The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

1 CORINTHIANS 7:39KJV
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1 Corinthians 7:39 (KJV)

What does 1 Corinthians 7:39 mean?

1 Corinthians 7:39 teaches that a wife is legally and morally connected to her husband as long as he is alive, but if he dies, she is free to marry anyone she chooses, as long as the new marriage is "in the Lord." This means her freedom to remarry is real, but there is a guiding principle that the new marriage should align with Christian faith.

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, answering questions about marriage and singleness. Here, he clarifies the bond of marriage lasts for life, but death ends that bond. The phrase "only in the Lord" points to the expectation that a believer should marry another believer, reflecting the values of the Christian community.

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 7:39

  • "bound" (δέω, deō): This word means to be tied or obligated, emphasizing the strong, binding nature of marriage as a legal and moral commitment.
  • "law" (νόμος, nomos): The use of "law" here points to a recognized rule or principle, not just a civil law but also a moral or spiritual guideline for Christian living.
  • "liberty" (ἐλεύθερα, eleuthera): This word means to be free or released, highlighting the real change in status for a widow—she is no longer under the previous obligation and can make her own choice about remarriage.
  • "in the Lord" (ἐν κυρίῳ, en kyriō): This phrase is often understood as a call for the new marriage to be within the Christian faith, suggesting that the widow should marry someone who also follows Jesus.

Why 1 Corinthians 7:39 matters

  • 1 Corinthians 7:39 clarifies that marriage is a lifelong commitment, but it also recognizes the freedom and dignity of widows to remarry if they wish.
  • The verse addresses a practical question in the early church about what is appropriate for widows, setting a standard that balances freedom with faith.
  • The phrase "only in the Lord" connects this teaching to the broader Christian principle of shared faith in marriage, which is a recurring theme in Paul's letters.

Where else these words appear

“dead” Greek G2837 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 27:52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
  • Acts 7:60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

“liberty” Greek G1658 · used in 23 verses

  • Matthew 17:26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
  • 1 Corinthians 9:1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
  • Galatians 4:30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

“married” Greek G1060 · used in 25 verses

  • Matthew 5:32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
  • Mark 10:12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.
  • 1 Corinthians 7:10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:

“bound” Greek G1210 · used in 41 verses

  • Matthew 12:29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
  • Mark 11:4 And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him.
  • Acts 12:6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.