1 Corinthians 7:39

“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.”

Historical and Contextual Background:The Apostle Paul wrote the letter of 1 Corinthians to the church in Corinth, addressing various issues and questions they had raised. In this particular passage, Paul is discussing matters related to marriage and singleness.

The Bond of Marriage:Paul begins by stating that a wife is bound by the law as long as her husband lives. Marriage is a sacred covenant before God, and it is intended to be a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman. The phrase “bound by the law” implies that marriage is a binding agreement that should be respected and honoured.

Freedom in Widowhood:The verse continues by stating that if the husband dies, the wife is at liberty to be married to whom she will. In the case of the husband’s death, the wife is released from the bond of marriage. This does not mean that she is obligated to remarry, but it highlights her freedom to choose whether to remarry or remain single.

Marrying “Only in the Lord”:The passage concludes by adding the condition that if the wife chooses to remarry, it should be “only in the Lord.” This phrase suggests that a Christian widow should seek a marriage partner who shares her faith in Christ. The believer’s union with another believer is important to ensure spiritual compatibility, shared values, and a shared commitment to follow Christ.

Application for Today:While this passage specifically addresses widows, there are a few general principles that can be derived for today’s context.

• – Marriage is a sacred and binding commitment. It should be honoured and treated with respect.
• – Widowhood provides freedom of choice regarding remarriage. However, it is a personal decision whether to remarry or remain single.
• – Believers should prioritise spiritual compatibility when considering marriage. It is important to marry someone who shares their faith in Christ and is committed to living a life that pleases the Lord.

It is worth noting that this passage is specific to widows, and other passages in the Bible provide guidance on marriage, divorce, and singleness for different circumstances.

Remember, studying the Bible holistically and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit is important to gain a comprehensive understanding of God’s Word and its application to our lives.