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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - 1 Corinthians 7:12 - 7:12
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
But to the rest say I, not the Lord (tois de loipois legō egō, ouch ho Kurios). Paul has no word about marriage from Jesus beyond the problem of divorce. This is no disclaimer of inspiration. He simply means that here he is not quoting a command of Jesus.
An unbelieving wife (gunaika apiston). This is a new problem, the result of work among the Gentiles, that did not arise in the time of Jesus. The form apiston is the same as the masculine because a compound adjective. Paul has to deal with mixed marriages as missionaries do today in heathen lands. The rest (hoi loipoi) for Gentiles (Eph 2:3) we have already had in 1Th 4:13; 1Th 5:6 which see. The Christian husband married his wife when he himself was an unbeliever. The word apistos sometimes means unfaithful (Luk 12:46), but not here (cf. Joh 20:27).
She is content (suneudokei). Late compound verb to be pleased together with, agree together. In the papyri.
Let him not leave her (mē aphietō autēn). Perhaps here and in 1Co 7:11, 1Co 7:13 aphiēmi should be translated “put away” like apoluō in Mar 10:1. Some understand aphiēmi as separation from bed and board, not divorce.