Marriage

In the last chapter we saw how the spirit of our times has made the matter of sexual immorality particularly problematic for us, not least because of the many ways in which that sin can be committed. Another area that is also of great concern, to which we come now in 1 Corinthians 7, is that of marriage. For this subject as well, it is another case of the church picking up the mindset and values of the world. Just as we have been seeing how the world was influencing the Corinthian church, so we also know that the same thing happens today. Too often the church reflects the changing patterns of the world around her, rather than acting as that holy city on a hill.

The question, therefore, that Paul places before us is simply this: What is that to which God has called you? As I read 1 Corinthians 7, I suspect that there was a division in the church between a Jewish mentality and what we would call a “super spiritual” Greek mentality.

The second category of problems that he deals with are those involving separation. Whereas Paul talks about marriage as good, separation is something that is bad, though there are times when it may be necessary. In verses 10 and 11 we read, “To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.”

But suppose the non-Christian leaves because he or she does not want to be married to a Christian. What do you do then? That is what Paul answers in verse 15 when he says, “But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.” If the non-Christian decides to go and seeks a divorce, there is nothing the other one can do about it. Divorce becomes inevitable in that situation, and the Christian is no longer bound to that marriage.

What you have to begin with is the will of God and serving Him. You have to recognize that you are not your own, but you have been bought with a price, even the precious blood of Christ. If He calls you to a single life, you should count that all joy to serve Him in a single life. If He calls you to a married life, you should count that all joy to serve in a married life. You need to look at everything from the framework that God is able to use you to bring the fullest measure of blessing in the lives of other people.