1 Corinthians 7:27
New International Version
Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife.

New Living Translation
If you have a wife, do not seek to end the marriage. If you do not have a wife, do not seek to get married.

English Standard Version
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

Berean Standard Bible
Are you committed to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you free of commitment? Do not look for a wife.

Berean Literal Bible
Have you been bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Have you been loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

King James Bible
Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

New King James Version
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

New American Standard Bible
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

NASB 1995
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

NASB 1977
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

Legacy Standard Bible
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

Amplified Bible
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you unmarried? Do not seek a wife.

Christian Standard Bible
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

American Standard Version
Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

Contemporary English Version
If you are married, stay married. If you are not married, don't try to get married.

English Revised Version
Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Do you have a wife? Don't seek a divorce. Are you divorced from your wife? Don't look for another one.

Good News Translation
Do you have a wife? Then don't try to get rid of her. Are you unmarried? Then don't look for a wife.

International Standard Version
Have you become committed to a wife? Stop trying to get released from your commitment. Have you been freed from your commitment to a wife? Stop looking for one.

Majority Standard Bible
Are you committed to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you free of commitment? Do not look for a wife.

NET Bible
The one bound to a wife should not seek divorce. The one released from a wife should not seek marriage.

New Heart English Bible
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be freed. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

Webster's Bible Translation
Art thou bound to a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

Weymouth New Testament
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to get free. Are you free from the marriage bond? Do not seek for a wife.

World English Bible
Are you bound to a wife? Don’t seek to be freed. Are you free from a wife? Don’t seek a wife.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Have you been bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed; have you been loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

Berean Literal Bible
Have you been bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Have you been loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

Young's Literal Translation
Hast thou been bound to a wife? seek not to be loosed; hast thou been loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

Smith's Literal Translation
Hast thou been bound to a wife? seek not a release. Hast thou been loosed from a wife seek thou not a wife.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Art thou bound to a wife ? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife ? seek not a wife.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be freed. Are you free of a wife? Do not seek a wife.

New American Bible
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek a separation. Are you free of a wife? Then do not look for a wife.

New Revised Standard Version
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
If you are married, do not seek divorce. If you are divorced from a wife, do not seek a wife.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Are you bound with a wife? Do not seek a divorce. Are you divorced from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Are you bound to a wife? Seek not a separation. Are you loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife.

Godbey New Testament
Have you been given to a wife? do not seek separation; have you been separated from a wife? do not seek a wife.

Haweis New Testament
Art thou bound to a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

Mace New Testament
are you contracted to a wife? seek not to be disengag'd, are you disengag'd from your wife? don't look out for another;

Weymouth New Testament
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to get free. Are you free from the marriage bond? Do not seek for a wife.

Worrell New Testament
Have you become bound to a wife? Seek not a release. Have you been loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

Worsley New Testament
for a single man to be so. Art thou bound to a wife indeed? seek not to be loosed: but art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Unmarried and Widowed
26Because of the present crisis, I think it is good for a man to remain as he is. 27Are you committed to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you free of commitment? Do not look for a wife. 28But if you do marry, you have not sinned. And if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.…

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

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.

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.”

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

Ephesians 5:31
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”

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.

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, ...

Malachi 2:16
“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.

Matthew 19:8-9
Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart. But it was not this way from the beginning. / Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

Mark 10:11-12
So He told them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. / And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”

Luke 18:29-30
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God / will fail to receive many times more in this age—and in the age to come, eternal life.”

1 Corinthians 6:16
Or don’t you know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”

Romans 7:1
Do you not know, brothers (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives?

1 Timothy 5:14
So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.


Treasury of Scripture

Are you bound to a wife? seek not to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

thou bound.

1 Corinthians 7:12-14,20
But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away…

Jump to Previous
Attempt Bond Bound Divorce Free Freed Loosed Marriage Married Released Seek Unmarried Wife
Jump to Next
Attempt Bond Bound Divorce Free Freed Loosed Marriage Married Released Seek Unmarried Wife
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.














Are you committed to a wife?
This phrase addresses those who are already married. In the context of 1 Corinthians 7, Paul is responding to questions from the Corinthian church about marriage and singleness. The cultural backdrop includes a society where marriage was often seen as a social obligation. Paul emphasizes the sanctity and commitment of marriage, reflecting Genesis 2:24, where a man is united with his wife. The commitment to a wife is a covenantal relationship, mirroring God's covenant with His people.

Do not seek to be released.
Paul advises against seeking divorce, aligning with Jesus' teachings in Matthew 19:6, where He states that what God has joined together, man should not separate. In the Greco-Roman world, divorce was relatively common and could be initiated by either party. Paul’s instruction underscores the permanence of marriage and the importance of faithfulness, reflecting God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with humanity.

Are you free of commitment?
This phrase refers to those who are unmarried or possibly widowed. In the early church, there was a debate about the virtues of singleness versus marriage. Paul acknowledges the benefits of singleness for undivided devotion to the Lord, as seen in 1 Corinthians 7:32-35. The freedom from marital commitment allows for greater flexibility in ministry and service, echoing the life of Jesus, who was single and fully devoted to His mission.

Do not look for a wife.
Paul advises those who are single not to actively seek marriage, especially in light of the "present crisis" mentioned earlier in the chapter (1 Corinthians 7:26). This could refer to specific challenges faced by the Corinthian church or the broader eschatological expectation of Christ's return. The advice is not a prohibition against marriage but a call to prioritize spiritual matters and remain content in one's current state, as seen in Philippians 4:11-12. This reflects the idea that one's identity and fulfillment are found in Christ, not in marital status.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of 1 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth with guidance on marriage and singleness.

2. Corinth
A major city in ancient Greece, known for its diverse population and moral challenges, which influenced the issues Paul addresses in his letters.

3. The Corinthian Church
The recipients of Paul's letter, a community of believers navigating their faith amidst a culturally complex environment.
Teaching Points
Understanding Commitment
Paul emphasizes the importance of honoring one's current marital status. If married, remain committed; if single, consider the benefits of singleness for serving God.

Contentment in Current Circumstances
Believers are encouraged to find contentment in their present situation, whether married or single, trusting God's plan for their lives.

Focus on God's Calling
The primary focus should be on serving God, whether married or single. Each state has its unique opportunities and challenges for ministry.

Avoiding Unnecessary Change
Paul advises against seeking change for its own sake, suggesting that stability can lead to greater spiritual growth and service.

Marriage and Singleness as Gifts
Both marriage and singleness are seen as gifts from God, each with its own purpose and potential for glorifying Him.(27) Art thou bound unto a wife?--This is an explanation and re-assertion of the previous words "so to be." Being "loosed from a wife" does not mean a separation after marriage, but simply "unmarried."

Verse 27. - Seek not a wife. It is entirely alien from St. Paul's purpose to take this as an abstract or universal rule. He gives his reasons for it as a temporary necessity.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Are you committed
δέδεσαι (dedesai)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 1210: To bind, tie, fasten; I impel, compel; I declare to be prohibited and unlawful. A primary verb; to bind.

to a wife?
γυναικί (gynaiki)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1135: A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.

{Do} not
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

seek
ζήτει (zētei)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2212: To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot.

to be released.
λύσιν (lysin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3080: Dissolution, release; a loosing, divorce. From luo; a loosening, i.e., divorce.

Are you free
λέλυσαι (lelysai)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 3089: A primary verb; to 'loosen'.

of
ἀπὸ (apo)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

[commitment]?
γυναικός (gynaikos)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1135: A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.

{Do} not
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

look for
ζήτει (zētei)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2212: To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot.

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


Links
1 Corinthians 7:27 NIV
1 Corinthians 7:27 NLT
1 Corinthians 7:27 ESV
1 Corinthians 7:27 NASB
1 Corinthians 7:27 KJV

1 Corinthians 7:27 BibleApps.com
1 Corinthians 7:27 Biblia Paralela
1 Corinthians 7:27 Chinese Bible
1 Corinthians 7:27 French Bible
1 Corinthians 7:27 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 7:27 Are you bound to a wife? Don't (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 7:26
Top of Page
Top of Page