1 Corinthians 7:39 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Marriage binds for life; a widow is free to remarry whom she chooses, so long as it is in the Lord.
What Does 1 Corinthians 7:39 Mean?
Paul turns to the widow. The marriage bond holds as long as the husband lives -- a lasting commitment. But once he has died, she is free to marry again, to whomever she wishes, with one guiding condition: "only in the Lord."
Paul affirms both the seriousness of the marriage covenant and the genuine freedom of the widow afterward. Her liberty is real, yet not unbounded: her choice should be a fellow believer, one who shares her devotion to Christ. This single condition keeps her remarriage within the warmth of shared faith, ensuring that her new home, like her heart, belongs to the Lord.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 7:39
What does 1 Corinthians 7:39 mean?
Marriage binds for life; a widow is free to remarry whom she chooses, so long as it is in the Lord.