First Corinthians 7 is a tremendous chapter dealing with an important, though often controversial, subject. In verses 1-7, Paul gave some general principles about marriage and sexual relations (see the May 28, 2006, bulletin article). In these verses Paul told his readers that it was better to be single. He later revealed the reason why: there was a "present distress," probably persecution related, that would result in "trouble in the flesh" for those who were married (1 Cor. 7:26, 28). Since the apostle said it was best to remain single, many questions would arise concerning people who were already in various marital states. These questions are answered by Paul in this section.

The Unmarried and Widows

Paul writes, "I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I" (1 Cor. 7:8). To abide like Paul was to be unmarried. Paul is saying that it is good for those not bound by marriage to remain as they are. However, Paul does qualify the preferred state of being unmarried, "But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn" (1 Cor. 7:9). The word translated "cannot contain [have no continency, ASV; cannot exercise self-control, NKJ]" refers to those who cannot control themselves or curb their sexual desire.1 "Burn" may refer to being consumed with sexual desire that leads to sin (cf. 1 Cor. 7:2)-the NKJ translates, "burn with passion" (cf. Mt. 5:28; 1 Tim. 5:11-15), or to burning in Gehenna because of sin (cf. 1 Cor. 6:9-10). In either case, it is better to marry!

Those Who Are Already Married

Paul continues, "And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband" (1 Cor. 7:10). The phrase, "yet not I, but the Lord," refers to something Jesus explicitly addressed while in the flesh (i.e., the permanency of marriage, Mt. 5:31-32; 19:3-9; Mk. 10:9-12; Lk. 16:18). Later, Paul will give his inspired judgment on matters that Jesus did not explicitly address during His earthly ministry (1 Cor. 7:12, 25, 40), but here is something about which Jesus had already spoken. The word "depart" (from chorizo) basically means to divide or separate, and in some cases is almost a technical term in connection with divorce.2 Unfortunately, some spouses will still insist on departing the marriage. "But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife" (1 Cor. 7:11). When this occurs, note that the departing spouse has only two options: remain unmarried or be reconciled to the other spouse (cf. Mt. 19:9)! Note also that the remaining spouse is not to "put away" the spouse who left! "Put away [leave, ASV; divorce, NKJ]" (from aphiemi) means to let go, send away. It is sometimes even translated "forgive" (Mt. 6:12-15; Acts 8:22). However, in a legal sense, the word can mean "divorce."3 This verse does not address the possibility of fornication, but if the departing spouse is (or becomes) guilty of fornication during the reconciliation process, then obviously Matthew 19:9 would apply.

Christians Who Are Married to Non-Christians

Up to this point Paul has simply been discussing remaining single or being married, which principles apply to all people, whether Christian or not (Gen. 2:18-25). Now, he specifically addresses Christians who are married to non-Christians. "But to the rest speak I, not the Lord" (1 Cor. 7:12a) indicates that Paul is about to discuss something Jesus did not explicitly address in His earthly ministry (i.e., Christians married to non-Christians). However, Paul is not merely giving his opinion, but his inspired judgment (1 Cor. 7:40).

Paul goes on to say, "If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. 13And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. 14For 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" (1 Cor. 7:12b-14). Note three truths from these verses. First, if the "wife that believeth not...be pleased to dwell," and if the "husband that believeth not...be pleased to dwell" tells us that the unbeliever determines whether or not the marriage will stay intact! The Christian has already committed to following God's word on marriage (cf. Col. 3:1-3). Second, the mere fact that one spouse is a non-Christian does not mean the marriage has to end ("let him not put her away...let her not leave him"). Third, a Christian married to a non-Christian is a legitimate marriage! Remember, marriage is not a "church of Christ doctrine." It was ordained by God on the sixth day of creation for all humanity (Gen. 2:18-25), thousands of years before the church of Christ began in Acts 2! The "unbelieving husband" being "sanctified by the [believing] wife," and the "unbelieving wife" being "sanctified by the [believing] husband" is not referring to salvation. Rather, it means that the marriage is still "set apart" as being legitimate. If this were not the case, then the children resulting from that marriage would be illegitimate, but even the people in Corinthian recognize that such is not the case (1 Cor. 7:14b)!

If the non-Christian spouse insists on departing the marriage, the Christian is not compelled to force him or her to be married. "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" (1 Cor. 7:15). A detailed study of "not under bondage" will be given later to show the impossibility of the phrase freeing the Christian to remarry at the mere departure of an unbelieving spouse. For now, though, suffice it to say that the Christian is not (and never has been) enslaved to the whims of the non-Christian. Because the non-Christian leaves the marriage does not mean that the Christian must! Two wrongs do not make a right! There is no guarantee that the Christian will ever convert the non-Christian, "For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?" (1 Cor. 7:16).