Lesson 3 1 Corinthians 7: What Does It Teach?

Welcome to the Open Study Series of the South Livingston church of

ChristSubject for tonight:

Divorce & Remarriage

Lesson 31 Corinthians 7:

What Does It Teach?

Principles To Remember

God’s Will Summarized

One Man One Woman Become One Flesh Marriage Made For Permanence Divorce & Remarriage Is Not

God’s Desire - Rule Opposes It

All Divorce & Remarriage Is Governed by Law

• Man could not remarry wife after putting away (Deut. 24:1-4)

• Woman could not remarry husband after put away (Deut. 24:1-4)

• Man could not put away wife if he falsely accused (Deut. 22:13-19)

• Man must marry & could not put away one raped (Deut. 22:28-29)

• Priest could not marry one put away (Lev. 21:7, 13-14)

• No unlawful marriage to continue (Ezra 10:1-4)

Teaching of Jesus In The Gospels... Question: “Cause” Not Procedure “Put Away” “Except for the CAUSE…”Fornication (only lawful cause) Adultery (sexual sin continues)Whosoever (binding law for all) Reaction of Disciples

Constraint of Law Clarified From Romans 7

• Marriage is to be permanent (until death), not severed at man’s desire

• Why? Law gives no discharge at man’s desire & rebellious action

• Called () an adulteress is a calling of God (cf. Acts 11:26)

• God set conditions & exception• Constraint of law abides until death

This Week’s Topic:1 Corinthians 7:What Does It Teach?

Did Paul Give Different Instruction Than Jesus?Is Any Divorce & Remarriage Authorized In This Chapter?

Overview of Context

Setting the Context in Corinth

• Corinthians wrote questions to Paul• We have answers to the questions• Concern exists from marriages with

mate who is not a Christian• Concern over “present distress”• In distress caused by faith, problem of

mixed marriages multiplied• Ungodly society of Corinth is setting

Noting the Sections of the Chapter

1. Marriage or Celibacy (1-9)

2. Addressing the Married (10-23)

3. Present Distress Considered (25-40)

Point of Each Section:Stay As You Are!

Marriage or Celibacy(vs. 1-9)

1 Corinthians 7:1-91Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2But, because of fornications, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. 3Let the husband render unto the wife her due: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. 4The wife hath not power over her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power over his own body, but the wife. 5Defraud ye not one the other, except it be by consent for a season, that ye may give yourselves unto prayer, and may be together again, that Satan tempt you not because of your incontinency. 6But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment. 7Yet I would that all men were even as I myself. Howbeit each man hath his own gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that. 8But I say to the unmarried and to widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. 9But if they have not continency, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

Both Marriage & Celibacy Are Good

• Good for man not to touch woman• Marriage good to avoid fornication

– sexual relations expected in marriage– no right to without such in marriage– mutual consent involved in separation

• “Would that all men were even as I”• “Better to marry than to burn”

– not say adultery better than fornication

Illustrating the PrincipleMk. 6:17-18

Mark 6:17-18

17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. 18 For John said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.

1 Cor. 7:2 & 9 Contrasted With Mark 6:17-18

• “Let each man have his own wife”• Herod could have his own wife, but no

right to Philip’s wife• “It is better to marry than to burn”• Not better for Herod & Herodias to

marry each other than to burn• Must keep statements in context of

lawful marriage, not unlawful one

Stating the Rule(vs. 10-11)

1 Corinthian 7:10-11

10But unto the married I give charge, yea not I, but the Lord, That the wife depart not from her husband 11(but should she depart, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband); and that the husband leave not his wife.

Married: Do Not Depart

• Charge came from the Lord– Mark 10; Luke 16:18; Matt. 5 & 19

• “Rule” stressed without exception• Instructs both “depart not”

– If depart, only two options given:– remain unmarried or be reconciled

• “Unmarried,” but has “husband”– Man’s law sundered, but not God’s law

This Passage Sets Rule In Context

• Based upon constraint of law present in God ordained marriage

• This rule is focus for the chapter• Forbids divorce without cause

– no license for divorce without cause as long as no remarriage takes place

• If divorce or separation occur:– either remain unmarried or...– be reconciled to spouse of God’s law

“But to the Rest Say I…”(vs. 12-16)

1 Corinthians 7:12-16

12But to the rest say I, not the Lord: If any brother hath an unbelieving wife, and she is content to dwell with him, let him not leave her. 13And the woman that hath an unbelieving husband, and he is content to dwell with her, let her not leave her husband. 14For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the brother: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. 15Yet if the unbelieving departeth, let him depart: the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us in peace. 16For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? Or how knowest thou, O husband, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

But To The Rest...

• Who are “the rest” addressed?– Some say it is rest of questions– Others say rest of the married– Later view fits best with context

• Defined: Christian with unbeliever• Such a marriage sanctified & binding• Point of text is Christ’s instruction of

verses 10 & 11 apply here as well

“Not Under Bondage”

• Unbeliever content to dwell in 12-13• Verse 15, unbeliever not content to

dwell with believer, but departs– marriage is bound by law (v.14)– believer questions what to do if bound– follow husband in hope to reconcile?– submit to husband’s evil demands?– if so, what about service to Christ?

Not Under What Kind of Bondage?

• Bondage () is a slave bond not marriage bond ()

• Reason given for not under bondage– “for God hath called us in peace”– both verbs are in perfect tense– action from past with effect continuing– conversion began action that continues

• Verse 16: Question if under bondage

Simple Point Being Made

• Conscientious believer recognizes sanctity of marriage bound by law

• Asks if such obligates believer to follows unbeliever no matter result

• Paul appeals to fact that unlawful putting away may happen– responsibility for such not on one left

• Right of remarriage not considered

Illustration of Principle(vs. 17-24)

1 Corinthians 7:17-2417Only, as the Lord hath distributed to each man, as God hath called each, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all the churches. 18Was any man called being circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Hath any been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised. 19Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but the keeping of the commandments of God. 20Let each man abide in that calling wherein he was called. 21Wast thou called being a bondservant? Care not for it: nay, even if thou canst become free, use it rather. 22For he that was called in the Lord being a bondservant, is the Lord’s freedman: likewise he that was called being free, is Christ’s bondservant. 23Ye were bought with a price; become not bondservants of men. 24Brethren, let each man, wherein he was called, therein abide with God.

Parallel with Verse 23

• “Ye were bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.”– When bought? At point of salvation– Since then, their primary master is Christ– Did this mean slaves could leave master and

enter another economic relationship?• “But if the unbelieving depart, let him

depart. A brother or sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God has called us to peace.”


25 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.





Who Is Under Consideration? (vs. 25-28)

• Section begins: “Now concerning virgins”

• Because of “present distress” it is “good for man to be as he is”

• “Bound” () is marriage bond– under constraint of law bound by God

• “Loosed” () is opposite– not divorced, but never married– not under constraint of law

Translations of 1 Cor. 7:2713/16 No Divorce Implied•“Loosed” KJV, ASV, Anderson

•“Free” RSV, Amplified, Moffit, NAB•“Unmarried” NIV, TEV, Bruce•“Unattached” Phillips•“Not united to a wife” Goodspeed•“Aren’t married” Living N.T.•“Freed” Confra. Version•“Released” NAS•“Marriage Dissolved” NEB

Loose: Same Latitude in Greek & English

• Bion (200 BC): “unbinding her hair”• Hermas (AD 140): “with unbound

hair”• Is your hair tied up? Don’t unbind.• Is your hair unbound? Don’t tie it.

– no necessity of it previously bound• Photius (AD 800):

– “not… those who have been joined together & dissolved,” but “those who have not cohabited”

Even If Former Marriage Implied...

• Context does not state reason for divorce

• What must we do in absence of such information?

• Make subjective assumptions?• Consider all said in other passages

– “Again it is written…” (Matt. 4:6-7)– “Sum of thy word is truth”

• Must have positive divine authority

“Present Distress” Instructions

References to Troubled Times Ahead

• “Present distress” v.26• “Tribulation in the flesh” v.28• “The time is shortened…” v.29• “Fashion of this world passeth away”

v.31• Paul does not detail nature of trials• Corinthians had obviously asked Paul

about marriage in time of trial

Instructions Governed by Time of Trial

• Better for man to remain unmarried rather than take a wife

• Better if virgin not to seek marriage• Better if father not seek marriage for

his daughter• Allows attending on Lord’s service

without distraction– elders’ qualifications shows the norm

• Widow free to marry only in Lord

Last Class In Open Study Series Is Next

WeekPlease Join Us Again!

False Doctrines on Divorce & Remarriage Examined & Answered

Matthew 5:31-3231 It was said also, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32 but I say unto you, that every one that putteth away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, maketh her an adulteress: and whosoever shall marry her when she is put away committeth adultery.

Matthew 19:3-83 And there came unto him Pharisees, trying him, and saying, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? 4 And he answered and said, Have ye not read, that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh? 6 So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 7 They say unto him, Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorcement, and to put her away? 8 He saith unto them, Moses for your hardness of heart suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it hath not been so.

Matthew 19:9-129 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth her when she is put away committeth adultery. 10 The disciples say unto him, If the case of the man is so with his wife, it is not expedient to marry. 11 But he said unto them, Not all men can receive this saying, but they to whom it is given. 12 For there are eunuchs, that were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are eunuchs, that were made eunuchs by men: and there are eunuchs, that made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

Mark 10:2-122 And there came unto him Pharisees, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? trying him. 3 And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you? 4 And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away. 5 But Jesus said unto them, For your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. 6 But from the beginning of the creation, Male and female made he them. 7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; 8 and the two shall become one flesh: so that they are no more two, but one flesh. 9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 10 And in the house the disciples asked him again of this matter. 11 And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her: 12 and if she herself shall put away her husband, and marry another, she committeth adultery.

Luke 16:18

18 Every one that putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth one that is put away from a husband committeth adultery.

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Lesson 3 1 Corinthians 7: What Does It Teach?