Are you committed to a wife?This phrase addresses those who are already married. In the context of
1 Corinthians 7, Paul is responding to questions from the Corinthian church about marriage and singleness. The cultural backdrop includes a society where marriage was often seen as a social obligation. Paul emphasizes the sanctity and commitment of marriage, reflecting
Genesis 2:24, where a man is united with his wife. The commitment to a wife is a covenantal relationship, mirroring God's covenant with His people.
Do not seek to be released.
Paul advises against seeking divorce, aligning with Jesus' teachings inMatthew 19:6, where He states that what God has joined together, man should not separate. In the Greco-Roman world, divorce was relatively common and could be initiated by either party. Paul’s instruction underscores the permanence of marriage and the importance of faithfulness, reflecting God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with humanity.
Are you free of commitment?
This phrase refers to those who are unmarried or possibly widowed. In the early church, there was a debate about the virtues of singleness versus marriage. Paul acknowledges the benefits of singleness for undivided devotion to the Lord, as seen in1 Corinthians 7:32-35. The freedom from marital commitment allows for greater flexibility in ministry and service, echoing the life of Jesus, who was single and fully devoted to His mission.
Do not look for a wife.
Paul advises those who are single not to actively seek marriage, especially in light of the "present crisis" mentioned earlier in the chapter (1 Corinthians 7:26). This could refer to specific challenges faced by the Corinthian church or the broader eschatological expectation of Christ's return. The advice is not a prohibition against marriage but a call to prioritize spiritual matters and remain content in one's current state, as seen inPhilippians 4:11-12. This reflects the idea that one's identity and fulfillment are found in Christ, not in marital status.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Paul the ApostleThe author of 1 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth with guidance on marriage and singleness.
2.
CorinthA major city in ancient Greece, known for its diverse population and moral challenges, which influenced the issues Paul addresses in his letters.
3.
The Corinthian ChurchThe recipients of Paul's letter, a community of believers navigating their faith amidst a culturally complex environment.
Teaching Points
Understanding CommitmentPaul emphasizes the importance of honoring one's current marital status. If married, remain committed; if single, consider the benefits of singleness for serving God.
Contentment in Current CircumstancesBelievers are encouraged to find contentment in their present situation, whether married or single, trusting God's plan for their lives.
Focus on God's CallingThe primary focus should be on serving God, whether married or single. Each state has its unique opportunities and challenges for ministry.
Avoiding Unnecessary ChangePaul advises against seeking change for its own sake, suggesting that stability can lead to greater spiritual growth and service.
Marriage and Singleness as GiftsBoth marriage and singleness are seen as gifts from God, each with its own purpose and potential for glorifying Him.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 7:27?
2.How does 1 Corinthians 7:27 guide decisions about marriage and singleness today?
3.What does "bound to a wife" imply about marital commitment in a Christian context?
4.How can 1 Corinthians 7:27 be applied to modern relationship challenges?
5.How does this verse connect with Jesus' teachings on marriage in Matthew 19?
6.What practical steps can singles take to honor God, based on this verse?
7.What does 1 Corinthians 7:27 say about the sanctity of marriage and singleness?
8.How does 1 Corinthians 7:27 address the concept of marital commitment?
9.What historical context influenced Paul's message in 1 Corinthians 7:27?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 7?
11.What sexual acts are allowed in Christian marriage?
12.Proverbs 18:22: Does finding “favor from the Lord” by marrying imply that the single or the divorced lack divine blessing?
13.Does 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 contradict Jesus' teaching on divorce in Matthew 19:9?
14.When Paul says 'the time is short' in 1 Corinthians 7:29, does this suggest a failed expectation of an imminent end of the world?What Does 1 Corinthians 7:27 Mean
Are you committed to a wife? Do not seek to be released.“Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released.” (1 Corinthians 7:27a)
• Paul recognizes the covenant nature of marriage. Once a man has entered into this God-ordained bond, the right response is fidelity, not escape.
‑ Jesus said, “What therefore God has joined together, let man not separate” (Matthew 19:6).
‑Malachi 2:16 warns that the Lord hates divorce because it “covers one’s garments with violence.”
‑Ephesians 5:25–28 reminds husbands to love their wives “just as Christ loved the church,” underscoring permanence and sacrificial care.
• Paul’s counsel guards believers from treating marriage lightly or abandoning their vows under the pressure of hardship, persecution, or the allure of a supposedly freer single life.
• The instruction is not a denial of the biblical exceptions for divorce (e.g., sexual immorality inMatthew 5:32), but rather a call to honor vows where those exceptions are absent.
Are you free of commitment? Do not look for a wife.“Are you free of commitment? Do not look for a wife.” (1 Corinthians 7:27b)
• Paul encourages those presently single to remain so if they can, because:
‑ “The time is short” (1 Corinthians 7:29), highlighting the urgency of kingdom work.
‑ The unmarried can be “concerned about the things of the Lord—how to please the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:32).
‑ Jesus acknowledged singleness “for the sake of the kingdom of heaven” and said, “The one who can accept this should accept it” (Matthew 19:12).
• This is not a universal prohibition on marriage. Verse 28 follows immediately: “But if you do marry, you have not sinned.” Instead, Paul offers a wise, Spirit-inspired perspective for believers weighing life choices in a challenging cultural moment.
• Remaining single may spare a believer “many troubles in this life” (1 Corinthians 7:28), such as divided loyalties under persecution or economic strain. The guidance is pastoral, not legalistic.
summary1 Corinthians 7:27 calls married believers to honor and keep their vows, resisting any impulse to dissolve the union, while urging single believers to consider the advantages of remaining single for undistracted devotion to Christ. Both states—married and single—are gifts from God, to be embraced gratefully and stewarded faithfully in light of eternity.
(27)
Art thou bound unto a wife?--This is an explanation and re-assertion of the previous words "so to be." Being "loosed from a wife" does not mean a separation after marriage, but simply "unmarried."
Verse 27. -
Seek not a wife. It is entirely alien from St. Paul's purpose to take this as an abstract or universal rule. He gives his reasons for it as a
temporarynecessity.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Are you committedδέδεσαι(dedesai)Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 1210:To bind, tie, fasten; I impel, compel; I declare to be prohibited and unlawful. A primary verb; to bind.to a wife?γυναικί(gynaiki)Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1135:A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.{Do} notμὴ(mē)Adverb
Strong's 3361:Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.seekζήτει(zētei)Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2212:To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot.to be released.λύσιν(lysin)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3080:Dissolution, release; a loosing, divorce. From luo; a loosening, i.e., divorce.Are you freeλέλυσαι(lelysai)Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 3089:A primary verb; to 'loosen'.ofἀπὸ(apo)Preposition
Strong's 575:From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.[commitment]?γυναικός(gynaikos)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1135:A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.{Do} notμὴ(mē)Adverb
Strong's 3361:Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.look forζήτει(zētei)Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2212:To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot.a wife.γυναῖκα(gynaika)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1135:A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.
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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 7:27 Are you bound to a wife? Don't (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) 
