1 Corinthians 7:11

(but should she depart, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband); and that the husband leave not his wife.

'but should she depart' -'describes an exception whether past, present or future.' (Willis p. 221) 'but if she be already parted' (Con); 'if she has done so' (TCNT)

'let her remain unmarried' -indicating that more than. temporary separation has taken place.

'unmarried' -'Were they unmarried? Well, yes and no. He says they were unmarried and yet, the woman is urged to be reconciled to "her husband" if she didn't wish to remain unmarried. What does that tell you? It says to me that they went through. divorce proceeding (and so were "unmarried") which didn't really dissolve the union. Jesus (Matthew 19:9) speaks of. man "marrying" another after he has divorced his wife. In this case, the man put away his wife for something other than fornication, and he "married" another. In the course of doing so he committed "adultery". Why was it adultery he committed?...Why does this man commit adultery in marrying another? Because he's still. married man despite having put his wife away.. (McGuiggan p. 101)

'or else be reconciled to her husband' -'The wife who may happen to divorce her husband may not use her present unmarried condition as an excuse for remarriage to someone else..In. culture in which divorce has become the norm, this text has become. bone of contention. Some find Paul and Jesus too harsh and try to find ways around the plain sense of the text...If the Christian husband and wife cannot be reconciled to one another, then how can they expect to become models of reconciliation before. fractured and broken world?' (Fee pp. 295-296)

Points to Note:

1. Remarriage is not an biblical option (despite repentance) following an unscriptural divorce.

2. Repentance can't undue all the consequences of. sin. Sin must happen when an unscriptural divorce occurs (at least one partner in the marriage has disobeyed. direct command of God, 'depart not' (1 Corinthians 7:10). But even after such an act is repented of, remarriage still isn't an option. (1 Corinthians 7:11). say this because, Paul felt that one could remain in the "unmarried" condition, and still be right with God, if not, then why is that option even given? i.e. one can be in either condition found in 1 Corinthians 7:11, and still be right with God. This implies that the woman needed to repent of violating verse 10. But such repentance didn't erase the fact that they were still husband and wife.

This verse also reveals that "sin" can narrow down our biblical options. While the single person can either remain single or marry the person of their choice. The married person who unlawfully departs from their spouse, has just found themselves with one less option. No longer can they marry the person of their choice. Now, because of their previous sin, they can only remain in. celibate condition or seek reconciliation with the former mate.

***Repentance doesn't always bring you back to square one!

3. Just because. divorce has taken place, doesn't mean that remarriage to another person is sanctioned by Scripture.

4.. couple still remains husband and wife, in the eyes of God, even after an legal, but unscriptural divorce. (1 Corinthians 7:11 'to her husband')

5. Here would of been an excellent opportunity for Paul to add any other "just" causes for divorce and remarriage among Christians, and yet Paul doesn't. Fornication still remains the only "cause". (Matthew 19:9)

6. God doesn't buy emotional arguments or appeals. Paul believed that if people really do want to serve God and if they honestly can't live the "unmarried life", then such Christians will diligently seek reconciliation with the former mate, and won't argue for their "right" to marry someone else.

7. While the congregation can help in the reconciliation process (Galatians 6:2); Paul places the primary responsibility for such on the shoulders of the Christians that profess to want it.

8. Note: Paul doesn't add anything like, 'or else be reconciled to her husband (unless she is re-baptized, which changes everything.)'

'and that the husband leave not his wife' -no double standard. God is fair. 'This was. novel idea in Paul's day; the Jew allowed the man to divorce his wife but did not allow the woman (in most cases) to divorce her husband.' (Willis p. 222)

CHRISTIANS MARRIED TO NON-CHRISTIANS: