1 Corinthians 7:15 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →If the unbelieving spouse chooses to leave, the believer is released and need not fight to hold the marriage, for God calls us to peace.
What Does 1 Corinthians 7:15 Mean?
Paul now treats the harder case: the unbeliever insists on leaving. Then, he says, let them go. The believing brother or sister is not bound to chase or force the union. God's call is to peace, not endless strife.
Here mercy meets realism. Paul has urged faithfulness, but he will not chain a believer to an unwilling partner. When peace is impossible to keep, the believer may release the other and rest in God's calling. This frees a wounded spouse from guilt and from a fruitless struggle, entrusting the broken relationship to the God of peace.
1 Corinthians 7:15 in the Original Language
eirene (εἰρήνη), 'peace' -- wholeness and well-being, the settled rest God gives.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 7:15
What does 1 Corinthians 7:15 mean?
If the unbelieving spouse chooses to leave, the believer is released and need not fight to hold the marriage, for God calls us to peace.