1 Corinthians 7

Monday, 21 July 2014

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. 1 Corinthians 7:15

Jesus had said that the only reason for divorce is adultery. When saying this, He was speaking to the covenant people, Israel, and at a time which was under the law. Paul, now writing to the church for church-age doctrine, has been careful to repeat Jesus’ words and note that they are, in fact, His words. After citing that, he said in verse 12, “But to the rest I, not the Lord, say…”

He then went on to say that a believer cannot leave a non-believing spouse and he gave a very important reason for it. Verse 15 is still a part of Paul’s personal directions and it may seem, at first, contrary to Jesus’ words, but it is not. He is being carried by the Spirit and his words have become a part of God’s word.

“But” begins this verse and it is in contrast to the two previous verses. “If the unbeliever departs, let him depart.” This goes in either direction, whether the unbeliever is a man or a woman, but he uses the masculine for both as will be seen in a moment. Either way, if an unbeliever wants to be out of the marriage, then the believer may let them go. In fact, they probably don’t have any choice in the matter in most countries and cultures anyway. If they want to go and can go, then there is nothing which mandates that they must stay.

Paul then explains this position by saying that “a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases.” We, as believers, have been brought out from the bondage of sin to a new master. To be in a different form of bondage wouldn’t suit our new position and calling, and it could only be detrimental to our walk with the Lord. Therefore, to release the unbeliever is acceptable when they wish to go. And the reason is that “God has called us to peace.”

We are His and we are to live in peace under His authority. If our allegiances are skewed because of a marriage fraught with conflict and trial, then we are not living in the peace which He intends for us. And so in this verse we have the only other reason which is biblically acceptable for dissolving a marriage. Understanding this then, we need to think rationally and carefully about our marriage choices and do our utmost to adhere to the commands of the Bible.

Life application: Let us stand firm on the Bible, even through those issues which may be difficult or even displeasing. We have been called to obey the prescriptive statements made there and it is unwise and inappropriate to pick and choose which ones we will adhere to.

Heavenly Father, again I look at Your word and I see commands which are hard for me to accept at given times of my life. But if I am honestly concerned about pleasing You, I will accept them as written and in the context in which they are given. Those which apply to me directly will be those things which I will determine to do, even if they are hard to meet or unpleasant to me. Your will O God, not mine! Amen.

Sunday, 20 July 2014

For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. 1 Corinthians 7:14

Paul now states a truth about marriage that affects the children of the marriage. It is a tenet which is so remarkable that this verse should be remembered by every believer. There is a premise in the Bible which is inescapable and which goes all the way back to the fall of man. God created our first father, Adam. At this time, there was a spiritual connection between the man and his God.

However, Adam was given a warning –

“And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.'” Genesis 2:16, 17

The narrative goes on to show that Adam disobeyed God. However, he continued to live until the age of 930 years. This shows us one of two possibilities:

1) Either what God said wasn’t true, or
2) The man did die, spiritually.

The second is correct and it is the premise of the Bible from that point on. Adam became a physical being with a soul, but no “spiritual” connection to God; he died spiritually. What is implied throughout the rest of Scripture is that all men are born into Adam. We are physical beings, with a soul, but no “spiritual” connection to God. We are conceived in sin (Psalm 51:5) and are spiritually dead and thus all are “condemned already” (John 3:18 & Ephesians 2:1, etc).

This is actually confirmed implicitly in the account of Cain and Abel. They brought an offering to the Lord without the Bible noting any offense committed by them before the offering was made. In essence, the implication is that they understood this spiritual disconnect existed in them. And the fact that sin reigned is evident by the actions of Cain who killed his brother. Thus Paul’s words, “all have sinned” confirms that we are born in sin; it is inherited and we are born separate from God; spiritually dead.

Time and again, the Bible uses this concept of being “in” someone to remind us that we are all descendants of Adam by blood and thus we are “in” Adam. This is why there are such meticulous genealogies recorded in both Testaments of the Bible.  It is to show that connection all the way back to Adam who was created by God. When Adam sinned, we therefore sinned “in” Adam. Paul explains this in Romans 5:12 –

“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.” Romans 5:12

Jesus came to repair this spiritual disconnect. Without Him, there is no hope for restoration to God. Only through Him can the breech be repaired. Understanding the rite of circumcision will help us comprehend this. Circumcision was given as a sign to the covenant people. It pictures “cutting away” the inherited sin, because that sin transfers through the father. Thus, by cutting the male organ, the sin is pictured to be “cut away.” As it was only a picture, the covenant people waited for the Messiah who would actually fulfill that picture.

When Jesus came, He was born of a woman (thus He is fully human), but without a human father. He inherited no sin from Adam. His Father being God (thus He is fully God) meant that He was born without sin. Therefore, He was qualified to replace Adam. The four gospels are then given to provide a record of His life. He was born without sin, just as Adam was created without sin. But He still needed to live without sin. The gospels show this to be the case. He lived without sin, prevailed over the law, and He died under the law without sin. Therefore, He prevailed over sin. In Him, sin (and thus spiritual death) is defeated. The Lamb had overcome. So what does this have to do with 1 Corinthians 7:14? Paul says, “For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband.” This does not mean that they are “saved” through the unbelieving spouse. But it sanctifies them for a very important reason. And this reason is that, “otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.”

The inherited sin of Adam exists in all people from the moment of conception. We are conceived, born, and live separate from God until the time we call on Christ and are spiritually regenerated (John 3:16, Romans 8, etc). If we never call on Christ, we will die “in Adam” and thus separate from God. But in His great mercy, God has allowed these children of a believer to be regarded as “holy” until the time that they are old enough to choose or reject Christ. Nothing “unclean” can ever enter into God’s presence and, therefore, no child is saved – at any age – without Christ’s covering.

In the case of a Christian family though, these children are set apart. However, if the marriage is dissolved by the believer, this is lost. Therefore, the sanctification of the parents is necessary to provide this set-apart state for the children. Without it, they are no longer set-apart. This may sound like a cruel and uncaring God, but it is exactly the opposite. He allows us free-will. From Adam to us we have made our choices and we must live by them. But He has also offered us His Son and the protections which come through Him. Therefore, what we perceive as uncaring is actually a demonstration of the greatest grace and mercy imaginable!

Life application: Our earthly choices can have spiritual consequences that we don’t even realize unless we study and then adhere to the Bible’s precepts. Let us also never impute “wrongdoing” or a state of “uncaring” to God. Rather, let us exalt Him for His unmerited grace and mercy.

Lord God, Your word shows the most wonderful, caring, and glorious love for Your people. Despite our choices which have separated us from You, You have come and intervened in the affairs of man to make all things right once again. You have sent Jesus to quicken our spirits and to restore us to fellowship with You. Thank You for this great and marvelous Gift of life! Thank You for our Lord Jesus! Amen.

Saturday, 19 July 2014

 And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. 1 Corinthians 7:13

This verse is the flip side of what Paul said in verse 12 – “If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her.” By saying this, he is confirming that there is no excuse by either spouse, if a believer, for leaving the marriage relationship. They are bound to their oath regardless if it was made before conversion or not, and even if the other spouse fails to call on Christ.

The reason for his words are coming in the next verse and they show us the immense importance of remaining married, even to an unbeliever.

Life application: We are expected to remain committed to our spouse. We are not granted “wiggle room” in this.

Lord God, help each of us to be obedient to Your word and to cling to what is right, even if it means our unhappiness for a while. In the end, obedience to You in a state of difficulty or sadness is surely preferable to disobedience accompanied by temporary happiness. Help us to think this through O God. Surely Your word is always given for our ultimate good and for a closer walk with You. Amen.

Friday, 18 July 2014

But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. 1 Corinthians 7:12

Paul has addressed those who wish to remain celibate, those who are widowed, and those who are married. However, he will now discuss a new group and his words are immensely important. The reason why will be given, but it actually deals with those who are affected by the marriage as much as those who are married. The issue he will now address is that of mixed marriages, where one is a believer and one is not.

To begin, he says, “But to the rest I, not the Lord, say…” He is very careful to mark a distinction between the directives personally given by the Lord and those that are given by him. His words, however, have no less import than those of the Lord. This is because they are a part of the Bible which is God’s word. They are given under the inspiration of the Spirit and must be considered authoritative. And so he begins with, “If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her.”

A believing man with a non-believing spouse may not divorce her because she is an unbeliever. He got himself into the marriage and he has no right (with the previously noted exception of adultery) to terminate the marriage. The fact that he is (or became) a believer and she is a non-believer is irrelevant. He is obligated to his vows and he must stay with his wife no matter what. Again, reasons will be given for this, and they will not only affect the husband and the wife, but others as well. And it includes a reason that addresses a theological issue which goes all the way back to the fall of man.

Life application: As with the previous verses, we can clearly see that there is no reason, apart from adultery, to terminate a marriage. We cannot “excuse” our actions in divorce. And yet divorce has become as common as going to the store for groceries. The Lord cannot be pleased with the flagrant disregard of this by His people.

Lord, how often I error in my thoughts and actions and then try to make excuses for the wrong I have committed. Forgive me for trying to justify the unjustifiable and grant me the wisdom to accept my faults, confess them as faults, and determine to not make them in the future. And keep me filled with Your word so that I can recognize what is wrong before it comes my way and to stay on the correct and noble path. Thank You Lord. Amen.

17 July 2014

But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife. 1 Corinthians 7:11

This verse follows on from the instruction in verse 10. It is another regularly neglected and abused tenet from Scripture, and yet it is clear and concise. If a woman has departed from her husband, she needs to “remain unmarried.” Excuses as to “why” a woman left her husband (with the noted exception of adultery) are irrelevant. No other words are given which negate this precept and Paul’s words here are not merely cultural or passing away. They are doctrine for the church. To disobey them is to disobey the Lord who inspired the words.

And so in this case, the woman is to “remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband.” This brings up an obvious problem though. What if the husband has gone and remarried? In this case, it would imply that the marriage bond is irretrievably broken and therefore she would be free from this constraint. However, it is not explicitly, but only implicitly to be inferred. No matter what, the stricter judgment on this matter is preferred. It is not acceptable for a woman to leave her husband and go to marry another.

But there is more. Paul then explains that “a husband is not to divorce his wife.” This follows on from Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:32 –

“But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.”

These words from the Lord, and also from Paul, show us that the marriage bond within the Christian context is to be held in the highest regard and is to be considered sacred. It is a violation of the will of the Lord for couples to divorce for any reason except adultery.

Life application: When you said, “I do” you were confining yourself before God to the bonds of a marriage that are not to be dissolved except through death. Divorce is not an acceptable alternative to unhappiness. Having said “I do” you should always be content with the thought that “I still do.”

Lord, it is beyond imagination to me how we can call on You to be saved and then not want to know You intimately through the study of Your word. The Bible is the most wonderful gift, the greatest treasure, and the most uplifting joy that I can imagine. And yet we go to church and hear sermons that rarely if ever show us the beauty and marvel of what is contained in its pages. Help us to get our thoughts and hearts directed toward You and give us a desire to know Your word more each day. Amen.