- 1 Corinthians 7:1-16
- I Corinthians 7:1 – ESV, NRSV, and LEB put the second half of this verse in quotes, indicating that this is the question asked of Paul. This seems to match with the rest of I Corinthians 7:2-9, which is Paul’s answer to the question.
- I Corinthians 7:3-5 – Husbands and wives are not to deprive each other sexually.
- I Corinthians 7:10-11 – This is God’s basic marriage law, which has been the same since Creation – one man and one woman for life.
- I Corinthians 7:15 – If an unbelieving spouse is determined to leave, there is nothing the remaining spouse can do but let them go. Nowhere in the Bible do we see that the remaining spouse can remarry with God’s approval. The only exception is if one spouse was guilty of adultery. In that case, the innocent spouse can remarry. (Matthew 19:9; Mark 10:11; Matthew 5:32; Luke 16:18; Romans 7:3)
- The word “bondage” here is not talking about being bound under the law. It is talking about servitude. If an unbelieving spouse leaves, the remaining spouse is not required to continue to serve the spouse who left.
JJ
August 17, 2016
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