For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. Romans 7:2

Marriage Remarriage?

Apostolic Teaching And Application Married Married o Bound or ?

Questions And Consequences Married or Bound? Who can marry? [a scriptural right] Who cannot marry? [no scriptural right] What are sexual immorality and adultery? Does not under bondage mean free to marry? Is 1 Corinthians 7:10-16 another exception? Remarriage when spouse has died [Rom. 7; 1 Cor. 7] Remarriage if spouse commits fornication [Matt. 19] Remarriage if unbelieving spouse departs [1 Cor. 7]???

Questions And Consequences Married or Bound? Who can marry? [a scriptural right] Who cannot marry? [no scriptural right] What are sexual immorality and adultery? Does not under bondage mean free to marry? Is 1 Corinthians 7:10-16 another exception? To answer properly requires understanding of context General context is Gods universal marriage law All marital issues must be examined in the context of Gods universal marriage law!

Questions And Consequences Married or Bound? Who can marry? [a scriptural right] Who cannot marry? [no scriptural right] What are sexual immorality and adultery? Does not under bondage mean free to marry? Is 1 Corinthians 7:10-16 another exception? To answer properly requires understanding of context Specific context involves various issues: 1 Cor. 7:1-40 [1-7] things…you wrote

Questions And Consequences Married or Bound? Who can marry? [a scriptural right] Who cannot marry? [no scriptural right] What are sexual immorality and adultery? Does not under bondage mean free to marry? Is 1 Corinthians 7:10-16 another exception? To answer properly requires understanding of context Specific context involves various issues: 1 Cor. 7:1-40 [1-7] things…you wrote [8-9] to the unmarried

Questions And Consequences Married or Bound? Who can marry? [a scriptural right] Who cannot marry? [no scriptural right] What are sexual immorality and adultery? Does not under bondage mean free to marry? Is 1 Corinthians 7:10-16 another exception? To answer properly requires understanding of context Specific context involves various issues: 1 Cor. 7:1-40 [1-7] things…you wrote [8-9] to the unmarried [10-16] to the married

Not under bondage = Free to marry? Specific Context of 1 Cor 7:1-40 …concerning the things of which you wrote [1-7] The command is simple; restates Gods law [10-11] A wife is not to depart from her husband [10] both depart and divorce are to divorce in Greek But I say to the unmarried and to the widows [8-9] And a husband is not to divorce his wife [11] Now to the married I command… [10-16] if she does depart: [11] let her remain unmarried [avoid adultery; Mt 5, 19] or be reconciled to her husband notice: no other remarriage allowed for either person

Not under bondage = Free to marry? Specific Context of 1 Cor 7:1-40 …concerning the things of which you wrote [1-7] The command is simple; restates Gods law [10-11] Case in question: believer married to unbeliever [12-16] Command is simple: let him/her not divorce [12, 13] But I say to the unmarried and to the widows [8-9] Now to the married I command… [10-16] Something more is directed to the rest [12] same command to believer as given before [10-11] is not defilement as would have been for Jew [14] believer doesnt need to seek divorce from pagan

Not under bondage = Free to marry? Specific Context of 1 Cor 7:1-40 …concerning the things of which you wrote [1-7] The command is simple; restates Gods law [10-11] Case in question: believer married to unbeliever [12-16] Command is simple: let him/her not divorce [12, 13] But I say to the unmarried and to the widows [8-9] Now to the married I command… [10-16] Something more is directed to the rest [12] let him depart – believer cannot force him to stay no command to depart: a concession if it occurs cp. 1 Cor. 14:38; Rev. 22:11 However, what to do if the unbeliever departs? [15]

Not under bondage = Free to marry? Specific Context of 1 Cor 7:1-40 …concerning the things of which you wrote [1-7] The command is simple; restates Gods law [10-11] Case in question: believer married to unbeliever [12-16] Command is simple: let him/her not divorce [12, 13] But I say to the unmarried and to the widows [8-9] Now to the married I command… [10-16] Something more is directed to the rest [12] let him depart – believer cannot force him to stay Thus, no longer bound by law? [7:39; Rm 7:2-3] However, what to do if the unbeliever departs? [15] brother or…sister {believer} is not under bondage easy mistake in English, but different Greek words bondage [15] is douloo; bound [27, 39] is deo

Not under bondage = Free to marry? Specific Context of 1 Cor 7:1-40 …concerning the things of which you wrote [1-7] The command is simple; restates Gods law [10-11] Case in question: believer married to unbeliever [12-16] Command is simple: let him/her not divorce [12, 13] But I say to the unmarried and to the widows [8-9] Now to the married I command… [10-16] Something more is directed to the rest [12] let him depart – believer cannot force him to stay Thus, no longer bound by law? [7:39; Rm 7:2-3] However, what to do if the unbeliever departs? [15] brother or…sister {believer} is not under bondage bondage [douloo] NEVER refers to marriage bond bound [deo] is ALWAYS used [7:27, 39; Rm 7:2] Both the grammar and the definitions of the Greek words prohibit the meaning here from being no longer bound by the law

Not under bondage = Free to marry? Specific Context of 1 Cor 7:1-40 …concerning the things of which you wrote [1-7] The command is simple; restates Gods law [10-11] Case in question: believer married to unbeliever [12-16] Command is simple: let him/her not divorce [12, 13] But I say to the unmarried and to the widows [8-9] Now to the married I command… [10-16] Something more is directed to the rest [12] let him depart – believer cannot force him to stay Theres a variety of possibilities as to the meaning: However, what to do if the unbeliever departs? [15] brother or…sister {believer} is not under bondage possibly: not bound to stay with mate [cp ] or: not slaves in sin if he leaves [cp. Rm. 6:12-16]

Not under bondage = Free to marry? Specific Context of 1 Cor 7:1-40 …concerning the things of which you wrote [1-7] The command is simple; restates Gods law [10-11] Case in question: believer married to unbeliever [12-16] Command is simple: let him/her not divorce [12, 13] But I say to the unmarried and to the widows [8-9] Now to the married I command… [10-16] Something more is directed to the rest [12] let him depart – believer cannot force him to stay Theres a variety of possibilities as to the meaning: However, what to do if the unbeliever departs? [15] brother or…sister {believer} is not under bondage From context of morality questions: no bondage to prior injuction to render…affection due [3-4] Note: not under bondage is in contrast with called…to peace. A believer is not enslaved to fulfilling his due at the cost of forcing himself on the unwilling mate.

Not under bondage = Free to marry? Specific Context of 1 Cor 7:1-40 …concerning the things of which you wrote [1-7] The command is simple; restates Gods law [10-11] Case in question: believer married to unbeliever [12-16] Command is simple: let him/her not divorce [12, 13] But I say to the unmarried and to the widows [8-9] Now to the married I command… [10-16] Something more is directed to the rest [12] let him depart – believer cannot force him to stay law of v. 11 still applies: unmarried or reconciled However, what to do if the unbeliever departs? [15] brother or…sister {believer} is not under bondage there is NO ALLOWANCE for any new marriages anything else is presumption; leads to adultery!

Not under bondage = Free to marry? Specific Context of 1 Cor 7:1-40 …concerning the things of which you wrote [1-7] The command is simple; restates Gods law [10-11] Case in question: believer married to unbeliever [12-16] Command is simple: let him/her not divorce [12, 13] But I say to the unmarried and to the widows [8-9] Now to the married I command… [10-16] Something more is directed to the rest [12] let him depart – believer cannot force him to stay However, what to do if the unbeliever departs? [15] brother or…sister {believer} is not under bondage there is NO ALLOWANCE for any new marriages But no guarantees; not commanded to follow [16] Paul acknowledges noble motive for following mate

Questions And Consequences Married or Bound? Who can marry? [a scriptural right] Who cannot marry? [no scriptural right] What are sexual immorality and adultery? Does not under bondage mean free to marry? Is 1 Corinthians 7:10-16 another exception? To answer properly requires understanding of context Specific context involves various issues: 1 Cor. 7:1-40 [1-7] things…you wrote [8-9] to the unmarried [10-16] to the married [17-40] as God…called

Not under bondage = Free to marry? Specific Context of 1 Cor 7:1-40 …concerning the things of which you wrote [1-7] General rule (all…churches) answers their questions Has been getting to this point since beginning chapter 7 Do not deprive one another [5; no need to abstain] But I say to the unmarried and to the widows [8-9] Now to the married I command… [10-16] remain even as I am [8; some need not to marry] as the Lord has called each one, so…walk [17-40] The rule is: continue as you are (if not in sin, obviously!) not to depart [10-13]; exception: let…depart [15] circumcised or not; slave or free [17-24] – remain virgin; bound or loosed; widow; [25-40] – remain Note: slave and slaves [21-23] are Greek word doulos: same word used to translate bondage in v. 15; Not the marriage bond, but slavery

Questions And Consequences Married or Bound? Who can marry? [a scriptural right] Who cannot marry? [no scriptural right] What are sexual immorality and adultery? Does not under bondage mean free to marry? Is 1 Corinthians 7:10-16 another exception? To answer properly requires understanding of context Specific context involves various issues: 1 Cor. 7:1-40 [1-7] things…you wrote [8-9] to the unmarried [10-16] to the married [17-40] as God…called [25-40] virgins and the present distress

Not under bondage = Free to marry? Specific Context of 1 Cor 7:1-40 …concerning the things of which you wrote [1-7] I have no commandment from the Lord [25] Speaking as apostle, but this is a personal opinion based on the Lords trust in him, Spirit of God [25] But I say to the unmarried and to the widows [8-9] Now to the married I command… [10-16] specifically, because of the present distress [26] as the Lord has called each one, so…walk [17-40] Now concerning virgins… [25-40] based in his having the Spirit of God [40] distress not specified; trouble in the flesh [28]

Not under bondage = Free to marry? Specific Context of 1 Cor 7:1-40 …concerning the things of which you wrote [1-7] I have no commandment from the Lord [25] Speaking as apostle, but this is a personal opinion But I say to the unmarried and to the widows [8-9] Now to the married I command… [10-16] as the Lord has called each one, so…walk [17-40] Now concerning virgins… [25-40] Are you bound to a wife? [27; Gk Deo; marital bond] do not seek to be loosed [10-13; do not depart] I suppose…it is good for a man to remain as he is [26]

Not under bondage = Free to marry? Specific Context of 1 Cor 7:1-40 …concerning the things of which you wrote [1-7] I have no commandment from the Lord [25] Speaking as apostle, but this is a personal opinion But I say to the unmarried and to the widows [8-9] Now to the married I command… [10-16] as the Lord has called each one, so…walk [17-40] Now concerning virgins… [25-40] Are you bound to a wife? [27; Gk Deo; marital bond] do not seek a wife [cp. 8, 17, 20, 24, 26] I suppose…it is good for a man to remain as he is [26] Are you loosed from a wife? [27; no marital bond]

Not under bondage = Free to marry? Specific Context of 1 Cor 7:1-40 …concerning the things of which you wrote [1-7] I have no commandment from the Lord [25] Speaking as apostle, but this is a personal opinion But I say to the unmarried and to the widows [8-9] Now to the married I command… [10-16] as the Lord has called each one, so…walk [17-40] Now concerning virgins… [25-40] Are you bound to a wife? [27; Gk Deo; marital bond] continues thought of v. 26; not tied to v. 15 via v. 27!! I suppose…it is good for a man to remain as he is [26] Are you loosed from a wife? [27; no marital bond] …even if you do marry, you have not sinned [28] Note: the only people in v. 28 who fit even if you do marry, you have not sinned are those who have no marital bond [Deo] already! Any others would be adulterers!! Virgins and widows are loosed, as is specified by the context [25, 28, 34, 36-39]

Not under bondage = Free to marry? Specific Context of 1 Cor 7:1-40 …concerning the things of which you wrote [1-7] I have no commandment from the Lord [25] Speaking as apostle, but this is a personal opinion But I say to the unmarried and to the widows [8-9] Now to the married I command… [10-16] as the Lord has called each one, so…walk [17-40] Now concerning virgins… [25-40] Are you bound to a wife? [27; Gk Deo; marital bond] such will have trouble in the flesh I…spare you I suppose…it is good for a man to remain as he is [26] Are you loosed from a wife? [27; no marital bond] …even if you do marry, you have not sinned [28] In time of severe persecution, it would be difficult to endure the distraction [35] of caring about the things of the world [33 -- serving a family] while serving God and caring for the things of the Lord [32] This sheds some light on the allowance for the unbeliever to depart; a distraction to care for believing family – imagine what it would take to care for an unbeliever who has no hope to endure persecution!

Not under bondage = Free to marry? Specific Context of 1 Cor 7:1-40 …concerning the things of which you wrote [1-7] I have no commandment from the Lord [25] Speaking as apostle, but this is a personal opinion But I say to the unmarried and to the widows [8-9] Now to the married I command… [10-16] as the Lord has called each one, so…walk [17-40] Now concerning virgins… [25-40] Are you bound to a wife? [27; Gk Deo; marital bond] I suppose…it is good for a man to remain as he is [26] Are you loosed from a wife? [27; no marital bond] …even if you do marry, you have not sinned [28] …husband dies, she is at liberty…only in the Lord [39]

Not under bondage = Free to marry? Specific Context of 1 Cor 7:1-40 Three distinct possibilities: Widows who marry must marry Christian husbands What does only in the Lord mean? Widows who marry should marry Christian husbands, in light of the present distress Widows who marry must marry according to the will of the Lord, but may marry a Christian or non-Christian

Not under bondage = Free to marry? Specific Context of 1 Cor 7:1-40 Three distinct possibilities: Widows who marry must marry Christian husbands. What does only in the Lord mean? The most common interpretation, however… in the Lord does not always mean a Christian Eph. 6:1 – are children to obey only Christian parents? Is that well pleasing to the Lord? [cp. Col 3:20] Col. 3:18 – are wives to obey only Christian husbands? Is that what is fitting in the Lord?

Not under bondage = Free to marry? Specific Context of 1 Cor 7:1-40 Three distinct possibilities: Widows who marry must marry Christian husbands. What does only in the Lord mean? The most common interpretation, however… in the Lord does not always mean a Christian Otherwise, the injunctions in 7:12-13 make no sense! though not the wisest choice, marrying a non-Christian is not a sin see also 1 Peter 3:1-2 could marry a non-Christian without violating scripture

Not under bondage = Free to marry? Specific Context of 1 Cor 7:1-40 Three distinct possibilities: Widows who marry must marry Christian husbands What does only in the Lord mean? Widows who marry should marry Christian husbands, in light of the present distress Compelling interpretation from context, however… admits that marrying a non-Christian is not sinful, that only in the Lord is not a command of God sees it as part of Pauls opinion: better in this distress Problem: only in the Lord is a command in the Grk; and is tied to command teaching bound by law

Not under bondage = Free to marry? Specific Context of 1 Cor 7:1-40 Three distinct possibilities: Widows who marry must marry Christian husbands What does only in the Lord mean? Widows who marry should marry Christian husbands, in light of the present distress Widows who marry must marry according to the will of the Lord, but may marry a Christian or non-Christian The only interpretation that deals with all the context in the Lord is adverbial, describing mode of action the action is in the Lord, not the one acted upon cp. 1 Pet 3:16 and Eph 6:1, Col 3:18, 20, 23

Not under bondage = Free to marry? Specific Context of 1 Cor 7:1-40 Three distinct possibilities: Widows who marry must marry Christian husbands What does only in the Lord mean? Widows who marry should marry Christian husbands, in light of the present distress Widows who marry must marry according to the will of the Lord, but may marry a Christian or non-Christian The only interpretation that deals with all the context in the Lord is adverbial, describing mode of action other doctrine indicates no sin if marry non-Christian to whom she wishes indicates any one of any kind

Not under bondage = Free to marry? Specific Context of 1 Cor 7:1-40 Three distinct possibilities: Widows who marry must marry Christian husbands What does only in the Lord mean? Widows who marry should marry Christian husbands, in light of the present distress Widows who marry must marry according to the will of the Lord, but may marry a Christian or non-Christian The only interpretation that deals with all the context in the Lord is adverbial, describing mode of action to whom she wishes indicates any one of any kind fits wholly with context of questionable situations

Questions And Consequences Married or Bound? Who can marry? [a scriptural right] Who cannot marry? [no scriptural right] What are sexual immorality and adultery? Does not under bondage mean free to marry? Is 1 Corinthians 7:10-16 another exception? To answer properly requires understanding of context Neither general nor specific context allows for this as another exception for remarriage!

Next time: More Questions and Consequences