1 Corinthians 7:39 — Meaning and Application

King James Version

“The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 7:39

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Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:

Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.

So then he that giveth {her} in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth {her} not in marriage doeth better.

The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.

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1 Corinthians 7:1

"Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: {It is} good for a man not to touch a woman."

1 Corinthians 7:2

"Nevertheless, {to avoid} fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband."

1 Corinthians 7:3

"Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband."

1 Corinthians 7:4

"The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife."

1 Corinthians 7:5

"Defraud ye not one the other, except {it be} with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency."

1 Corinthians 7:6

"But I speak this by permission, {and} not of commandment."

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