1 Corinthians 7:12-16

                                                             1 Corinthians 7:12-16

To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

 

Believers should only marry other believers.  However, as the Gospel expand around the world, family members will be divided by salvation.  Usually, one spouse will become a believer before the other one.  Frequently, the unbelieving spouse will become a believer too.  However, there are many times that the unbelieving spouse will reject Christ.  It is this reality that Paul addresses in this passage.  His teaching on this subject is helpful and instructive but can be a little confusing too.  There are three general principles that guide this discussion.

 

BELIEVERS SHOULD NOT DIVORCE UNBELIEVERS: Marriage is important and even sacred to God.  Apparently, there were some people who were teaching that it was sinful for a believer to remain married to and maintain sexual relationships with an unbeliever.  Paul makes is very clear that this is not the case.  If the unbelieving spouse consents to remaining married, the believing spouse should remain in the marriage and maintain regular sexual relationships with the unbelieving spouse just as Paul taught earlier.  Marriage is sacred to the Lord and brings glory to Him.  We must never take it lightly and must do all we can to preserve it for the glory of God.

 

UNBELIEVERS ARE BLESSED BY MARRIAGE TO BELIEVERS: Paul teaches that an unbelieving spouse is made holy by the believing spouse and that the children from the marriage are also made holy.  This does not mean that they are automatically saved or justified from their sin.  It means that the marriage remains sacred to God and set apart for His glory by the presence of the believing spouse.  The children are also blessed by the same status.  God’s blessings are experienced and enjoyed by the spouses and children of believers.  The faithfulness and love of a believing spouse reflects the graciousness of the Father, so the marriage is sacred to Him.

 

BELIEVERS CANNOT PREVENT DIVORCE BY UNBELIEVERS: We cannot expect unbelievers to act as believers.  When one spouse comes to Christ and the other does not, the believing spouse will make radical changes in their lives.  They will spend time in the study of Scripture, prayer, fellowship with other believers, and give to the cause of advancing the Gospel.  They will talk about Christ and His amazing sacrifice.  Believers will also begin to avoid certain activities that the unbelieving spouse still wants to enjoy.  These changes are likely to cause the unbeliever to become frustrated and bring an end to the marriage.  When this is the case, the believer really cannot do much about it.  The believer should cooperate with a sweet attitude that the Lord just may use to bring the unbeliever to Himself.

 

APPLICATION: Recognize the importance and sacredness of marriage.  Strive to reflect the glory and beauty through our marriage and to our children.  Recognize that the advance of the Gospel and the glory of God are far bigger priorities than individual happiness or fulfillment. 

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