1. Paul’s teaching on divorce in 1 Cor. 7: 8-16.
a. Paul teaches teaching is in full agreement with the teaching of Christ. A wife must not seek to leave the marriage relationship through divorce and neither should the husband. To do so would be breaking the commandment of the Lord and thus be in sin.
b. Even in the case of a believer being married to an unbeliever the marriage bond is sacred and should be preserved.
c. If an unbelieving spouse leaves however the believer is to allow the marriage to be dissolved. God allows for this situation. Paul said “not the Lord but I” because Christ did not address this issue specifically in the gospels, Paul addresses it here. In such cases the believing spouse is “not under bondage” to such a commitment and may remarry, but only in the Lord (to another believer).
d. In 1 Cor. 7 Paul identifies four different classes of people as it regards the marriage bond:
i. The married (v. 10): Those currently in the bond of marriage.
ii. Virgins (v. 25): Those who have never been married.
iii. Unmarried (Gr. Agamos) (v. 8): Those who were previously married but are now divorced.
iv. Widows (v. 8): Those who were previously married but whose spouses have passed away
e. Is divorce permitted per Jesus words in Matt. 19 and Luke 16:18? The answer seems to be yes based upon Paul’s teaching in v. 8. But he shows a better way than remarriage:
i. “It is good form them to remain even as I, that is a single state. If you are widowed or divorced the best course is to remain unmarried.
ii. “Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife” v. 27.
- Vv. 28-35 Paul instructs the unmarried and virgins about the blessedness of serving Christ in a single state
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