Marriage Principles

No small amount of controversy and division has resulted from mishandling 1 Corinthians 7. We can understand and benefit from this text by respecting its immediate context (Corinthian concerns about marriage) and its broader context (subject of marriage).

The Christians in Corinth had written Paul about marriage, and chapter 7 is his reply as one who had the Spirit of God and was counted trustworthy (7:40, 25).

Marriage prevents fornication (1 Cor. 7:2-7). Marriage protects the purity of man and woman. The marriage bed is undefiled (Heb. 13:4). With marriage comes the mutual responsibility to address these God-given desires; failure to do so is sin (1 Cor. 7:3-5).

To the unmarried and widows (1 Cor. 7:8-9). This group is no longer restrained by marriage vows and marriage’s lifelong obligation (Rom. 7:2-3). They have either never entered a God-approved marriage, they have put away their spouse for the cause of fornication (and free to remarry, Matt. 19:9), or their spouse has died. Paul’s preferred all had the self-control to refrain from marriage (due to the present distress he later discussed, 7:7, 26). But he understood some could not do so (7:9). Marriage is available to this group.

To the married (1 Cor. 7:10-11). Paul charged the married, “A wife is not to depart from her husband…and that the husband leave not his wife” (ASV). His charge accords with the command of Jesus: “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matt. 19:6). The word translated “depart” (chorizo) in 1 Corinthians 7:10 is also used in Matthew 19:6 (“separate,” NKJV). Scripturally married people are under obligation to maintain their marriage. The sin of ending one’s marriage is not to be compounded by then marrying another person. One who sunders (chorizo) his or her marriage must “remain unmarried, or else be reconciled” (7:11). While Jesus gave an exception for cause that allows remarriage in Matthew 19:9, that exception is not in view here. The one who puts away his wife for a cause other than fornication puts asunder what God joined together. He violates Matthew 19:6, 9. He cannot remarry without increasing his sin.

To the rest (1 Cor. 7:12-16). Having addressed all the married, Paul now addresses a subset of married people: Christians who are married to unbelievers. While the Lord had not dealt specifically with this consideration, the inspired apostle would now. Paul says these are legitimate marriages before the Lord, therefore, if the unbeliever is content to live with the faithful Christian, do not end the marriage (7:12-13). The Christian brings a godly influence into the home that should not be underestimated (7:14). Since the Christian has never been enslaved to his or her spouse, if the unbeliever is not content to live with a Christian, “let him depart” (7:15). Christians are not to “become slaves to men” by yielding to the will of the unbeliever instead of the will of God (7:23). While a believer is not to end his or her marriage with an unbeliever, it may be that the unbeliever departs. We are bondservants of Christ and He has called us to peace (7:15-16).

“Let him depart” does not give the believer the right to remarry. That subject was already addressed in verses 10-11 to the married, which includes believers married to unbelievers. Those who use 1 Corinthians 7:15 to approve remarriage after desertion do so in violation of Matthew 19:6, 9, and 1 Corinthians 7:10-11.

A foundational principle (7:17-24). Christians walk with God and continue to do so in every non-sinful condition or relationship in which we find ourselves when called (saved) by the gospel. Whether circumcised or not, whether slave or free, whether married or single, one can “remain with God in that state in which he was called” (7:24, NKJV). This does not give permission to remain in a sinful marriage relationship (such as the adultery of an unscriptural remarriage, Matt. 19:9). We have been bought at a price (blood of Jesus) and must not become slaves of men (7:23).

The present distress (7:25-40). The present state of turmoil persuaded Paul to advise one possessing self-control to remain single (7:8, 17, 20, 24, 26-27). Given the context of distress, Paul wanted to spare the saints the added trial and distraction marriage presents (7:28, 32, 35). One with a marriage obligation should not end it. But, given the present distress, if one was not obligated to a spouse, he should not seek a wife (7:27). Since God-approved marriages are not sinful, the option to marry was available to those free to do so (despite the distress, 7:28). The marriage bond is for life. After it is ended by death the liberty of marriage in the Lord is granted, but not commanded (7:39-40).

1 Corinthian 7 assures us of the blessedness of marriage while looking practically at its divinely stated responsibilities and constraints. Properly handling this text helps prevent sin, promote godly homes, and produce an abiding allegiance to Christ. 

Scripture Reading:  Acts 16:6-10