Divorce & Remarriage – 1 Corinthians 7
During the First Century, there was immense appreciation for
ascetic practices that included celibacy. In response to a letter from the
churches, the Apostle Paul writes to address prevailing concerns. He will make the case that while
there is good to celibacy, not all people are “called to it.” Celibacy would
not be the normative practice; marriage is, as with marriage comes a greater
degree of wholeness (not good for man to be alone, cf. Gen. 2:18). Paul prefers
celibacy (singleness) in light of the present environment , but it is not
something he can impose upon everyone, as celibacy/singleness is a gift from
God
26 I
think then that this is good in view of the present distress,
that it is good for a man to remain as he is.”
Context: The situation of the Corinthians is needful of exploration before diving into the 7th chapter. It seems the culture of Corinth pervaded the church. It had gone very far off the path of righteousness. There were divisions, disorders and difficulties within this church. The world was in the church! Chapter 6, verses 12-20 dealt with the issue of sexual purity, leading into chapter 7 on marriage. Keep in mind that Corinth was a den of sexual immorality, religious prostitution and the like. One of the prevailing themes of the latter part of chapter six was that of personal liberty – how far? Their reasoning was that since food “was both pleasurable and necessary, and the stomach to be satisfied when it signaled hunger,” so too was the need for sex.[1] Paul draws a sharp distinction here by stating that the body was not meant for sexual immorality, especially since it was God’s temple (6:15-17;6:14). He encourages believers to flee sexual immorality (like Joseph; Gen. 39:12) and consider how it affects both the vertical and horizontal relationships (6:17-20). It is within this context that many advocated celibacy, and began to impact husband and wife relationships/duties to each other.
Verse 1-2 He begins “Now, concerning the things about which
you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman”
Some had abandoned their duty to their married partner, even
abandonment in light of the Corinthian climate. “Not to touch a woman” was a
euphemism for sexual intercourse. One cannot be celibate in marriage, because
this would only lead to immorality. Sex is a necessary part of marriage (7:3-4)
3 The
husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to
her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority
over her own body, but the husband does;
and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but
the wife does.”
As an unmarried
person, the focus should be serving God (7:32). Married folks have the
additional obligation to meet each other’s needs. That of itself becomes the
source of conflicts (7:32-4; Gen. 3:16). With immorality being so prevalent,
and fornication so common, Paul advised the brethren to get married
2 But
because of immoralities, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to
have her own husband.”
Please note that he
is not saying that this is the only reason for getting married.
Now. Regarding marriage. “Each partner has rights. It is
expected that they pay their dues (ten
opheilen). This is a habitual duty. He stresses “the importance of giving
rather than getting. Marriage is the
giving of oneself to another.”[2]
3 The husband
must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her
husband.
Married people do not have the right to do as the please
with their bodies to the disadvantage of the other person. Both have
obligations to the other. Both are on the same level (do not have the authority
over the other). There is an expectation of reciprocity – “the emphasizing of
responsibilities to satisfy the other.”[3]
And in no way is sexual activity a defilement within the bounds of marriage
4 The
wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband
does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.”
Having thus far set the expectations for marriage, consider
the now the ethos of the marriage divorce debate.
Paul says, “I wish you were like me – single” (7:7). Jewish
men were required to be married and with children by the age of twenty. And
Paul had at one time been married (Acts 26:10), having been a member of the
Jewish Sanhedrin. Maybe he was a widower; maybe his wife left him when he
became a Christian. We do not know. But
he recognizes that not all men (and women) can handle being single. Singleness
(true) is a gift from God. He therefore affirms that singleness/celibacy is a
good thing.
7 Yet I
wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each man has his
own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that.
Exceptions for Marriage & Divorce
Divorce is acceptable
under only three circumstances:
1. Death of a spouse
2. (Unrepentant unfaithfulness) Immorality
3. Abandonment
1.
Divorcees may remarry – It is a good thing if
they remain unmarried, in the service of the Lord. However, as a single person,
not able to contain themselves, it is better to remarry (especially in light of
the immoralities of the day)
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.
Again, the context. “Many in Corinth were beginning to thing
that sexual activity was wrong, and engaged couples were avoiding tying the
know. Paul was giving them a divine command that they should not frustrate
themselves. Of course, it is the responsibility of each person to exercise
self-control
9 Or do
you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of
God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers,
nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor
thieves, nor the covetous,
nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of
God.
2.
Stay
Married – Given the pervading view on sex, Paul commands married people to
“stay married. Do not get divorced” for God hates divorce (Mk. 10:2-12).
·
However, if you are separated from your spouse,
remain that way or get back together (be reconciled).
·
Divorce only comes into play with the exception
Mat. 5 32 But
I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes
her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits
adultery.
Mat. 19 9 And I say to
you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and
marries another woman commits adultery.”
3. Abandonment - There were those in the church that were
married before conversion. Converting to Christianity was becoming a problem
for these folks. Because of their willingness to serve Christ, some were
beginning to think it was better to divorce their spouse and marry Christians.
Imagine the mess this would cause! One can make an excellent case for leaving
the unbelieving spouse, but all marriages are permanent in the eyes of God
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.
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.
“If the unbeliever takes the initiative, then the believer
is NOT
BOUND.”[4] The deserted partner is free to
remarry, as the broad concern for God is PEACE. Keep in mind that we ought to
consider the possibility that God may save the partner because of the other’s
testimony
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?
Here’s the thing.
Marriage should never be a tool for evangelism. How does this command shape
those who seek to marry an unbeliever with the hopes of “saving them?” “To
cling to a marriage in which the pagan is determined to end would inevitably
lead to frustration and tension. The guiding principle must be peace.”[5]
At the end of the day, we should live contented lives
17 Only, as the Lord has assigned to each
one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And so I direct
in all the churches.
[1]
John F. Walvoord & Roy B. Zuck, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Colorado
Springs: David C. Cook, 1983).
[3]
Walvoord & Zuck, Commentary, 517.
[4]
Morris, 1 Corinthians, 7.
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