I Corinthians 7:8-16: "Guidelines for Marriage
Paul picks up where he lefts off to continue to give divine insight into marriage. Paul begins, "But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I". Here Paul is speaking to two groups of people: the unmarried and the widows. By widows, Paul obviously means those who were once married and their spouses have passed away. The second group that Paul is referring to are not just those who are not married, they are those who were once married and for some reason are no longer married, whether it be from divorce or their spouse leaving them. Paul makes a clear distinction between the unmarried, widows, and virgins throughout this section. Because of this we can see that virgins refer to those who have never been married, and the unmarried are those who were once married but have divorced. This distinction will help us throughout the rest of this section.
Paul is referencing his single state when he tells them "it is good for them if they remain even as I". Therefore, Paul is saying that to those who are currently not married either from death or divorce, it is better that they remain in their single state. This statement may infer that Paul was once married and is now a widower himself. MacArthur writes, "By that statement Paul affirms that he was formerly married. Because marriage seems to have been required for membership in the Sanhedrin, to which Paul may once have belonged, because he so devoutly committed to Pharisaic tradition (Gal. 1:14), and because he refers to one who could have been his wife's mother (Rom. 16:13), we may assume that he was once married". Therefore, Paul most certainly is addressing the question raised by the Corinthian church if it was OK to marry after they had been previously married and divorced before coming to Christ, or widowed. Paul's answer is that it is better to remain in their single state, however, "If they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn". There is no need to rush back into marriage once you become saved after being divorced, or after your spouse has died. However, because both of these groups of people were most likely used to having physical relations with their spouse, and they cannot control themselves physically, Paul says it is better for them to get married than it is for them to burn with passion and be distracted to their devotion to the Lord. MacArthur writes, "If a Christian is single but does not have the gift of singleness and is being strongly tempted sexually, he or she should pursue marriage. Let them marry in the Greek is in the aorist imperative, indicating a strong command. 'Get married', Paul says, for it is better to marry than to burn". Regarding the term "burn" MacArthur writes, "The term means 'to be inflamed,' and is best understood as referring to strong passion". Therefore, we can see that in regards to those who are Christian singles (from either divorce before being saved, or widowed), it is best if they remain in their single state and be solely devoted to Christ. However, understanding our own human weaknesses, it would be better that we marry than be distracted in our service because of our sexual desire.
Paul now moves to address the guidelines for a Christian married couple. He writes, "But to the married I give instruction, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband". In this section, Paul is giving instruction to a married couple where each is a believer. We will see he makes a distinction in the next section for a married couple that has one as a believer and one that is not. With both partners being Christians, Paul holds them accountable to the very word of God that they are not to divorce. MacArthur points out, "Jesus had taught the truth during His earthly ministry. Quoting Genesis 2:24, Jesus said, 'For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh, and then added, 'What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate' (Matt 19:5-6)". Clearly, God had made clear in the OT (Mal. 2:16), and Jesus had spoken in the NT that as believers we are never to divorce except in the case of unrepentant unfaithfulness. To address the fact that some of the Corinthians believers may have already divorced, or were in the process of it, Paul adds a parenthesis to say, "but if she does leave, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband". Therefore, if for some reason one of the partners has already left or was in the process of leaving, their only option was to stay unmarried (ie separated) or to reconcile. They did not have the option to remarry as that would be adultery in the eyes of God.
Paul, probably going through the list of questions he received from the Corinthian church moves on to couples who are married, however one of the partners is a believer and the other is not. In the case that the unbelieving spouse wants to stay Paul writes, "But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife a who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, let him not send her away. And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, let her not send her husband away". It may have been the case that a couple got married and over time was saved by Christ, while their spouse was not. In this instance, some of the Corinthians were divorcing or leaving their spouses because they felt it was wrong to remain married to an unbeliever. To this Paul states that they should remain their spouses so long as their unbelieving spouse desires to stay. Because Jesus had never directly addressed this issue, Paul could not use a direct quote, however, he was still writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and should be treated as such. It would be a poor testimony and harder on the children if the believing spouse demanded the other to leave when they desired to stay. This would be wrong and Paul warns against such action when the spouse consents to stay together. Paul writes, "For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband". MacArthur explains, "Being unequally yoked, one flesh with an unbeliever, can be frustrating, discouraging, and even costly. But it need not be defiling because one believer can sanctify a home. In this sense sanctify does not refer to salvation; otherwise the spouse would not be spoken of as unbelieving. It refers to being set apart, the basic meaning of sanctify and holy, terms that are from the sam Greek root. The sanctification is matrimonial and familial, not personal or spiritual". I can think of no better witnessing tool than being married to an unbeliever. The believing spouse should do everything in their power to use every moment they can as a witnessing opportunity to their spouse and kids. In relation to their kids, the believing spouse must not look at the unbelieving spouse as one that will defile the kids, but rather, God will honor the faithfulness of the believing spouses influence on their children. Paul explains, "for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy". To this MacArthur writes, "They would otherwise be unclean if both parents were unbelievers. But the Lord guarantees that the presence of just one Christian parent will protect the children". This will not guarantee salvation, however, they will have the daily influence of a follower of Christ and God will use and honor that.
Lastly, in response to the case in which one of the spouses becomes a believer after marriage, and because of this the unbelieving spouse desires to leave, Paul writes, "Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave". Paul releases the believing spouse of their bond to the unbeliever who desire to leave. In fact Paul tells them not to contest it or fight it, but simply let them leave. Paul continues, "the brother or sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace". MacArthur points out, "In God's sight the bond between husband and wife is dissolved only by death (Rom. 7:2), adultery (Matt. 19:9), and an unbeliever's leaving. When the bond, or bondage, is broken in any of those ways, a Christian is free to remarry". As far as it is up to us, we are to do everything we can to remain at peace with everyone, especially those to who we are married to (Rom. 12:18). If the unbelieving spouse is unable to put up with the believing spouse because of their new lifestyle, it is better to dissolve the marriage, then fight and argue to stay together. Paul points out, "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". This is directed at the believing spouse who is trying everything in their power to keep the marriage going and convert the husband or wife. There will reach a point when it is better for you to dissolve the marriage and move on than continue to fight for the unbelievers to stay.
This section of scripture is vital for the church to understand. The sad reality is that divorce is widespread throughout the "church" today. We must understand our vows before God and what he commands of us in scripture. Here Paul has laid out the guidelines for marriage and divorce. Unfortunately, people live by their own standards and guidelines, and when things get difficult they think God will understand why they need to leave. However, Paul has made it clear to the Corinthians and to us that God hates divorce and unless their is unrepentant unfaithfulness, or an unbelieving spouse that wants to leave we are not to divorce under any circumstance. Even as difficult as you feel things may be we must remember that, "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it". Therefore, any time we choose to leave it is sin and lack of faith in God. Lastly, if you or someone you know has already separated or is in the process of separating, they must understand that to remarry is adultery!
Paul is referencing his single state when he tells them "it is good for them if they remain even as I". Therefore, Paul is saying that to those who are currently not married either from death or divorce, it is better that they remain in their single state. This statement may infer that Paul was once married and is now a widower himself. MacArthur writes, "By that statement Paul affirms that he was formerly married. Because marriage seems to have been required for membership in the Sanhedrin, to which Paul may once have belonged, because he so devoutly committed to Pharisaic tradition (Gal. 1:14), and because he refers to one who could have been his wife's mother (Rom. 16:13), we may assume that he was once married". Therefore, Paul most certainly is addressing the question raised by the Corinthian church if it was OK to marry after they had been previously married and divorced before coming to Christ, or widowed. Paul's answer is that it is better to remain in their single state, however, "If they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn". There is no need to rush back into marriage once you become saved after being divorced, or after your spouse has died. However, because both of these groups of people were most likely used to having physical relations with their spouse, and they cannot control themselves physically, Paul says it is better for them to get married than it is for them to burn with passion and be distracted to their devotion to the Lord. MacArthur writes, "If a Christian is single but does not have the gift of singleness and is being strongly tempted sexually, he or she should pursue marriage. Let them marry in the Greek is in the aorist imperative, indicating a strong command. 'Get married', Paul says, for it is better to marry than to burn". Regarding the term "burn" MacArthur writes, "The term means 'to be inflamed,' and is best understood as referring to strong passion". Therefore, we can see that in regards to those who are Christian singles (from either divorce before being saved, or widowed), it is best if they remain in their single state and be solely devoted to Christ. However, understanding our own human weaknesses, it would be better that we marry than be distracted in our service because of our sexual desire.
Paul now moves to address the guidelines for a Christian married couple. He writes, "But to the married I give instruction, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband". In this section, Paul is giving instruction to a married couple where each is a believer. We will see he makes a distinction in the next section for a married couple that has one as a believer and one that is not. With both partners being Christians, Paul holds them accountable to the very word of God that they are not to divorce. MacArthur points out, "Jesus had taught the truth during His earthly ministry. Quoting Genesis 2:24, Jesus said, 'For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh, and then added, 'What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate' (Matt 19:5-6)". Clearly, God had made clear in the OT (Mal. 2:16), and Jesus had spoken in the NT that as believers we are never to divorce except in the case of unrepentant unfaithfulness. To address the fact that some of the Corinthians believers may have already divorced, or were in the process of it, Paul adds a parenthesis to say, "but if she does leave, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband". Therefore, if for some reason one of the partners has already left or was in the process of leaving, their only option was to stay unmarried (ie separated) or to reconcile. They did not have the option to remarry as that would be adultery in the eyes of God.
Paul, probably going through the list of questions he received from the Corinthian church moves on to couples who are married, however one of the partners is a believer and the other is not. In the case that the unbelieving spouse wants to stay Paul writes, "But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife a who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, let him not send her away. And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, let her not send her husband away". It may have been the case that a couple got married and over time was saved by Christ, while their spouse was not. In this instance, some of the Corinthians were divorcing or leaving their spouses because they felt it was wrong to remain married to an unbeliever. To this Paul states that they should remain their spouses so long as their unbelieving spouse desires to stay. Because Jesus had never directly addressed this issue, Paul could not use a direct quote, however, he was still writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and should be treated as such. It would be a poor testimony and harder on the children if the believing spouse demanded the other to leave when they desired to stay. This would be wrong and Paul warns against such action when the spouse consents to stay together. Paul writes, "For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband". MacArthur explains, "Being unequally yoked, one flesh with an unbeliever, can be frustrating, discouraging, and even costly. But it need not be defiling because one believer can sanctify a home. In this sense sanctify does not refer to salvation; otherwise the spouse would not be spoken of as unbelieving. It refers to being set apart, the basic meaning of sanctify and holy, terms that are from the sam Greek root. The sanctification is matrimonial and familial, not personal or spiritual". I can think of no better witnessing tool than being married to an unbeliever. The believing spouse should do everything in their power to use every moment they can as a witnessing opportunity to their spouse and kids. In relation to their kids, the believing spouse must not look at the unbelieving spouse as one that will defile the kids, but rather, God will honor the faithfulness of the believing spouses influence on their children. Paul explains, "for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy". To this MacArthur writes, "They would otherwise be unclean if both parents were unbelievers. But the Lord guarantees that the presence of just one Christian parent will protect the children". This will not guarantee salvation, however, they will have the daily influence of a follower of Christ and God will use and honor that.
Lastly, in response to the case in which one of the spouses becomes a believer after marriage, and because of this the unbelieving spouse desires to leave, Paul writes, "Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave". Paul releases the believing spouse of their bond to the unbeliever who desire to leave. In fact Paul tells them not to contest it or fight it, but simply let them leave. Paul continues, "the brother or sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace". MacArthur points out, "In God's sight the bond between husband and wife is dissolved only by death (Rom. 7:2), adultery (Matt. 19:9), and an unbeliever's leaving. When the bond, or bondage, is broken in any of those ways, a Christian is free to remarry". As far as it is up to us, we are to do everything we can to remain at peace with everyone, especially those to who we are married to (Rom. 12:18). If the unbelieving spouse is unable to put up with the believing spouse because of their new lifestyle, it is better to dissolve the marriage, then fight and argue to stay together. Paul points out, "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". This is directed at the believing spouse who is trying everything in their power to keep the marriage going and convert the husband or wife. There will reach a point when it is better for you to dissolve the marriage and move on than continue to fight for the unbelievers to stay.
This section of scripture is vital for the church to understand. The sad reality is that divorce is widespread throughout the "church" today. We must understand our vows before God and what he commands of us in scripture. Here Paul has laid out the guidelines for marriage and divorce. Unfortunately, people live by their own standards and guidelines, and when things get difficult they think God will understand why they need to leave. However, Paul has made it clear to the Corinthians and to us that God hates divorce and unless their is unrepentant unfaithfulness, or an unbelieving spouse that wants to leave we are not to divorce under any circumstance. Even as difficult as you feel things may be we must remember that, "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it". Therefore, any time we choose to leave it is sin and lack of faith in God. Lastly, if you or someone you know has already separated or is in the process of separating, they must understand that to remarry is adultery!
posted by amesfam | 8:50 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home