1 Corinthians 7:16

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

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}?

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

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

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

Context of 1 Corinthians 7:16

This verse is part of Paul's extensive teaching on marriage and singleness in 1 Corinthians Chapter 7. Specifically, it follows his advice regarding believers married to unbelievers. Paul had previously stated that a believing spouse should not divorce an unbelieving partner who is content to remain, because the believing spouse "sanctifies" the unbeliever and their children (1 Corinthians 7:14). Verse 16 serves as a rhetorical question that both tempers and encourages, addressing the limits of human influence in matters of salvation, yet also hinting at a hopeful possibility.

Meaning and Key Themes

The core message of 1 Corinthians 7:16 revolves around the individual nature of salvation and the role of a believing spouse in a mixed-faith marriage. The rhetorical question, "For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save [thy] husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save [thy] wife?", highlights several key themes:

  • Individual Responsibility for Salvation: While a believing spouse's presence can bring a measure of holiness or blessing to the household, ultimately, conversion is a personal choice and a work of God's grace. No human can "save" another in the spiritual sense; salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8).
  • Hope for Conversion: Despite the rhetorical nature, the question can also be interpreted as implying a potential positive outcome. Paul isn't saying it's impossible for a spouse to be saved, but rather that it's beyond human certainty or guarantee. The believer's faithful living and witness can certainly be a powerful influence, as seen in other New Testament passages like 1 Peter 3:1-2, which encourages wives to win their husbands "without a word" by their godly conduct.
  • Trust in God's Sovereignty: The verse implicitly reminds believers to trust in God's timing and work, rather than feeling the burden of being solely responsible for their spouse's eternal destiny.

Linguistic Insights

The key word here is "save" (Greek: sōzō, σώζω). In this context, it unequivocally refers to spiritual salvation, the deliverance from sin and its consequences, leading to eternal life through faith in Christ. It's not about physical preservation or social betterment, but the ultimate spiritual redemption. Paul's use of a rhetorical question emphasizes that while human influence is present, the act of salvation is ultimately a divine work, initiated and completed by God.

Practical Application

For believers in mixed-faith marriages today, 1 Corinthians 7:16 offers both liberation and encouragement:

  • Relieve the Burden: Believers are freed from the crushing burden of feeling personally responsible for their spouse's salvation. While it's natural to desire this for loved ones, their conversion is ultimately in God's hands.
  • Live Authentically: The best "witness" is often a consistent, loving, and Christ-like life. By demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and living out their faith with integrity and grace, believers can powerfully impact their spouse.
  • Continue in Hope and Prayer: While salvation is not guaranteed by human effort, the verse does not extinguish hope. Believers should continue to pray for their spouses and seek opportunities to share their faith in winsome ways, trusting that God can work through their lives.
  • Maintain Marital Commitment: Within the broader context of 1 Corinthians 7, this verse reinforces Paul's teaching that believers should generally remain married to their unbelieving spouses if the unbeliever is willing, living out their calling within that relationship.

This verse encourages believers to be faithful witnesses within their marriages, while resting in the knowledge that salvation is a sovereign act of God, not dependent on human guarantees.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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