1 of 1

Corinth was a young church, full of new Christians. And, as in many marriages today, both partners in a marriage didn't always become Christians at the same time—or even at all. New found faith put a strain on marriages. The unbelieving partner saw an intense change in the person he or she had married. The believer, on the other hand, felt more compatible with fellow believers in church. So they asked the question, "Should we divorce?"

In a mixed marriage between believer and unbeliever, Paul puts the responsibility for generosity on the Christian. If your partner wants to stay married, stay married. Paul even describes a spiritual value to that decision: "For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by her husband" (7:14). But Paul doesn't advocate permanent marriage ties if the unbeliever deserted. In that case, says Paul, "A brother or sister is not under bondage" (7:15).

Paul's next pronouncement brings comfort to a woman distraught by the prospect of divorce and abandoned by the person who once filled her life with love: "God has called us to peace" (7:15).

What if the couple are both Christians? Paul teaches that they should stay together, that the husband should not leave the wife, and that a wife who leaves her husband should either stay single or go back to him (7:10, 11). These strong words echo the traditional marriage blessing: "What God has joined together, let no man break asunder." (See also Malachi 2:13-16; Matthew 19:1-9; Ephesians 4:1-6.)

God has called us to peace. 1 Corinthians 7:15

What can you do to strengthen your marriage, rather than divide or destroy it?

Copyright 2003 by the author or Christianity Today International/Christian Bible Studies.

 1 of 1