Marriage Advice Part 2

Review

Chapter 7 is dealing with marriage.

Especially important in context of Corinth’s immoral history.

Outline:

The Unmarried Christian 1-9

Christians Married to Unsaved Partners 10-24

Parents of Marriageable Girls 25-40

Tonight’s lesson: Christians Married to Unsaved Partners 10-24

Let it be clear Paul is not dealing with a Christian marrying an unsaved person.

He deals with that in 2 Cor. 6:14

2 Corinthians 6:14 KJV 1900

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

In 1 Cor. he is dealing with what happens if two unsaved people are married and one of them gets saved?

What Should they Do?

Should they divorce?

Today that is the easy way out for many. But, look at 1 Cor. 7:10

1 Corinthians 7:10 KJV 1900

10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:

If she does depart, she is to remain unmarried, 1 Cor 7:11

1 Corinthians 7:11 KJV 1900

11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

Notice also, the husband told not to put away his wife.

What then should they do?

Some Things are Clear

We can tell from verses 10- 11 that God’s plan did not include divorce.

**Let it be known I am not saying tonight that there is never a reason for divorce.

In cases of abuse, by all means, do what is needed to protect yourself.

In cases of infidelity, I would encourage you to forgive, but if it is not possible then divorce may be the only option.

What about in the case of the unsaved member?

1 Corinthians 7:12–13 KJV 1900

12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. 13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

If the unsaved spouse wants to remain married, the do so!

Why?

1 Corinthians 7:14 KJV 1900

14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

Why?

Because the unbelieving party (whether spouse or children) are sanctified by the believing spouse

This doesn't mean that they are saved, but rather God has set them apart in order to bless the saved spouse (whose primary purpose is to win their family for Christ!)

What If?

Suppose the unsaved spouse isn’t happy where they are?

Let them leave.

1 Corinthians 7:15–16 KJV 1900

15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. 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?

Notice there is no permission granted her for the remarriage on the saved spouse’s part

Reconciliation is the Bible mandate

(They should seek the salvation and restoration of the marriage without ceasing.)

PAUSE.

Verses 17-24 are a parenthetical break from the overall theme of Chapter 7. They do not deal specifically with marriage and the roles of spouses so much as they do with social standing.

The entire passage really deals with how believers deal with all relationships:

Jews (circumcised) do not become gentiles (uncircumcised).

Servant, remain faithful to your master. Free? Jesus is your Master.

The overall point of this section is that you remain faithful in the place where God has called you (unless the place is immoral).

Take away:

When you enter a relationship with Christ everything changes.

However, your personal relationships with and to others does not necessarily change

If you’re married, your still married as long as your spouse chooses to remain so.

Your social status does not change.