1 Corinthians 7:10-24

Applebury's Comments

Directions for the Married (10-24)

Commentary

Unto the married, I give charge.Paul, speaking as an apostle of Christ, gives direction to those who are already married. It is in complete agreementhow could it be assumed to be otherwise since he is writing under the direction of the Holy Spiritwith what the Lord had said. This is a good answer to those who assume that the red letter sections of the New Testament are superior to the words of the apostles. Actually, their words are the words of Christ as He spoke them by His Spirit through the apostles (John 16:14).

but the Lord.The apostle gives us the inspired interpretation of what Jesus said on this matter as recorded in Matthew 19:3-9. Jesus spoke to men who were under the jurisdiction of the law of Moses. He reminded them that the marriage law that had been in force since the beginning was still in force. Moses had made certain exceptions because of the hardness of their hearts, but this did not annul the original law of marriage. Jesus reminded them that the one who put away his wife except for fornication and married another committed adultery, that is, the wife so put away was stigmatized by his act as an adulteress. See Romans 7:3. The one who married a wife put away in this manner also committed adultery.

This inevitably raises the question of the right of the innocent party to remarry. To refuse the innocent one the right to marry again, it is said, is unfair. Perhaps this is true, but who is to decide the question of innocence? What did the inspired apostle say as he interpreted the word of Our Lord on this subject? The answer is given in just two places in the New Testament. Paul discusses it in the Roman letter. There he says that a woman is bound to the husband while he lives (Romans 7:2). To make the matter clear beyond the possibility of misunderstanding, he adds, if the husband die, she is discharged from the law of the husband. The only other reference to the duration of the binding effect of marriage is in First Corinthians chapter seven. The same law is upheld, A wife is bound so long time as her husband liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is free to be married (1 Corinthians 7:39).

Many commentators assume that the innocent one is given the right to marry again. Every one acting on such opinion should for his own sake weigh carefully what Paul has said on the matter. Consider this also: The nineteenth chapter of Matthew which gives Jesus-' teaching on marriage and divorce also tells what He said to the rich young ruler about eternal life. Because they were living under the law of Moss, Jesus told him to keep that law. When the people on the Day of Pentecostthe beginning of the Christian ageasked what to do to be saved, they were told by the inspired apostles to repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins (Acts 3:28). Now if we do not go to Matthew nineteen for the answer to the important question about what to do to be saved, why should we do so to the neglect of the apostle's inspired interpretation of what Jesus said on the matter of marriage and divorce? This seems to be a valid argument, and it should be considered by those who would interpret Matthew nineteen as permitting remarriage under the gospel covenant.

That the wife depart not from her husband.No exception allowed by this categorical statement! The same rule applies to husband: that the husband leave not his wife. I understand this to say clearly that remarriage is not permitted under the regulations of the New Covenant. The law that was ordained in the beginning and upheld by Jesus is in force in the Christian age.

This presents a real problem on which the apostle did not write. What is one to do who may have divorced and remarried without knowing what the New Testament teaches on the subject? What I say here can only be expressed as an opinion based on what the Bible says in general about forgiveness of sin. Suppose that divorce and remarriage is a violation of the law of God. It then become a sin to do so. And if this is true, there is only one thing to do about it: repent and pray God if perchance the thought of the heart may be forgiven (Acts 8:22). This would, of course, require baptism in the case of those who have not been baptized (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16). John says, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Since there is a question about the matter, the conscientious Christian couple who may be involved, it would seem, should determine not to repeat the mistake and ask God to forgive if they have violated His law.

Should such couples separate? This is another problem on which we do not have Scriptural teaching. In so many cases, it would be impossible to do so. The sinif it is a sinis in the divorcing and remarrying. Perhaps it would be better not to try to return to the former partners, since in so many cases it could not be done anyway.
The alarming problem of divorce with its effects on the children of the nation should cause Christian people to avoid the appearance of approving it. The church should hold before its young people, by teaching and by the example of elders and deacons, the ideal marriage relations as ordained by God in the beginning.

if she should depart.This directive is clear enough. She is to remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. This is in accord with the above interpretation of remarriage. It is not permitted by the inspired teaching of the New Testament. The wife who leaves her husband is not free to marry another man while her husband lives, only if he is dead. The same rule applies to the husband; he is not to leave his wife.

But to the rest say I, not the Lord.Some have assumed that Paul is giving his private opinion which is not substantiated by the Lord. On the contrary, he is speaking as the Lord's inspired apostle. The Lord through His inspired apostle is giving additional information to guide those who find themselves in a situation which did not exist during His personal ministry. The church was not established until the day of Pentecost. Now a situation arises that calls for inspired instruction. What is the Christian to do who finds himself married to an unbeliever? If the unbelieving partnerhusband or wifeis willing to maintain the home, the Christian is not to leave husband or wife. This answers the contention of some who say that marriage is not valid before the Lord unless both parties are Christians. The facts are that the law of marriage was given in the beginning and was upheld by the Lord in His teaching to the Jews and is, undoubtedly, to be looked upon as valid for allChristian and non-Christian.

For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife.The rule applies to either party, husband or wife. Marriage is holy, and the unbelieving partner in this holy relationship is sanctified in the believer, that is, the marriage relationship is sacred because of the one partner that belongs to the Lord. If this were not so, the children of such marriages would be unclean, but now they are holy. That is to say, the marriage is in accord with the holy regulations of the Lord; the children of such marriages are not to be considered as being born out of wedlock.

A word of caution must be given here: This matter of sanctification has to do with the sanctity or the marriage relationship. It does not say that an unbeliever who is married to a Christian is saved from his sins just because he is married to a believer. Salvation and sanctification in respect to sin are, after all, personal issues. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, said Jesus (Mark 16:15-16). When we remember that Paul was speaking about the sacredness of the marriage relationship and not personal salvation, there is no problem.

Yet if the unbelieving departeth.This action is on the part of the one who has not submitted to the law of Christ. The Christian is not to initiate the action andalthough it is not so stated in this contextis surely not to be the cause of the unbeliever departing. Who but the Lord can really know whether or not the believer may be guilty of such conduct or attitude as to actually cause the unbeliever to depart? The Christian is under obligation to conduct himself in accord with the obligations involved in the marriage contract even if he is married to an unbeliever (1 Corinthians 7:3-5). This may often present a very difficult problem to the Christian; but, if he really wants to honor his Lord, he can find grace to cope with the situation.

not under bondage in such.Some assume that this frees the believer to remarry. However, the rule is plainly stated without exceptions in 1 Corinthians 7:39: A wife is bound for so long time as her husband liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is free to be married. In verse eleven, Paul had said that the one who departs is to remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. Some, of course, will argue that these rules do not apply to the case in hand. But when the whole body of instruction for marriage is considered, it is difficult to find a valid reason for assuming that remarriage is permitted except when one partner is dead.

What, then, is meant by not under bondage? No one is bound to maintain an impossible situation. An unbeliever who will not submit to the law of Christ will do as he pleases. Even the most loving Christian wife or husband may not be able to maintain the home if the unbeliever decides to leave. Let him depart; that may well be all one can do.

but God hath called us in peace.This is a difficult passage. Does it mean that the believer is not under obligation to live with an unbelieving husband or wife unless there can be peace in the home? Surely it is hard to have a home without peace. Or does it mean that the believer is under obligation to maintain peace in the home if at all possible? Probably the latter, because of the reason suggested in the next sentence.

For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband.This, of course, applies also to a husband who is a believer The whole issue is just this: Are you really interested in the salvation of the unbeliever? Too often the interest is in getting rid of the other partner, using his unbelief as a pretext. Taken with the statement about peace, this would seem to say that the Christian is to maintain peace in the home with a view to winning his unbelieving partner to the Lord. Unless one can live as a real Christian under such trying conditions, there is little reason to expect the unbeliever to change.

And so I ordain in all the churches.The rule applies to all the churches, Corinth included. Each was to live in the state in which he was called, that is, in whatever state one found himself on becoming a Christian, let him be content with it and live as a Christian without disrupting such things as marriage, bondage, status as Jew or gentile. This rule is given to those who may have assumed that they were freed from the marriage vows by becoming Christians.

Circumcision.The meaning of circumcision is to be taken from its use in the case of Abraham who was found righteous because of his faith in God before he was commanded to be circumcised (Romans 4:9-12). Circumcision become a mark that indicated that God acknowledged his righteousness. To many, this became a mark of acceptance by the Lord regardless of their actual status before Him. In itself, then, circumcision counted for nothing. The real question was the attitude of the heart (Romans 2:28-29). Since this was true, the Christian was not to be concerned about such outward marks.

Wast thou called being a bondservant?One did not need to change even slavery in order to become a Christian. But see the beautiful story of Onesimus, the runaway slave who became a Christian (Philemon 1:1-11). What does Paul mean by saying, use it rather? Some suggest that he is saying that a slave is to use his slavery to the credit of the cause of Christ (Ephesians 6:5-6). On the other hand, it is more likely that he is saying if the opportunity to become free presents itself, use it. Human bondage cannot long endure where there is an atmosphere of Christian freedom. If the truth as Christ taught it were actually accepted by men everywhere, freedom would spread to all human relationships. The only true freedom is found in being Christ's bondservant.

Ye were bought with a price.This is the second time that Paul has reminded his readers of this. See 1 Corinthians 6:20. Actually they belonged to the Lord, for He bought them with His precious blood. They were not to be slaves to the sin of immorality. Even if they were in human bondage, they were the Lord's freedmen.

become not bondservants of men.The Christian is not to have his conduct regulated by human masters. Christ has given h m direction through the inspired apostle whether he is a slave or a free man. No human bondage is to supersede this divine relationship.

therein abide with God.Heaven is the Christian's home. He should learn to live with that thought in mind. On earth he has a work to do, glorifying God in the body. The thought of abiding with God in this life helps to bear the trials and hardships that come to His children.

Text

1 Corinthians 7:25-40. Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: but I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be trustworthy. 26 I think therefore that this is good by reason of the distress that is upon us, namely, that it is good for a man to be as he is. 27 Art thou bound unto a wife? Seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. 28 But shouldest thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Yet such shall have tribulation in the flesh: and I would spare you. 29 But this I say, brethren, the time is shortened, that henceforth both those that have wives may be as though they had none; 30 and those that weep, as though they wept not; and those that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and those that buy, as though they possesed not; 31 and those that use the world, as not using it to the full: for the fashion of this world passeth away. 32 But I would have you to be free from cares. He that is unmarried is careful for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord: 33 but he that is married is careful for the things of the world, how he may please his wife, 34 and is divided. So also the woman that is unmarried and the virgin is careful for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married is careful for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35 And this I say for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is seemly, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. 36 But if any man thinketh that he behaveth himself unseemly toward his virgin daughter, if she be past the flower of her age, and if need so requireth, let him do what he will; he sinneth not; let them marry. 37 But he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power as touching his own will, and hath determined this in his own heart, to keep his own virgin daughter, shall do well. 38 So then both he that giveth his own virgin daughter in marriage doeth well; and he that giveth her not in marriage shall do better. 39 A wife is bound for so long time as her husband liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is free to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. 40 But she is happier if she abide as she is, after my judgment: and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.