1 COR 7:15 Interlinear View

1. Greek word
2. Greek lemma
3. OET-LV words
4. OET-RV words
5. Strongs
6. Role/Morphology
7. OET Gloss
8. VLT Gloss
9. CAPS codes
10. Confidence
11. OET tags
12. OET word #
1. εἰ
2. ei
3. if
4. -
5. 14870
6. C·······
7. if
8. if
9. -
10. Y59
11. 115511
1. Δέ
2. de
3. But
4. -
5. 11610
6. C·······
7. but
8. but
9. S
10. Y59
11. 115512
1. ὁ
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····NMS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y59
11. 115513
1. ἄπιστος
2. apistos
3. unbeliever
4. unbeliever
5. 5710
6. S····NMS
7. unbeliever
8. unbeliever
9. -
10. Y59; F115516
11. 115514
1. χωρίζεται
2. χōrizō
3. is being separated
4. -
5. 55630
6. VIPP3··S
7. ˓is_being˒ separated
8. ˓is_being˒ separated
9. -
10. Y59; F115526
11. 115515
1. χωριζέσθω
2. χōrizō
3. him let be being separated
4. -
5. 55630
6. VMPP3··S
7. ˱him˲ ˓let_be_being˒ separated
8. ˱him˲ ˓let_be_being˒ separated
9. -
10. Y59; R115514
11. 115516
1. Οὒ
2. ou
3. Not
4. -
5. 37560
6. D·······
7. not
8. not
9. S
10. Y59
11. 115517
1. δεδούλωται
2. douloō
3. has been enslaved
4. -
5. 14020
6. VIEP3··S
7. ˓has_been˒ enslaved
8. ˓has_been˒ enslaved
9. -
10. Y59
11. 115518
1. ὁ
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····NMS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y59
11. 115519
1. ἀδελφός
2. adelfos
3. brother
4. -
5. 800
6. N····NMS
7. brother
8. brother
9. -
10. Y59
11. 115520
1. ἤ
2. ē
3. or
4. -
5. 22280
6. C·······
7. or
8. or
9. -
10. Y59
11. 115521
1. ἡ
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····NFS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y59
11. 115522
1. ἀδελφή
2. adelfē
3. sister
4. -
5. 790
6. N····NFS
7. sister
8. sister
9. -
10. Y59
11. 115523
1. ἐν
2. en
3. in
4. -
5. 17220
6. P·······
7. in
8. in
9. -
10. Y59
11. 115524
1. τοῖς
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····DNP
7. ¬the
8. ¬the
9. -
10. Y59
11. 115525
1. τοιούτοις
2. toioutos
3. such matters
4. -
5. 51080
6. R····DNP
7. such ‹matters›
8. such ‹matters›
9. -
10. Y59; R115515
11. 115526
1. ἐν
2. en
3. in
4. -
5. 17220
6. P·······
7. in
8. in
9. -
10. Y59
11. 115527
1. δέ
2. de
3. but
4. but
5. 11610
6. C·······
7. but
8. but
9. -
10. Y59
11. 115528
1. εἰρήνῃ
2. eirēnē
3. peace
4. peace
5. 15150
6. N····DFS
7. peace
8. peace
9. -
10. Y59
11. 115529
1. κέκληκεν
2. kaleō
3. has called
4. called
5. 25640
6. VIEA3··S
7. ˓has˒ called
8. ˓has˒ called
9. -
10. Y59
11. 115530
1. ὑμᾶς
2. su
3. -
4. -
5. 47710
6. R···2A·P
7. you_all
8. you_all
9. -
10. -
11. 115531
1. ἡμάς
2. egō
3. us
4. -
5. 14730
6. R···1A·P
7. us
8. us
9. -
10. Y59
11. 115532
1. ὁ
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····NMS
7. ¬the
8. ¬the
9. -
10. Y59
11. 115533
1. Θεός
2. theos
3. god
4. God
5. 23160
6. N····NMS
7. god
8. God
9. GN
10. Y59; Person=God
11. 115534

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 7:1–40: Paul answered questions about marriage

In an earlier letter to Paul, the Corinthians had mentioned some problems and asked him some questions. There are no longer any copies of this letter, so we can only guess what they wrote by reading Paul’s answers. Apparently some of the questions the Corinthians had asked were about marriage and sex. In this section Paul discussed these topics. He wrote about sexual intercourse, divorce, marrying again after a person’s husband or wife dies, and never marrying.

From the way Paul talked, it appears that the Corinthians were thinking that if believers want to be holy, they should abstain from sexual relations. The Corinthians were wondering if married people should sleep together, if Christians who were married to non-Christians should divorce them, and if Christians should get married. Paul gave them some wise teaching on each of these topics. In 7:1–16 he addressed Christians who were married. In 7:17–24 he wrote about his general rule for Christians: Remain as you are. In 7:25–38 he taught Christians who were not married. In 7:39–40 he addressed women whose husbands had died.

Other possible section headings include:

Paul gave/wrote instructions about Christian marriage

Paul’s teaching on marriage

Paragraph 7:12–16

Paul now discussed the case of believers married to unbelievers. Paul had first preached the gospel in Corinth only three or four years before he wrote this letter. So most believers in Corinth had only been believers for a few years. Some men had become believers but their wives had not. And some women had become believers but their husbands had not. Apparently some people in Corinth were wondering whether Christians should remain married to unbelievers. Paul’s answer was that the believer is not to ask for a divorce. But if the unbelieving husband or wife chooses to leave, the believer need not think he or she has to stay married to that person.

7:15a

But if the unbeliever leaves, let him go.

However, if the unbeliever wants to leave/divorce you, let him or her leave.
But if the unbeliever wants to get a divorce, allow him to get the divorce.
But if a believer is married to an unbeliever, and the unbeliever wants to divorce/leave the believer, then you should accept this.

But if the unbeliever leaves, let him go: Paul realized that sometimes an unbeliever would not choose to remain married to a partner who became a Christian. He told the believer to allow the unbeliever to leave if that was what the unbeliever wanted to do.

leaves: The Greek word that the BSB translates as leaves means “separates himself” and is the same word used in 7:10c and 11a. See the note on 7:10c. This word should have the same meaning here as it did in 7:10c-11a. This probably refers to a situation in which the unbeliever divorces the believer.

let him go: The Greek word that the BSB translates as let him go is literally “let him/her separate.” Paul was saying that the believer should accept the situation. He should allow the unbeliever to separate/leave.

7:15b

The believing brother or sister is not bound in such cases.

In a case like this, a Christian man or woman is not obliged to remain with their spouse.
When that happens, the believer is free from the marriage.
In this case/situation the believer does not have to stay married to the unbelieving spouse.

The believing brother or sister is not bound in such cases: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as The believing brother or sister is literally “The brother or the sister.” It refers to men and women within the believing community. The word that the BSB translates as is not bound can also be translated as “is not enslaved.” In this context it is used as a figure of speech. It indicates that the believing partner is not obligated to stay with an unbelieving spouse who wants to separate. God does not require the believer to live with the unbeliever if the unbeliever is the one who decides to leave the believer. Other ways to translate this include:

When this happens, the Christian man or woman is free. (NCV)

You are no longer bound to that person. (CEV)

In such cases the Christian husband or wife is no longer bound to the other. (NLT)

Under these circumstances a Christian man or Christian woman is not bound by a marriage vow. (GW)

7:15c

God has called you to live in peace.

God has called/chosen you to be his people so you will live in harmony with other people.
However remember, God wants us^(incl) believers to live in peace with others.

This verse part connects to the previous verse part with a conjunction that is often translated as “but” as in the NJB. The BSB does not translate it here. Whether and how you translate it will depend on your interpretation of the verse. See the following note. Connect this verse part to the previous verse part in a way that is natural for the flow of thought.

God has called you to live in peace: The Greek clause that the BSB translates as God has called you to live in peace is literally “In peace God has called you/us.” The word translated as called means “invited, summoned, chosen.” See the notes on 1:1a, 1:2c, and 1:9, where the same word appears. God has chosen/invited us to be his people, part of his family, and he wants his people to live in peace. In some languages it may be necessary to make some of this implicit information clear in the translation. For example:

God chose you and wants you to live in peace. (CEV)

There are two ways to interpret this verse part:

It explains why Christians should not separate from their unbelieving spouses. It means “But if possible, remain married to your unbelieving husband or wife, for God has called you to live in peace.” God wants us to live in harmony and get along with our husband or wife, even if he or she is not a Christian. This interpretation is implied by the NCV:
When this happens, the Christian man or woman is free. But God called us to live in peace. Wife, you don’t know; maybe you will save your husband. (NCV) (NCV, NJB)
It explains why a believer should let his or her unbelieving spouse depart. It means “If your unbelieving husband or wife wants to divorce you, let them divorce you, for God has called you to live in peace.” In other words, it will be difficult to live a peaceful life with an unbelieving husband or wife who wants to divorce you, so it is better to divorce. For example:
In such cases the husband or wife is not required to stay with them, for God wants his children to live in peace. (NLT) (RSV, CEV, NLT, REB)

Several English versions leave this open or ambiguous (BSB, GNT, NET, GW, KJV, NASB, ESV, NRSV). It is probably best to see this as a general statement that indicates that the believer should try to live in peace with their spouse, maintaining the marriage if possible, and living in peaceful separation if not. A peaceful separation may also hold out hope of salvation and reconciliation.

you: There is a textual problem here. Some Greek manuscripts have a second-person plural pronoun (you) and some have a first-person plural pronoun (“us”). The two options are:

The original Greek text said you. For example:
God has called you to live in peace. (GNT) (BSB, GNT, NJB, NET, NRSV, GW, CEV)
The original Greek text said “us.” For example:
God has called us in peace. (RSV) (RSV, NIV, KJV, NASB, NCV, ESV)

It is recommended that you follow option (1). This is the reading in the Greek UBS text.This reading is given a B rating in the 4th edition. In some languages it may be unnatural to use a second-person pronoun, or this may imply that Paul was not called to live in peace. In these languages it may be necessary to use an inclusive first-person plural pronoun.

in peace: The words in peace describe the way a believer is to live. Paul puts these words first in the sentence to show that they are emphatic, that is, these words are the most important part of the sentence. The words in peace can include the idea of living in harmony with others and peacefully inside oneself. In some languages it may be natural to translate the abstract noun peace as an adjective or adverb. For example:

a peaceful life

peacefully

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-condition-hypothetical

εἰ & ὁ ἄπιστος χωρίζεται, χωριζέσθω

if & the unbeliever ˓is_being˒_separated ˱him˲_˓let_be_being˒_separated

Here Paul uses if to introduce a true possibility. He means that the unbeliever might depart, or he or she might not. He then specifies the result for if the unbeliever departs. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this form by stating the if statement by using a relative clause. Alternate translation: [whichever unbeliever departs, let him go]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

εἰ & ὁ ἄπιστος χωρίζεται, χωριζέσθω

if & the unbeliever ˓is_being˒_separated ˱him˲_˓let_be_being˒_separated

Here, departs refers to ending the marriage, that is, leaving the spouse. The phrase let him go refers to allowing the spouse to break the marriage or leave. If these words would not refer to breaking a marriage or getting divorced in your language, you could use a comparable expression. Alternate translation: [if the unbeliever wants a divorce, let him divorce you]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

ὁ ἄπιστος & χωριζέσθω

the unbeliever & ˱him˲_˓let_be_being˒_separated

Although him is masculine, Paul is using it to refer back to the unbeliever, which could refer to either a man or a woman. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express him with a non gendered word or refer to both genders. Alternate translation: [the unbeliever … let him or her go]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / genericnoun

ὁ ἄπιστος & ὁ ἀδελφὸς ἢ ἡ ἀδελφὴ

the unbeliever & the ¬the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰ Δέ ὁ ἄπιστος χωρίζεται χωριζέσθω Οὒ δεδούλωται ὁ ἀδελφός ἤ ἡ ἀδελφή ἐν τοῖς τοιούτοις ἐν δέ εἰρήνῃ κέκληκεν ἡμάς ὁ Θεός)

Here Paul is speaking of unbelievers, brothers, and sisters in general and not of just one unbeliever, brother, or sister. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express these words with a comparable way to refer generically to unbelievers, brothers, and sisters. Alternate translation: [one of the unbelievers … the brother or the sister involved]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / imperative3p

χωριζέσθω

˱him˲_˓let_be_being˒_separated

Here Paul uses a third-person imperative. If you have third-person imperatives in your language, you could use one here. If you do not have third-person imperatives, you could express the idea using a word such as “should” or “allow.” Alternate translation: [allow him to go]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

οὐ δεδούλωται ὁ ἀδελφὸς ἢ ἡ ἀδελφὴ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰ Δέ ὁ ἄπιστος χωρίζεται χωριζέσθω Οὒ δεδούλωται ὁ ἀδελφός ἤ ἡ ἀδελφή ἐν τοῖς τοιούτοις ἐν δέ εἰρήνῃ κέκληκεν ἡμάς ὁ Θεός)

Here, bound could refer to: (1) the marriage with an unbelieving spouse. Paul is saying that the brother or the sister does not need to try to preserve the marriage. They are not bound to the unbeliever but can accept the divorce. Alternate translation: [the brother or the sister is not bound to the unbeliever] (2) the rules that Paul laid out for staying with a spouse in [7:10–13](../07/10.md). Paul is saying that the brother or the sister does not have to follow those rules about staying with a spouse, and perhaps he is even saying that they can marry someone else. Alternate translation: [the brother or the sister is not bound to remain unmarried]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ὁ ἀδελφὸς ἢ ἡ ἀδελφὴ

the the ¬the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰ Δέ ὁ ἄπιστος χωρίζεται χωριζέσθω Οὒ δεδούλωται ὁ ἀδελφός ἤ ἡ ἀδελφή ἐν τοῖς τοιούτοις ἐν δέ εἰρήνῃ κέκληκεν ἡμάς ὁ Θεός)

Here Paul uses brother and sister to identify the people involved as believers of both genders. The people he refers to are brother and sister of the Corinthian believers, not of the unbeliever. Rather, the brother or the sister is married to the unbeliever. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the brother or the sister with a word or phrase that refers to believing husbands and wives. Alternate translation: [the believing husband or wife]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

οὐ δεδούλωται ὁ ἀδελφὸς ἢ ἡ ἀδελφὴ

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Paul uses the passive form here to focus on those who are not bound rather than focusing on what does the “binding.” If you must state who does the action, Paul implies that “the marriage” does not bind the brother or sister. Alternate translation: [the brother or the sister is free]

Note 9 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

(Occurrence 2) δὲ

Here, but introduces how Paul wants the Corinthians to act in general. Whether their spouse leaves or not, they should act in peace. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind butby using a word or phrase that introduces a general principle. If you use the following alternate translation, you may need to add a period before it. Alternate translation: [In every case,]

Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

εἰρήνῃ

peace

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind peace, you can express the idea by using an adjective such as “peaceful” or an adverb such as “peaceably.” Alternate translation: [act peaceably]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.

OET interlinear 1 COR 7:15

SR Greek word order (including unused variant words in grey)

Section 7:1–40: Paul answered questions about marriage

Paragraph 7:12–16

7:15a

7:15b

7:15c

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

OET interlinear 1 COR 7:15

SR Greek word order (including unused variant words in grey)

Section 7:1–40: Paul answered questions about marriage

Paragraph 7:12–16

7:15a

7:15b

7:15c

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

OET interlinear 1 COR 7:15