By Steve A. Hamilton

1 Corinthians 7:12-16

Introduction: Did the scripture reading leave you with a question?  You are certainly not the first.  The way it reads it sounds like a divorce is permissible if our unbelieving spouse decides to leave.  Yet, we know that the only exception allowed for a divorce is sexual immorality (Matt. 19:9).  Since God’s word does not contradict itself, if that is the proper understanding of the passage then we know we must be missing something.

          In this lesson, we will endeavor to come to a proper understanding of the passage concerning “a brother or sister is not under bondage in such cases.” 

I. Instructions given to the married (1 Cor. 7:10-11).

          A. This command is to all married persons; not just Christians.

          B. Marriage is a life long union (1 Cor. 7:39; Matt. 19:6; Rom. 7:3).

          C. There are only two alternatives for a spouse who violates the command to remain married.  This does not mean God condones the divorce that terminated in violation of His just stated command.  The alternatives are given as recognition that people will need a remedy when they find themselves in violation of the law.

          D. The exception for divorce ending in sexual immorality would not be a violation of the law since God authorized that exception (Matt. 19:9).

II. Instructions given to the rest (1 Cor. 7:12ff).

          A. Rest of what?  We could not assume it means those not previously addressed because Paul continues to address the married. 

          B. We could not assume “the rest” mean those Christians who are specifically married to non-Christians because they are still among the married.

          C. “The rest” seems to be a reference to the many questions Paul is addressing in relationship to the married.  We know Paul was addressing many questions in this letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 7:1, 25; 8:1; 12:1; 16:1, 12).

III. Instructions for Christians married to non-Christians.

          A. It is not material to the instructions as to how a Christian became married to a non-Christian.  We can easily think of many scenarios where this could happen even today.

          B. Paul’s instructions here are in complete harmony with Lord’s stated command for the married to stay married (1 Cor. 7:12-13).

          C. What Paul is addressing is the concern for the Christian who must be in subjection to a non-Christian that could interfere with his or her commitment to God.

          D. The marriage itself is just as sanctified (set free from sin) as any marriage. However, certain marriages under the Old Law would not have been sanctified if not authorized by law (Ex. Lev. 21:7; 22:12; Deut. 25:5; Jer. 16:1-4). Paul’s audience would likely be concerned with this point.

          E. What happens to a Christian who is left by her non-Christian spouse?  The unbeliever does not care what laws of God he breaks.  The unbeliever might not understand his spouse’s devotion to God.  The unbeliever’s demand for a divorce would mean the Christian violated the Lord’s command to stay married (if not clarified). 

IV. Not under bondage means not being subjected to slavery (1 Cor. 7:15).

          A. The word bondage in verse 15 is not the same Greek word that is translated bound in verses 27 and 39. 

                   1. The marriage type of bound is from the Greek word “deo.”  It is the same Greek word used in Rom. 7:2.   

                   2. However, the Greek word for bondage in verse 15 means slave or bondservant.  It is used 133 times in the New Testament and not once does it refer to marriage.  This passage is no exception.  One can be bound in marriage but marriage is not bondage.

          B. The proper understanding of “a brother or sister is not under bondage in such cases” means the Christian is not responsible to be in the service of the non-believing spouse who departed.  The Christian is no longer obligated in subjection to a non-believing spouse who departs. 

                   1. In other words, the Christian does not sin when God comes first which causes their spouse to leave.  Nor would the Christian be living in sin because he or she is no longer (having been separated) fulfilling their marriage obligations.  If the unbeliever leaves beyond the Christians control, the Christian has not sinned in the separation or by an unfulfilled duty to the departed unbeliever.

                   2. “He simply means that the believer is not so bound to the unbeliever that he must give up Christ to hold the unbeliever” (Roy Lanier, Sr.).  “He wishes to say that for a Christian to yield to pressure to give up his Christianity to preserve his marriage would mean slavery of the most abject kind” (Harvey Floyd).  (Difficult Texts of the New Testament Explained edited by Wendell Winkler, p. 248-249)

                   3. This passage does not permit divorce nor does it allow the spouse in such cases to remarry.  In fact, the Christian’s only two alternatives in this scenario would be to remain unmarried or be reconciled to the non-believing spouse (1 Cor. 7:11); just as previously commanded.

                   4. Paul is actually encouraging Christians to stay married to their unbelieving spouses. Who knows, the Christian might just convert their spouse to Christ (1 Cor. 7:16).

Conclusion: Remember, Christ comes before all others (Luke 14:26).  There is no exception for a spouse.  If that means your unbelieving spouse ends up leaving you, so be it.  Your not under bondage in such cases.

Last modified: 05/02/08