1 Corinthians 7:16
For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
1 Corinthians 7:16 in other translations
| BSB | How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? |
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| WEB | For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? |
| ASV | For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O husband, whether thou shalt save thy wife? |
| YLT | 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? |
| DARBY | For what knowest thou, O wife, if thou shalt save thy husband? or what knowest thou, O husband, if thou shalt save thy wife? |
| BBE | 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? |
| Webster | For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife? |
What does 1 Corinthians 7:16 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
Whether thou, etc., How do you know but this may be done? Is there not a possibility, nay, a probability of it, and is not this a sufficient reason for continuing together?
Save thy husband. Gain him over to the Christian faith; be the means of his conversion and salvation. Comp. Rom 11:26. We learn from this verse,
(1.) that there is a possibility that an unbelieving partner in life may be converted by example of the other.
(2.) That this should be an object of intense interest to the Christian husband or wife, because
(a) it will promote the happiness of the other;
(b) it will promote their usefulness;
(c) it will be the means of blessing their family; for parents should be united on the subject of religion, and in their example and influence in training up their sons and daughters; and
(d) because the salvation of a beloved husband or wife should be an object of intense interest.
(3.) This object is of so much importance, that the Christian should be willing to submit to much, to bear much, and to bear long, in order that it may be accomplished. Paul said it was desirable even to live with a heathen partner to do it; and so also it is desirable to bear much, very much, with even an unkind and fretful temper, with an unfaithful and even an intemperate husband, or with a perverse and peevish wife, if there is a prospect that they may be converted.
(4.) This same direction is elsewhere given, 1Pet 3:1,2.
(5.) It is often done. It is not hopeless. Many a wife has thus been the means of saving a husband; many a husband has been the means of the salvation of the wife. In regard to the means by which this is to be hoped for, we may observe that it is not by a harsh, fretful, complaining temper; it is to be by kindness, and tenderness, and love. It is to be by an exemplification of the excellency of religion by example--by patience when provoked, meekness when injured, love when despised, forbearance when words of harshness and irritation are used, and by showing how a Christian can live, and what is the true nature of religion; by kind and affectionate conversation when alone, when the heart is tender, when calamities visit the family, and when the thoughts are drawn along by the events of Providence towards death. Not by harshness or severity of manner is the result to be hoped for; but by tender entreaty, and mildness of life, and by prayer. Preeminently this is to be used. When a husband will not hear, God can hear; when he is angry, morose, or unkind, God is gentle, tender, and kind; and when a husband or a wife turn away from the voice of gentle entreaty, God's ear is open, and God is ready to hear and to bless. Let one thing guide the life. We are never to cease to set a Christian example; never to cease to live as a Christian should live; never to cease to pray fervently to the God of grace, that the partner of our lives may be brought under the full influence of Christian truth, and meet us in the enjoyments of heaven.
(b) "save thy husband" 1Pet 3:1,2 (2) "how knowest" "What"
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:10-16
Man and wife must not separate for any other cause than what Christ allows. Divorce, at that time, was very common among both Jews and Gentiles, on very slight pretexts. Marriage is a Divine institution; and is an engagement for life, by God's appointment. We are bound, as much as in us lies, to live peaceably with all men, Ro 12:18, therefore to promote the peace and comfort of our nearest relatives, though…
1 Corinthians 7:16 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for 1 Corinthians 7:16
- 1 Peter 3:1-2
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
- Romans 11:14
If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
- 1 Corinthians 9:22
To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
- James 5:19-20
Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
- Luke 15:10
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
- 1 Timothy 4:16
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- 1 Corinthians 7:15
But 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.
- 1 Corinthians 7:16
For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
- 1 Corinthians 7:17
But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
1 Corinthians 7:16 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Porque ¿de dónde sabes, oh mujer, si quizá harás salvo á tu marido? ¿ó de dónde sabes, oh marido, si quizá harás salva á tu mujer? |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Car que sais-tu, femme, si tu ne sauveras pas ton mari? ou que sais-tu, mari, si tu ne sauveras pas ta femme? |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Denn was weißt du, Weib, ob du den Mann erretten wirst? Oder was weißt du, Mann, ob du das Weib erretten wirst? |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Unde enim scis mulier, si virum salvum facies? aut unde scis vir, si mulierem salvam facies? |