultery, contrasting with the more lenient interpretations common among Jews of his time, who sometimes divorced for "very slight pretences" [4, 5].

The phrase "not I, but the Lord" (1 Corinthians 7:10) highlights that Paul is relaying a specific command from Jesus, rather than offering his own inspired apostolic authority, as he does elsewhere in the chapter (e.g., 1 Corinthians 7:12, 25, 40) [7, 12]. This does not diminish the authority of Paul's other instructions, but rather emphasizes the direct divine origin of this particular prohibition against divorce [7].

The passage explicitly forbids both the wife from separating from her husband and the husband from divorcing his wife [1]. The Greek word for "separate" (χωρισθῆναι, choristhēnai) in verse 10 and "depart" in some translations of verse 11 (ἀφιέναι, aphienai) implies a permanent break or divorce [1, 2]. However, Paul acknowledges the reality that separations might occur, even among Christians. In such cases, he instructs that if a wife "does depart," she must "remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband" [1]. This instruction underscores the sanctity of the marriage covenant, even in the event of a separation, by prohibiting remarriage and encouraging reconciliation [7]. The "Treasury of Scripture Knowledge" cross-references 1 Corinthians 7:10 with Jeremiah 3:20 and Malachi 2:14, which speak to marital faithfulness and covenant [3].

Matthew Henry notes that this paragraph addresses a common issue in the early church, particularly among Jewish converts, regarding whether they should remain married to unbelieving spouses [8]. While Moses's law permitted divorce, and there was a historical precedent for putting away idolatrous wives (Ezra 10:3), Paul's instruction here, derived from the Lord's teaching, emphasizes the enduring nature of the marriage bond [4, 8]. The prohibition against divorce is presented as a general rule for Christian couples [7].

The broader context of 1 Corinthians 7 also includes Paul's advice to those married to unbelievers, where he states that if the unbelieving spouse chooses to depart, the Christian is "not enslaved" (1 Corinthians 7:15). This is often referred to as the "Pauline privilege" and is seen as a specific exception to the general rule against divorce, applicable when an unbelieving spouse initiates the separation [11]. However, verses 10-11 specifically address Christian couples, emphasizing the ideal of marital permanence and reconciliation [7].

Sources

  1. 1 Corinthians “(but if she departs, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband not leave his wife. -- 1 Corinthians 7:11”
  2. I Corinthians “I Corinthians 7:11 (Tyndale) — Yf she separate her selfe let her remayne vnmaryed or be reconciled vnto her husbande agayne. And let not the husbande put awaye his wyfe from him.”
  3. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “1 Corinthians 7:10 cross-references: Jeremiah 3:20, Malachi 2:14, Matthew 5:32, Matthew 19:3, Mark 10:11, Luke 16:18, 1 Corinthians 7:6, 1 Corinthians 7:12, 1 Corinthians 7:15, 1 Corinthians 7:25, 1 Corinthians 7:40”
  4. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Divorce — The dissolution of the marriage tie was regulated by the Mosaic law (Deut. 24:1-4). The Jews, after the Captivity, were reguired to dismiss the foreign women they had married contrary to the law (Ezra 10:11-19). Christ limited the permission of divorce to the single case of adultery. It seems that it was not uncommon for the Jews at that time to dissolve the union on very slight pretences (Matt. 5:31, 32; 19:1-9; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:18). These precepts given by Christ regulate the law of divorce in the Christian Church.”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Divorce — Law of marriage against -- Ge 2:24; Mt 19:6. Permitted By the Mosaic law. -- De 24:1. On account of hardness of heart. -- Mt 19:8. Often sought by the Jews -- Mic 2:9; Mal 2:14. Sought on slight grounds -- Mt 5:31; 19:3. Not allowed to those who falsely accused their wives -- De 22:18,19. Women Could obtain. -- Pr 2:17; Mr 10:12. Could marry after. -- De 24:2. Responsible for vows after. -- Nu 30:9. Married after, could not return to first husband. -- De 24:3,4; Jer 3:1. Afflicted by. -- Isa 54:4,6. Priests not to marry women after -- Le 21:14. Of servants,”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Marriage — Divinely instituted -- Ge 2:24. A covenant relationship -- Mal 2:4. Designed for The happiness of man. -- Ge 2:18. Increasing the human population. -- Ge 1:28; 9:1. Raising up godly seed. -- Mal 2:15. Preventing fornication. -- 1Co 7:2. The expectation of the promised seed of the woman an incentive to, in the early age -- Ge 3:15; 4:1. Lawful in all -- 1Co 7:2,28; 1Ti 5:14. Honourable for all -- Heb 13:4. Should be only in the Lord -- 1Co 7:39. Expressed by Joining together. -- Mt 19:6. Making affinity. -- 1Ki 3:1. Taking to wife. -- Ex 2:1. Giving daughte”
  7. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 7:10: 7:10-11 Paul advises Christian couples contemplating divorce. • a command that comes . . . from the Lord: This doesn’t mean that Paul’s other instructions (see 7:12, 25, 40) have less authority. It means this particular counsel is grounded in known sayings of Jesus (see Matt 5:32; 19:9; Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18). • But if she does leave him: Paul acknowledges that some couples have great difficulty in living together, but even in that case they must honor their marriage vows to be faithful to their spouse alone (see 1 Cor 7:27; Rom 7:2).”
  8. 1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 7:10: In this paragraph the apostle gives them direction in a case which must be very frequent in that age of the world, especially among the Jewish converts; I mean whether they were to live with heathen relatives in a married state. Moses's law permitted divorce; and there was a famous instance in the Jewish state, when the people were obliged to put away their idolatrous wives, Ezr 10:3. This might move a scruple in many minds, whether converts to Christianity were not bound to put away or desert their mates, continuing infidels. Concerning this matter the apo”
  9. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 7:1: 7:1–16:4 Paul now addresses the questions the Corinthians had asked him by letter, beginning with the question of marriage (cp. 7:25; 8:1; 12:1; 16:1). 7:1-40 Paul consistently states his strong conviction that true Christians, as slaves of Christ, are wholly claimed by Christ the Lord for his own service. Because of this, he recommends that Christians remain single, but concedes that getting married is no sin. 7:1 it is good to abstain from sexual relations: Both Paul and Jesus encouraged the ideal of a celibate life for God’s sake (cp. Matt 19:10-12). Paul”
  10. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 7 (introduction): REPLY TO THEIR INQUIRIES AS TO MARRIAGE; THE GENERAL PRINCIPLE IN OTHER THINGS IS, ABIDE IN YOUR STATION, FOR THE TIME IS SHORT. (1Co. 7:1-40) The Corinthians in their letter had probably asked questions which tended to disparage marriage, and had implied that it was better to break it off when contracted with an unbeliever. good--that is, "expedient," because of "the present distress"; that is, the unsettled state of the world, and the likelihood of persecutions tearing rudely asunder those bound by marriage ties. Heb 13:4, in op”
  11. 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 7 (introduction): A solution of several difficult cases concerning marriage and married persons, Co1 7:1-6. God has given every man his proper gift, Co1 7:7. Directions to the unmarried and widows, Co1 7:8, Co1 7:9. Directions to the married, Co1 7:10, Co1 7:11. Directions to men married to heathen women, and to women married to heathen men, Co1 7:12-16. Every man should abide in his vocation, Co1 7:17-24. Directions concerning virgins, and single persons in general, Co1 7:25-28. How all should behave themselves in the things of this life, in reference to eternity,”
  12. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 7:10: not I, but the Lord--(Compare Co1 7:12, Co1 7:25, Co1 7:40). In ordinary cases he writes on inspired apostolic authority (Co1 14:37); but here on the direct authority of the Lord Himself (Mar 10:11-12). In both cases alike the things written are inspired by the Spirit of God "but not all for all time, nor all on the primary truths of the faith" [ALFORD]. Let not the wife depart--literally, "be separated from." Probably the separation on either side, whether owing to the husband or to the wife, is forbidden.”
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