1 COR 7:15 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) But if the unbeliever departs, let that person go. In such cases, the believing spouse is not tied down to serving their departed spouse, but rather God has called us to peace.

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, cyan:dative/indirect object, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT But if the unbeliever departs, let him go. In such cases, the brother or the sister is not bound, but God has called us to peace.

UST On the other hand, some unbelieving husbands or wives may want to leave their believing spouses. In this situation, the believing spouses should allow them to leave. The believing spouses do not have to stay with their unbelieving husbands or wives. In any situation like this, remember that God requires us to be peaceful people.

BLB But if the unbeliever separates himself, let him separate himself. The brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called you into peace.

AICNT But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called {you}[fn] to peace.

7:15, you: ℵ(01) A(02) C(04) NA28 ‖ Some manuscripts read “us.” 𝔓46 B(03) D(05) SBLGNT THGNT BYZ TR

OEB However, if the unbeliever wishes to be separated, let them be so. Under such circumstances neither is bound; God has called you to live in peace.

WEBBE Yet if the unbeliever departs, let there be separation. The brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us in peace.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET But if the unbeliever wants a divorce, let it take place. In these circumstances the brother or sister is not bound. God has called you in peace.

LSV And if the unbelieving separates himself—let him separate himself: the brother or the sister is not under servitude in such [cases], and in peace has God called us;

FBV However, if the non-Christian spouse leaves, let them leave. In such cases the Christian man or woman is not slavishly bound, for God has called us to live in peace.

TCNT But if the unbelieving spouse separates, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not enslaved in such cases. God has called [fn]us to live in peace.

7:15 us ¦ you NA WH

T4T However, if a woman’s husband who is not a believer or a man’s wife who is not a believer wants to leave, let him or her do so. The husband or wife who is a believer should not force the other one to stay. God has chosen us in order that we may live peacefully.

LEB But if the unbeliever leaves, let him leave. The brother or the sister is not bound in such cases. But God has called us[fn] in peace.

7:15 Some manuscripts have “you” (plural)

BBE But if the one who is not a Christian has a desire to go away, let it be so: the brother or the sister in such a position is not forced to do one thing or the other: but it is God's pleasure that we may be at peace with one another.

Moff (Should the unbelieving partner be determined to separate, however, separation let it be; in such cases the Christian brother or sister is not tied to marriage.) It is to a life of peace that God has called us.

Wymth If, however, the unbeliever is determined to leave, let him or her do so. Under such circumstances the Christian man or woman is no slave; God has called us to live lives of peace.

ASV Yet if the unbelieving departeth, let him depart: the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us in peace.

DRA But if the unbeliever depart, let him depart. For a brother or sister is not under servitude in such cases. But God hath called us in peace.

YLT And, if the unbelieving doth separate himself — let him separate himself: the brother or the sister is not under servitude in such [cases], and in peace hath God called us;

Drby But if the unbeliever go away, let them go away; a brother or a sister is not bound in such [cases], but [fn]God has called us in peace.

7.15 Elohim

RV Yet if the unbelieving departeth, let him depart: the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us in peace.
(Yet if the unbelieving departeth, let him depart: the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath/has called us in peace. )

SLT And if the unbelieving is separated, let him be separated. A brother or a sister has not been reduced to slavery in such things as these: and God has called us in peace.

Wbstr But if the unbelieving departeth, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases ; but God hath called us to peace.

KJB-1769 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.
(But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath/has called us to peace. )

KJB-1611 But if the vnbeleeuing depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not vnder bondage in such cases: but God hath called vs [fn]to peace.
(But if the unbeleeuing depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath/has called us to peace.)

7:15 Gr. in peace

Bshps But if the vnbeleuing depart, let hym depart: A brother or a sister is not in subiection in such thinges: But God hath called vs in peace.
(But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart: A brother or a sister is not in subjection in such things: But God hath/has called us in peace.)

Gnva But if the vnbeleeuing depart, let him depart: a brother or a sister is not in subiection in such things: but God hath called vs in peace.
(But if the unbeleeuing depart, let him depart: a brother or a sister is not in subjection in such things: but God hath/has called us in peace. )

Cvdl But yf the vnbeleuynge departe, let him departe. A brother or a sister is not boude in soch cases, but God hath called vs in peace.
(But if the unbelieving depart, let him departe. A brother or a sister is not boude in such cases, but God hath/has called us in peace.)

TNT But and yf the vnbelevynge departe let him departe. A brother or a sister is not in subiection to soche. God hath called vs in peace.
(But and if the unbeleving depart let him departe. A brother or a sister is not in subjection to soche. God hath/has called us in peace. )

Wycl That if the vnfeithful departith, departe he. For whi the brother or sistir is not suget to seruage in siche; for God hath clepid vs in pees.
(That if the unfaithful departith, depart he. For why the brother or sister is not subject to servitude in siche; for God hath/has called us in peace.)

Luth So aber der Ungläubige sich scheidet, so laß ihn sich scheiden. Es ist der Bruder oder die Schwester nicht gefangen in solchen Fällen. Im Frieden aber hat uns GOtt berufen.
(So but the/of_the Ungläubige itself/yourself/themselves separates, so let him/it itself/yourself/themselves divorce(v). It is the/of_the brother or the sister not caught in such Fällen. In_the peace but has us/to_us/ourselves God appointed.)

ClVg Quod si infidelis discedit, discedat: non enim servituti subjectus est frater, aut soror in hujusmodi: in pace autem vocavit nos Deus.[fn]
(That when/but_if unfaithful discedit, discedat: not/no because servituti subject it_is brother, or sister in/into/on of_this_kind: in/into/on peace however he_called us God. )

7.15 Non enim. Non est tantum conjugium quod sine Dei devotione est: et ideo non est peccatum ei qui dimittit propter Deum si alii se copulavit. Si vero ambo crediderint, per cognitionem Dei confirmatur conjugium. In pace. Non oportet litigare cum discedente, quia odio Dei discedit.

7.15 Not/No because. Not/No it_is only marriage that without of_God devotion it_is: and therefore/for_that_reason not/no it_is sin to_him who/which dismisses because God when/but_if others himself copulavit. When/But_if indeed/however ambo crediderint, through knowledge of_God confirmsur marriage. In peace. Not/No it_is_necessary litigare when/with discedente, because hate of_God discedit.

UGNT εἰ δὲ ὁ ἄπιστος χωρίζεται, χωριζέσθω; οὐ δεδούλωται ὁ ἀδελφὸς ἢ ἡ ἀδελφὴ ἐν τοῖς τοιούτοις; ἐν δὲ εἰρήνῃ κέκληκεν ἡμᾶς ὁ Θεός.
(ei de ho apistos ⱪōrizetai, ⱪōrizesthō; ou dedoulōtai ho adelfos aʸ haʸ adelfaʸ en tois toioutois; en de eiraʸnaʸ keklaʸken haʸmas ho Theos.)

SBL-GNT εἰ δὲ ὁ ἄπιστος χωρίζεται, χωριζέσθω· οὐ δεδούλωται ὁ ἀδελφὸς ἢ ἡ ἀδελφὴ ἐν τοῖς τοιούτοις, ἐν δὲ εἰρήνῃ κέκληκεν ⸀ἡμᾶς ὁ θεός.
(ei de ho apistos ⱪōrizetai, ⱪōrizesthō; ou dedoulōtai ho adelfos aʸ haʸ adelfaʸ en tois toioutois, en de eiraʸnaʸ keklaʸken ⸀haʸmas ho theos.)

RP-GNT Εἰ δὲ ὁ ἄπιστος χωρίζεται, χωριζέσθω. Οὐ δεδούλωται ὁ ἀδελφὸς ἢ ἡ ἀδελφὴ ἐν τοῖς τοιούτοις· ἐν δὲ εἰρήνῃ κέκληκεν ἡμᾶς ὁ θεός.
(Ei de ho apistos ⱪōrizetai, ⱪōrizesthō. Ou dedoulōtai ho adelfos aʸ haʸ adelfaʸ en tois toioutois; en de eiraʸnaʸ keklaʸken haʸmas ho theos.)

TC-GNT Εἰ δὲ ὁ ἄπιστος χωρίζεται, χωριζέσθω. Οὐ δεδούλωται ὁ ἀδελφὸς ἢ ἡ ἀδελφὴ ἐν τοῖς τοιούτοις· ἐν δὲ εἰρήνῃ κέκληκεν [fn]ἡμᾶς ὁ Θεός.
(Ei de ho apistos ⱪōrizetai, ⱪōrizesthō. Ou dedoulōtai ho adelfos aʸ haʸ adelfaʸ en tois toioutois; en de eiraʸnaʸ keklaʸken haʸmas ho Theos. )

7:15 ημας ¦ υμας NA WH

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN 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

UTN 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]

Parallel 1 COR 7:15

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

Paragraph 7:12–16

7:15a

7:15b

7:15c

Parallel 1 COR 7:15