The immoral environment in Corinth was a big problem for the Church there and in chapter 7, Paul responds to a letter(it’s often wisdom to wait until we’re asked for our opinion!) and gives some guidance regarding marriage. Should people get married? What do they do if one becomes a believer? Can believers remarry?
Paul is glad to be single and to be fully devoted to serving the Lord, 1 Cor 7:35, but he doesn’t condemn those who want to be married, better to be married than to burn with passion in this promiscuous city/society. 1 Cor 7:9
If a husband or wife becomes a believer, they should stay with their spouse if the other is willing to live with them.
For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean but as it is, they are Holy. 1 Cor 7:14
This is a powerful verse! The believer carries the Spirit of God and they sanctify their spouse and children. God sees the whole family through the believing spouse and treats them as Holy.
In the Spreaker broadcasts we have been going through 2 Chr 8:11, Solomon moved Pharaoh’s daughter, his wife, out of the King David’s palace because anywhere the Ark of God had been was holy. Same truth, expressed in (OT) Old Testament times. God’s presence sanctifies, makes Holy.
But if the unbeliever leaves, let them do so. A believer is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. How do we know whether we will save our spouse? Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to them and to which God has called them this is the rule I lay down in all the churches. 1 Cor 7:15
It’s better for believers to stay married if possible and to live in peace, but if the unbelieving partner decides to leave, let them. Unfortunately this does happen today and some believers immediately pay a high price for coming to know Jesus, family breakup.
Paul states three times in this chapter that each of us should remain in the place God’s called us to. V17, 20, 23. I believe the context clearly shows Paul is talking about the believer’s marital status when they come to the Lord, don’t break up the family because of our faith.
He says believers shouldn’t even worry about being slaves, because of our freedom in Christ, but should get their freedom if they can. ‘You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men’. Once again Solomon didn’t enslave any Israelites, God’s people in the OT, 2 Chr 8:9. It’s said that the OT is a shadow of the New.
Paul concludes that a woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives(though not for adultery), but when he dies she can marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord! Getting married should be to a believer, not the same as coming to faith in a marriage. Amos 3:3 says, ‘how can two walk together unless they be agreed’? It’s much easier and more fulfilling for a believer to marry a believer, Paul gives wise advice.
God bless and keep you today.