1 Corinthians 7:8-16
8: But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I.
9: But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. 10: But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband 11: (but if she does leave, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not divorce his wife.
12: But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her.
13: And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away.
14: For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy.
15: Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace.
16: For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?
Continuing his discussion on marriage, Paul said he believed it was good for the unmarried and widows to remain single as he was, considering the uncertain times they lived in. However, if they didn’t have self-control then they should marry. Sex within marriage is not a sin. Rather than make major decisions during those times—like getting married—Paul encouraged them to just stay as they were for the time being. Yet, if a person found themself having trouble remaining single in uncertain times like Paul suggested, struggling with sexual passions, then he said to go ahead and marry.
Paul then gave an instruction directly from the Lord that the married should not divorce. Neither husband nor wife should initiate it. He said the wife should not leave nor should the husband divorce. If the wife does leave, then she should remain unmarried or reconcile to her husband. This would be an avenue to follow in an abusive situation—leave but remain unmarried. The Lord does not like divorce. He would much rather see His people learn to work through their differences and remain together.
Paul then went back to giving his opinion, that if a Christian man or woman is married to an unbelieving spouse who was agreeable to live with him/her, then let the unbeliever stay. The believer is not defiled by an unbelieving spouse, but rather the unbelieving spouse is sanctified by the believer so the children would be holy. Of course, each person must accept the Lord’s salvation personally for themselves, and many spouses and children have done so through the example and instruction of a believing husband or wife.
However, Paul continued, if the unbelieving spouse wants to leave, let him/her leave. The believer should not leave the unbeliever, but if the unbeliever wants to go, then let him go. You don’t know whether you will be able to convert your spouse so don’t try and force him or her to stay.
9: But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. 10: But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband 11: (but if she does leave, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not divorce his wife.
12: But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her.
13: And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away.
14: For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy.
15: Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace.
16: For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?
***
Continuing his discussion on marriage, Paul said he believed it was good for the unmarried and widows to remain single as he was, considering the uncertain times they lived in. However, if they didn’t have self-control then they should marry. Sex within marriage is not a sin. Rather than make major decisions during those times—like getting married—Paul encouraged them to just stay as they were for the time being. Yet, if a person found themself having trouble remaining single in uncertain times like Paul suggested, struggling with sexual passions, then he said to go ahead and marry.
Paul then gave an instruction directly from the Lord that the married should not divorce. Neither husband nor wife should initiate it. He said the wife should not leave nor should the husband divorce. If the wife does leave, then she should remain unmarried or reconcile to her husband. This would be an avenue to follow in an abusive situation—leave but remain unmarried. The Lord does not like divorce. He would much rather see His people learn to work through their differences and remain together.
Paul then went back to giving his opinion, that if a Christian man or woman is married to an unbelieving spouse who was agreeable to live with him/her, then let the unbeliever stay. The believer is not defiled by an unbelieving spouse, but rather the unbelieving spouse is sanctified by the believer so the children would be holy. Of course, each person must accept the Lord’s salvation personally for themselves, and many spouses and children have done so through the example and instruction of a believing husband or wife.
However, Paul continued, if the unbelieving spouse wants to leave, let him/her leave. The believer should not leave the unbeliever, but if the unbeliever wants to go, then let him go. You don’t know whether you will be able to convert your spouse so don’t try and force him or her to stay.
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