1 Corinthians 7:39 net — A wife is bound as long as her husband is living. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes(only…

NET Bible

"A wife is bound as long as her husband is living. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes(only someone in the Lord)."

— 1 Corinthians 7:39, NET Bible

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1 Corinthians 7:39 in Other Translations

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1 Corinthians 7 — Context

36

If anyone thinks he is acting inappropriately toward his virgin, if she is past the bloom of youth and it seems necessary, he should do what he wishes; he does not sin. Let them marry.

37

But the man who is firm in his commitment, and is under no necessity but has control over his will, and has decided in his own mind to keep his own virgin, does well.

38

So then, the one who marries his own virgin does well, but the one who does not, does better.

39

A wife is bound as long as her husband is living. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes(only someone in the Lord).

40

But in my opinion, she will be happier if she remains as she is– and I think that I too have the Spirit of God!

1 Corinthians 7:39 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Corinthians 7:39 say?
1 Corinthians 7:39 in the NET Bible reads: “A wife is bound as long as her husband is living. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes(only someone in the Lord).”
Where is 1 Corinthians 7:39 in the Bible?
1 Corinthians 7:39 is found in the New Testament, in the book of 1 Corinthians, chapter 7, verse 39.
Who wrote 1 Corinthians?
1 Corinthians is traditionally attributed to Paul the Apostle. It was written c. AD 55.
What is the book of 1 Corinthians about?
Paul writes to a gifted but fractured church wrestling with divisions, sexual sin, lawsuits, marriage questions, food offered to idols, and disorder in worship. Through every issue he points back to the cross, the Spirit, and the resurrection — and gives us the church's greatest chapter on love.
What are the major themes of 1 Corinthians?
1 Corinthians explores themes including Unity, Cross, Spiritual Gifts, Love, Resurrection. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 Corinthians 7:39.
What translation should I read 1 Corinthians 7:39 in?
1 Corinthians 7:39 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 1 Corinthians 7:39?
1 Corinthians 7:39 reads (NET): “A wife is bound as long as her husband is living. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes(only someone in the Lord).” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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