1 Corinthians 7:16

KJV

For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save [thy] husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save [thy] wife?

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} what {G5101} knowest thou {G1492}, O wife {G1135}, whether {G1487} thou shalt save {G4982} thy husband {G435}? or {G2228} how {G5101} knowest thou {G1492}, O man {G435}, whether {G1487} thou shalt save {G4982} thy wife {G1135}?

Complete Jewish Bible

For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

Berean Standard Bible

How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

American Standard Version

For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O husband, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 7:16, the Apostle Paul employs a rhetorical question to address believing spouses in mixed-faith marriages, asking, "For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?" This verse serves as both a tempering of expectations and a subtle encouragement, highlighting the ultimate sovereignty of God in salvation while affirming the potential for a believing spouse's faithful witness to be used by God, without placing the burden of conversion squarely on human effort.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Paul's extensive discourse on marriage and singleness in [1 Corinthians 7](/1-corinthians/7 "1 Corinthians 7 - Paul's Teaching on Marriage and Singleness"). Specifically, it follows Paul's counsel regarding believers married to unbelievers. In [1 Corinthians 7:12-14](/1-corinthians/7-14 "1 Corinthians 7:12-14 - Mixed Marriages and Sanctification"), Paul advises that a believing spouse should not initiate divorce if the unbelieving partner is content to remain married, because the believing spouse "sanctifies" the unbeliever and their children. Verse 16 then acts as a crucial clarification and a rhetorical flourish, preventing the believing spouse from assuming their presence guarantees salvation, while simultaneously holding out a glimmer of hope for their partner's conversion. It underscores that while a believer's presence brings a unique blessing and influence, the ultimate act of salvation is God's work.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan city known for its diverse religious practices and moral laxity. Marriage was a fundamental social institution, often arranged, and divorce was common, particularly in the Greco-Roman world. For early Christians, marrying outside the faith or remaining in a pre-conversion mixed marriage presented unique challenges regarding social integration, religious purity, and household spiritual dynamics. Paul's teaching here provided practical guidance for believers navigating these complex relationships, particularly when the Christian faith was a minority religion. The concept of "household" was significant, often encompassing extended family and servants, and the conversion of one member could have profound implications for the entire unit.
* **Key Themes:** [1 Corinthians 7](/1-corinthians/7 "1 Corinthians 7 - Paul's Teaching on Marriage and Singleness") grapples with several profound themes, to which verse 16 contributes significantly. It emphasizes the **sanctity and permanence of marriage** (unless specific conditions are met, as in [1 Corinthians 7:15](/1-corinthians/7-15 "1 Corinthians 7:15 - The Unbelieving Spouse Departs")). The verse also highlights the **individual nature of salvation**, underscoring that while God uses human instruments, conversion is ultimately a divine work of grace and a personal response of faith. Furthermore, it subtly introduces the theme of **hope and faithful witness** within challenging circumstances, suggesting that a believer's consistent, godly life can be a powerful testimony, as echoed in [1 Peter 3:1-2](/1-peter/3-1-2 "1 Peter 3:1-2 - Wives Winning Husbands Without a Word"). Finally, it touches on **God's sovereignty** in matters of eternal destiny, relieving believers of an undue burden for outcomes that are ultimately in God's hands.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **knowest thou (Greek, _eídō'_):** This verb, often translated as "to see" or "to perceive," carries the strong implication of "to know" in its perfect tense, as used here. It refers to a deep, certain knowledge or understanding. Paul's rhetorical question, "For what knowest thou," implies a lack of certain human knowledge or guarantee regarding the outcome of another's salvation. It challenges any presumption that a believing spouse could definitively predict or control their partner's spiritual destiny.
* **save (Greek, _sṓzō'_):** Derived from a root meaning "safe," this verb encompasses deliverance, preservation, healing, and making whole. In the context of Paul's epistles, and particularly when discussing spiritual matters, _sṓzō_ unequivocally refers to spiritual salvation—deliverance from sin, its penalty, and its power, leading to eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. It is not about physical preservation or social betterment, but the ultimate spiritual redemption that only God can accomplish.
* **wife (Greek, _gynḗ'_)/husband (Greek, _anḗr'_):** These terms refer specifically to a woman, particularly a wife, and a man, particularly a husband. Their pairing in this verse highlights the reciprocal nature of the question, applying equally to both believing wives with unbelieving husbands and believing husbands with unbelieving wives. This emphasizes the universal principle that no human, regardless of their intimate relationship, possesses the power or certainty to effect another's spiritual salvation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband?"**: This initial clause poses a direct rhetorical question to the believing wife. The "For" (G1063, _gár_) introduces a reason or explanation for Paul's preceding counsel. The question challenges the wife's presumed knowledge or ability to guarantee her husband's salvation. It implies that she does not, in fact, know with certainty, nor does she possess the power to "save" him in the ultimate spiritual sense.
* **"or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?"**: This parallel clause extends the same rhetorical question to the believing husband. The structure mirrors the first, reinforcing the universal principle that applies to both genders. The "how" (G5101, _tís_) further emphasizes the lack of human means or method by which one could effect the spiritual salvation of another. Both parts of the question underscore that salvation is not a human achievement or guarantee, but a divine work.

#### Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs a **Rhetorical Question** in 1 Corinthians 7:16. This is a question posed for effect rather than to elicit an answer, as the implied answer is "you do not know" or "you cannot." This device powerfully conveys Paul's point that human beings cannot guarantee or solely effect the salvation of another, even an intimate spouse. The verse also exhibits clear **Parallelism**, repeating the same question structure for both the wife and the husband ("For what knowest thou, O wife... or how knowest thou, O man..."). This structural repetition emphasizes the universal applicability of the principle, ensuring that neither gender feels singled out or uniquely burdened. Furthermore, there is an element of **Antithesis** implied between human effort/knowledge and divine sovereignty, though not explicitly stated as a literary device, it undergirds the theological message.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Corinthians 7:16 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of salvation and human responsibility. It clarifies that while believers are called to live faithfully and be a witness, the act of conversion is ultimately a sovereign work of God's grace, not a human achievement or guarantee. This truth liberates believers from the crushing burden of feeling solely responsible for the eternal destiny of their loved ones, while simultaneously encouraging them to maintain a hopeful and consistent witness within their marriages. It underscores that God alone draws individuals to Himself, and while He uses means, He is not limited by them, nor is human effort sufficient to bring about spiritual rebirth.

* [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")
* [John 6:44](/john/6-44 "John 6:44 - No One Can Come Unless the Father Draws Him")
* [1 Peter 3:1-2](/1-peter/3-1-2 "1 Peter 3:1-2 - Wives Winning Husbands Without a Word")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers in mixed-faith marriages today, 1 Corinthians 7:16 offers a profound mixture of liberation, encouragement, and clear guidance. It frees the believing spouse from the immense pressure of feeling personally responsible for their partner's salvation. While the desire for a spouse's conversion is deeply natural and commendable, this verse reminds us that salvation is ultimately a work of God's Spirit, not a result of human manipulation, persuasion, or even perfect living. This truth allows believers to love their spouses unconditionally, without the added burden of an outcome they cannot control. Instead, it shifts the focus to faithful living, prayer, and trusting God's sovereign timing. The best "witness" often comes not from incessant verbal evangelism, but from a consistent, Christ-like life lived with integrity, patience, and love, demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel in daily interactions. This verse encourages continued hope and prayer, knowing that God can use even the quiet testimony of a godly life to draw an unbelieving spouse to Himself.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What burdens or expectations have I placed on myself regarding the salvation of loved ones, and how does this verse relieve those burdens?**
* **How can I live out my faith authentically and lovingly in my marriage, trusting God with the outcome of my spouse's spiritual journey?**
* **In what ways does this verse encourage me to persist in prayer for my unbelieving spouse, even when I see no immediate change?**

### FAQ
**Does 1 Corinthians 7:16 mean I shouldn't try to share my faith with my unbelieving spouse?**

Answer: Not at all. Paul's rhetorical question is not meant to discourage evangelism or witness, but to temper expectations and highlight the ultimate sovereignty of God in salvation. While you cannot *guarantee* or *force* your spouse's salvation, your faithful living and verbal witness can be powerful instruments that God uses. Other passages, like [1 Peter 3:1-2](/1-peter/3-1-2 "1 Peter 3:1-2 - Wives Winning Husbands Without a Word"), explicitly encourage wives to win their husbands through godly conduct. The verse simply reminds us that the final act of conversion is God's work, not ours, freeing us from undue pressure while still encouraging us to be faithful ambassadors for Christ in our homes.

**What does Paul mean by "save" in this context? Is it only spiritual salvation?**

Answer: In 1 Corinthians 7:16, the Greek word for "save" (G4982, _sṓzō_) unequivocally refers to spiritual salvation—deliverance from sin and its eternal consequences through faith in Jesus Christ. While a believing spouse's presence can bring a measure of "sanctification" or blessing to the household (as mentioned in [1 Corinthians 7:14](/1-corinthians/7-14 "1 Corinthians 7:14 - Sanctification in Mixed Marriages")), this does not equate to the unbelieving spouse being spiritually saved. Paul is addressing the ultimate eternal destiny, emphasizing that no human can bring about another's spiritual rebirth; that is solely the work of God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Corinthians 7:16 powerfully underscores a foundational truth of the Christian faith: no human being can "save" another. This inability of a spouse to guarantee the salvation of their beloved points directly to the exclusive and perfect saving work of Jesus Christ. While we are called to be witnesses and live lives that reflect the transforming power of the Gospel, the ultimate act of drawing, convicting, and regenerating a heart belongs to God alone. This verse implicitly magnifies the unique role of Christ as the only Savior. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), the one who [gave His life as a ransom for many](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve and Give His Life"). Unlike any human effort, Christ's sacrifice on the cross was fully sufficient to atone for sin, and His resurrection demonstrates His power over death and the grave. Therefore, when Paul states that a spouse cannot know if they will save their partner, he is subtly directing our gaze to the one who *can* and *does* save: Jesus Christ, for [there is salvation in no other](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation in No Other Name"), and [He is the way, the truth, and the life](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, Life"), through whom alone one can come to the Father.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Peter 3:1

¶ Likewise, ye wives, [be] in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

1 Peter 3:2

While they behold your chaste conversation [coupled] with fear.

Romans 11:14

If by any means I may provoke to emulation [them which are] my flesh, and might save some of them.

1 Corinthians 9:22

To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all [men], that I might by all means save some.

James 5:19

Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;

James 5:20

Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

1 Timothy 4:16

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.