1 Corinthians 7:13
New International Version
And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him.

New Living Translation
And if a believing woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to continue living with her, she must not leave him.

English Standard Version
If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him.

Berean Standard Bible
And if a woman has an unbelieving husband and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him.

Berean Literal Bible
And if any woman has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to dwell with her, let her not divorce the husband.

King James Bible
And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

New King James Version
And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him.

New American Standard Bible
And if any woman has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not divorce her husband.

NASB 1995
And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away.

NASB 1977
And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, let her not send her husband away.

Legacy Standard Bible
And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not divorce her husband.

Amplified Bible
And if any [believing] woman has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not leave him.

Christian Standard Bible
Also, if any woman has an unbelieving husband and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce her husband.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Also, if any woman has an unbelieving husband and he is willing to live with her, she must not leave her husband.

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

Contemporary English Version
If your husband isn't a follower, but is willing to stay with you, don't divorce him.

English Revised Version
And the woman which hath an unbelieving husband, and he is content to dwell with her, let her not leave her husband.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If any Christian woman is married to a man who is an unbeliever, and he is willing to live with her, she should not divorce her husband.

Good News Translation
And if a Christian woman is married to a man who is an unbeliever and he agrees to go on living with her, she must not divorce him.

International Standard Version
And if a woman has a husband who is an unbeliever and he is willing to live with her, she must not abandon him.

Majority Standard Bible
And if a woman has an unbelieving husband and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him.

NET Bible
And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is happy to live with her, she should not divorce him.

New Heart English Bible
The woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he is content to live with her, let her not leave her husband.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the woman who hath a husband that believeth not, and if he is pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

Weymouth New Testament
And a woman who has an unbelieving husband--if he consents to live with her, let her not separate from him.

World English Bible
The woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he is content to live with her, let her not leave her husband.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he is pleased to dwell with her, do not let her send him away;

Berean Literal Bible
And if any woman has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to dwell with her, let her not divorce the husband.

Young's Literal Translation
and a woman who hath a husband unbelieving, and he is pleased to dwell with her, let her not send him away;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he assents to dwell with her, let her not send him away.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And if any woman hath a husband that believeth not, and he consent to dwell with her, let her not put away her husband.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And if any woman has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce her husband.

New American Bible
and if any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he is willing to go on living with her, she should not divorce her husband.

New Revised Standard Version
And if any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the woman who has a husband who is not a convert but is content to live with her, let her not leave him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And whichever wife has a husband who is not a believer, and he is willing to stay with her, let her not leave her husband.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And if any woman has a husband that believes not, and he is well pleased to dwell with her, let her not put him away.

Godbey New Testament
And if any wife has an unbelieving husband, and he is willing to live with her, let her not send away her husband.

Haweis New Testament
And the wife which hath a husband not a believer, and he chuses to dwell with her, let her not put him away.

Mace New Testament
and if a woman has a pagan husband, who likes to live with her, let her not leave him.

Weymouth New Testament
And a woman who has an unbelieving husband--if he consents to live with her, let her not separate from him.

Worrell New Testament
And, if any wife has an unbelieving husband, and he is pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave her husband.

Worsley New Testament
And if any wife hath an unbelieving husband, and he like to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Principles of Marriage
12To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If a brother has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13And if a woman has an unbelieving husband and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. 14For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his believing wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.…

Cross References
1 Peter 3:1-2
Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives / when they see your pure and reverent demeanor.

Matthew 19:6
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

2 Corinthians 6:14
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?

Romans 7:2-3
For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. / So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.

Ephesians 5:22-24
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. / For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. / Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Malachi 2:15-16
Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. / “For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “He who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,” says the LORD of Hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith.

Genesis 2:24
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

Matthew 5:32
But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, brings adultery upon her. And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Mark 10:9
Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

1 Peter 3:7
Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

Colossians 3:18
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Deuteronomy 24:1-4
If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds some indecency in her, he may write her a certificate of divorce, hand it to her, and send her away from his house. / If, after leaving his house, she goes and becomes another man’s wife, / and the second man hates her, writes her a certificate of divorce, hands it to her, and sends her away from his house, or if he dies, ...

Proverbs 31:10-12
A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. / The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. / She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.

Titus 2:4-5
In this way they can train the young women to love their husbands and children, / to be self-controlled, pure, managers of their households, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be discredited.

Luke 16:18
Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.


Treasury of Scripture

And the woman which has an husband that believes not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

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Believer Believeth Christian Consents Content Desire Divorce Dwell Husband Live Pleased Separate Unbeliever Unbelieving Willing
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Believer Believeth Christian Consents Content Desire Divorce Dwell Husband Live Pleased Separate Unbeliever Unbelieving Willing
1 Corinthians 7
1. He discusses marriage;
4. showing it to be a remedy against sinful desires,
10. and that the bond thereof ought not lightly to be dissolved.
20. Every man must be content with his vocation.
25. Virginity wherefore to be embraced;
35. and for what respects we may either marry, or abstain from marrying.














And if a woman
This phrase introduces a specific scenario within the broader discussion of marriage. In the Greco-Roman world, women often had limited rights, and their roles were largely defined by their relationships with men. The Apostle Paul acknowledges women directly, which is significant in a historical context where women's voices were often marginalized. This inclusion underscores the value and agency of women within the Christian community.

has a husband who is not a believer
The Greek term for "not a believer" is "apistos," meaning one who does not have faith or is unfaithful. In the early church, many converts were women whose husbands did not share their newfound faith. This situation created tension and uncertainty about how to live out their Christian convictions within a mixed-faith marriage. Paul addresses this reality, providing guidance that respects the sanctity of marriage while acknowledging the spiritual divide.

and he is willing to live with her
The willingness of the unbelieving husband to remain in the marriage is crucial. The Greek word "syneudokei" implies consent or approval. This suggests a level of harmony or at least a peaceful coexistence, despite differing beliefs. In a historical context, this reflects the Roman legal system, which allowed for divorce but also emphasized the importance of mutual consent in maintaining a household.

she must not divorce him
Paul's instruction here is countercultural, as divorce was relatively common in the Roman world, often for trivial reasons. The Greek word for divorce, "aphiemi," means to send away or let go. Paul emphasizes the permanence and commitment of marriage, reflecting Jesus' teachings on the sanctity of the marital bond (Matthew 19:6). This directive encourages Christian spouses to prioritize reconciliation and unity, even in spiritually mixed marriages, as a testimony to their faith and commitment to God's design for marriage.

(13) Let her not leave him.--Better, let her not put him away; the Greek being the same as is applied to the husband in 1Corinthians 7:12. Under Roman law--and St. Paul was writing to those who were under such law--the wife, as well as the husband, was permitted to obtain a divorce. It is therefore probable that St. Paul uses the stronger term here in reference to the woman's action in the matter, instead of repeating the same word as in 1Corinthians 7:10. Some have suggested that the reason St. Paul applies this word to the action of the woman in the matter is that, in the case under consideration, the fact of the wife being a Christian inverts, in St. Paul's opinion, the natural order, and makes her the superior. This is wholly inadmissible, and quite contrary to St. Paul's view of the absolute superiority of the " husband. (See 1Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:22; 1Timothy 2:11.)

Verse 13. - Let her not leave him. The verb is the same as in the clause rendered "let him not put her away."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
And
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

if
εἴ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

a
τις (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

woman
γυνὴ (gynē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1135: A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.

has
ἔχει (echei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

an unbelieving
ἄπιστον (apiston)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 571: (passively) untrustworthy (person), or incredible (thing).

husband
ἄνδρα (andra)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 435: A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

he
οὗτος (houtos)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

is willing
συνευδοκεῖ (syneudokei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4909: From sun and eudokeo; to think well of in common, i.e. Assent to, feel gratified with.

to live
οἰκεῖν (oikein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 3611: To inhabit, dwell, indwell. From oikos; to occupy a house, i.e. Reside; by implication, to cohabit.

with
μετ’ (met’)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.

her,
αὐτῆς (autēs)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

she must not divorce
ἀφιέτω (aphietō)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 863: From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.

[him].
ἄνδρα (andra)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 435: A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 7:13 The woman who has an unbelieving husband (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 7:12
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