The Big “D” (not Dallas)

Keep in mind Paul is now addressing issues the church at Corinth wrote and asked him about.

He started by dealing with sex, especially in the marital relationship and in the context of avoiding sexual immorality.

He wraps the first section speaking to the unmarried, including widows, and as far as Paul is concerned they would be better off remaining single unless it would cause them to stumble.

Since the Old Testament divorce has been an issue - Moses addressed it, Jesus addressed it and now Paul is addressing it.

The Pharisees came to Jesus trying to trap Him…

Mark 10:2–5 CSB

2 Some Pharisees came to test him, asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3 He replied to them, “What did Moses command you?” 4 They said, “Moses permitted us to write divorce papers and send her away.” 5 But Jesus told them, “He wrote this command for you because of the hardness of your hearts.

There must be some question in Corinth about divorce and if it is okay. I would also speculate that Paul is addressing this here right after making the statement of how it would be better to be single…

1 Corinthians 7:10–16 CSB

10 To the married I give this command—not I, but the Lord—a wife is not to leave her husband. 11 But if she does leave, she must remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband—and a husband is not to divorce his wife. 12 But I (not the Lord) say to the rest: If any brother has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 Also, if any woman has an unbelieving husband and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce her husband. 14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy by the husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is they are holy. 15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let him leave. A brother or a sister is not bound in such cases. God has called you to live in peace. 16 Wife, for all you know, you might save your husband. Husband, for all you know, you might save your wife.

Let us start by establishing Paul’s authority - Paul directly relates one command to Jesus but the other he qualifies and coming from him. This does not mean that Paul’s thoughts are not to be taken as instructions to follow.

If Paul is not speaking from a place of divine authority here the one would have to discount the rest of his writings but because God, through the Holy Spirit, has included these writings then we are safe to take them as God approved…

Also, keep in mind that Paul is addressing the church…

Divorce should not be an option between believers.

Technically, divorce should not be an option at all but we live in a fallen world.

Pauls uses the terms “leave” and “divorce” but in the 1st century there was no distinction.

God’s original intent was lifelong but like most things in this world God’s original intent has been distorted and broken.

Reconciliation is always the preferred outcome.

Even though scripture allows for divorce in certain circumstances there is nothing, that with Jesus, cannot be overcome.

Of course reconciliation is the goal for any conflict.

There is a good principle stated here too - Paul give 2 options - to not remarry, or reconcile. Here is the idea for both marriage and other conflicts - just because there is conflict and maybe even distance does not mean it cannot be fixed but it cannot be fixed if you run away to something (or someone) else.

We must hang in a attempt to fix our problems - unity and peace.

Next Paul addresses what happens if one spouse is a believer and the other isn’t.

Your relationship with Jesus can have a huge impact in the life of your family.

Again, while it is not what is desired, Paul allows for an unbeliever to leave.

The situation here is that both were unbelievers when they got married but one comes to know Jesus.

It will be tough because there will become a tension between following Jesus and His will for you life and also following God’s standard for how a husband and wife relate to one another.

If you can find the balance - keeping Jesus first always - then you will become a testimony to the other one.

You never know how you being where you are will help lead others to Christ.