1 Corinthians 7:27

Art thou bound unto. wife? Seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from. wife? Seek not. wife.

'bound unto. wife?' -'didst thou marry at one time, and art thou thus married now?' (Lenski p. 313) 'Are you married?' (NIV) (1 Corinthians 7:39; Romans 7:2)

'Seek not to be loosed' -'do not be seeking' (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 832) 'Present active imperative.."Do not be seeking release."' (Robertson p. 132)

This implies that some were "seeking" to be released, i.e. that some in Corinth were pro-divorce for "spiritual" reasons.

Point to Note:

1. The "present distress" didn't change God's mind concerning divorce. Now, if persecution doesn't justify divorce in God's sight, then "irreconcilable differences" are. poor excuse.

2. The only exception to this part of verse 27 is Matthew 19:9. Even in 1 Corinthians 7:15. the believer isn't to seek the divorce, rather they are to allow it to happen if the unbelieving mate insists upon it.

'Art thou loosed from. wife?' -'Are you unmarried? Stop looking for. wife' (Wms) 'The term "loosed" is general: any form of "release" that would "loose" or dissolve the existing marriage.' (Lenski p. 314)