Yet if the unbelieving one is leaving, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us in peace.
Parallel translations
- WEB Yet if the unbeliever departs, let there be separation. The brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us in peace.
- KJV 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.
- BSB But if the unbeliever leaves, let him go. The believing brother or sister is not bound in such cases. God has called you to live in peace.
- NKJV But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace.
- NLT (But if the husband or wife who isn’t a believer insists on leaving, let them go. In such cases the believing husband or wife is no longer bound to the other, for God has called you to live in peace.)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
If the unbeliever chooses to leave, let them go; the believer is not bound, for God has called us to peace. It matters because it gives gracious freedom when an unbelieving spouse abandons the marriage.
Overview
Paul addresses desertion: if an unbelieving spouse insists on leaving, the believer should not forcibly prevent it and is 'not under bondage' in such cases. Christians differ over whether this frees the deserted believer to remarry, and faithful interpreters hold differing views; all agree God calls His people to peace, not to a life of conflict. The verse offers pastoral relief without endorsing divorce as desirable.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Rom 14:19So then, let us follow after things which make for peace, and things by which we may build one another up.
- 2 Cor 13:11Finally, brothers, rejoice. Be perfected, be comforted, be of the same mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.
- Jas 3:17–18But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
- 1 Cor 14:33for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the saints.
- Matt 12:50For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
- Rom 12:18If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.
- Heb 12:14Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man will see the Lord,
- Gal 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,
- Jas 2:15And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food,
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Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.
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Original language
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