1 CORINTHIANS 7:39 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“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.”
A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. — The death of a spouse dissolves the marital bond; widowhood restores freedom. However, Paul adds a crucial qualification: any remarriage must be en kyriō (in the Lord), meaning she marries a believer. This counsel respects the widow's freedom while protecting against unequal yoking. The phrasing acknowledges that widows retain genuine choice.
Church Fathers on 1 Corinthians 7:39
“But if any man think that he behaves himself unseemly toward his virgin.” Here he seems to be talking about marriage; but all that he says relates to virginity; for he allows even a second marriage, saying, “only in the Lord.” Now what means, “in the Lord?” With chastity, with honor: for this is needed every where, and must be pursued for else we cannot see God. Now if we have passed lightly by what he says of virginity, let no one accuse us of negligence; for indeed an…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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