1 Corinthians 7,10-16
1 Corinthians 7:10-16
April 7, 2002
Intro: Again, in chapters 7-9 Paul seems to be answering a series of questions that were possibly presented to him from the church at Corinth.
A- We have the benefit of his answers and application to our church and lives.
1- The bible applicable to everyday life.
2 Timothy 4:2, Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince (correct misbehavior or false teaching), rebuke (Bringing someone under the conviction of guilt for the purpose of repentance) , exhort (to encourage someone in their walk with the Lord), with all longsuffering and teaching.
a- And that is what Paul is doing with Corinth and tonight at CCO.
B- The questions that he seems faced seem to be along the lines of:
#1- What is right concerning divorce in marriage.
#2- What about those who are married to unbelievers and wish to
remain married, is this OK.
#3- What of those who are married to unbelievers and the unbeliever
no longer wishes to remain married, is divorce then allowed.
1- The assumption here is that the believer came to salvation after marriage.
1 Corinthians 7:10-11, Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband.11 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- What is right concerning divorce in marriage.
A- It’s possible that Paul is writing in response to a question asked after hearing of what he said earlier. (V:1&8)
1- It seems that he is dealing with divorce in a marriage where both husband and wife are believers.
l- “Not I but the Lord”
A- Since there is a biblical precedent on this matter Paul that is where Paul goes.
1- He is saying, “this is what Jesus said on the matter”.
Turn to Matthew 19:3-10 (NOTICE: Jesus goes with biblical
precedents.)
Genesis 2:24, Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
a- This being the case how could divorce be possible???
Turn to Malachi 2:13-16
Turn to Proverbs 5:15-23
1 Corinthians 7:11, 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.
A- Some may have already gone in the direction of divorce thinking that they are doing the godly thing.
1- If this is the case (with godly knowledge comes godly responsibility).
a- Either stay single (to remarry would be a perpetual state of adultery)
- Something God would not bless.
b- OR be remarried. (To the former spouse)
Ø This is the command of the Lord concerning Christians and divorce.
1 Corinthians 7:12-14, 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.13 And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him.14 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.
#2- What about those who are married to unbelievers and wish
to remain married, is this OK.
A- The question of an obligation to divorce could have arisen because of what Paul said earlier again.
Read 1 Corinthians 6:14-18
1- Corinth was a hot bed for Paganism and there were many who had pagan spouses.
l- But to the rest I, not the Lord, say:
A- Must mean what he is about to say DOES NOT COUNT
1- Obviously, this statement does not dilute what he has to say.
a- Contrary to the last issue this is not something that the Lord specifically addressed up to this point (BUT HE is about to)
b- What Paul is about to say is as inspired as the red letters in your bible, this is not just his opinion.
REMEMBER: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2- Peter recognized the writings of Paul as scripture.
Turn to 2 Peter 3:14-16
a- So through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit the Lord is addressing this situation.
Ø Is the believers life, marriage, children defiled because of their becoming one with an unbeliever?
2 Corinthians 6:14-15, Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?
A- REMEMBER; the context is that of a person that came to salvation AFTER marriage.
1- Paul’s answer is that it’s the unbelieving spouse, children, whole household is actually sanctified because of this union.
a- Sanctified does not mean salvation but separated to the grace of God.
See Genesis 18:22-33
- The same blessing the world receives because of the existence of the church.
1 Corinthians 7:15, 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.
#3- What of those who are married to unbelievers and the
unbeliever no longer wishes to remain married, is divorce
then allowed.
A- What if my spouse just can’t deal with me being “born again” and leaves.
1- “Leaves” = divorces
2- “Bondage” = Desiring all that marriage has to offer and not being able to partake through no fault of your own.
Ø The bible allows 3 ways for the bond of husband and wife to be broken.
#1- Death
Romans 7:2, For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband.
#2- Adultery
Matthew 19
#3- Abandonment
B- In verse 11 remarriage, without a biblical reason, is forbidden.
1- Here is Verse 15 when divorce is permitted remarriage is permitted.
Ø What about if your spouse is a believer and abandons the marriage does this still apply.
Turn to Matthew 18:15-20
1 Corinthians 7:15, 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.
Ø What about emotional abandonment??
A- Physical abuse, Mental abuse,
Read verses 15-16
Close 1 Peter 3:1-12