1 Corinthians 7:1-16

7 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.

5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.   6 Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. 7 I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.

8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. 9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.   10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.

12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. 13 If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.

15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so 15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. 16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

Marriage and the “S” word Error #1 Sexual immorality. Error #2 to deny marriage & married sexual intimacy is a gift from God An Ascetic gives up pleasures of life, hoping it will make him more spiritual 17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. God calls some to singleness Their singleness is a gift from God Called to chastity (refrain from sex) God calls some to marriage Their marriage is a gift from God Physical intimacy should be cultivated within a marriage Don’t deprive one another (temptation to look elsewhere increases) An expression of love as we put the other first.

1. To the unmarried & widowed (all unmarried people) 2. To married Christian couples (Both are Christians) 3. To Christians who are married to an unbeliever

The Bible is NOT a legal document Purpose of a legal document: To clearly and unambiguously communicate terms and conditions To define boundaries that can never be crossed Clearly defines all meanings of words (and especially changed meanings) No room for unspecified grace or mercy No exaggeration or hyperbole (an extreme statement to make a point) The purpose of Chapter 7 35 I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord. For our good Not to restrain us (to tie us up in legalities) To promote good order (so we can do what is proper) To secure our undivided devotion to the Lord

1. To the unmarried & widowed (all unmarried people) 8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. 9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. If you are unmarried, it is good to remain unmarried But if you crave what should only be expressed in marriage, you probably don’t have the gift of singleness. Able to marry. 2. To married Christian couples (Both are Christians) 3. To Christians who are married to an unbeliever

1. To the unmarried & widowed (all unmarried people) Good to remain unmarried, but if you crave what should only be expressed in marriage, you probably don’t have the gift of singleness. Able to marry. 2. To married Christian couples (Both are Christians) 10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. God’s plan for marriage is a life-long union between a man and a woman God’s word is clear – Marriage should NOT be undone When trouble – Reconcile (Repentance; Forgiveness; healing; restoration) 3. To Christians who are married to an unbeliever

But there are exceptions: (sexual immorality; abandonment) But what if there is no repentance / cannot be reconciled??? Biblical evidence that it is possible to dissolve a marriage, but it shouldn’t be If it was impossible to ever dissolve a marriage, remarriage could never be right. And yet The Scriptures allow for remarriage (e.g. Deut 24) The normal and accepted purpose of divorce is to allow remarriage (In language, legally, biblically and culturally [in all cultures]) Jewish certificate of divorce states “Behold, you are free to marry any man” Should not separate... 1Cor 7:11But if she does, she should remain unmarried (marital status of a divorced person = unmarried) Woman at the well (John 4) “you have had 5 husbands, but no husband now” Overwhelming evidence : is possible to dissolve a marriage, but we shouldn’t But there are exceptions: (sexual immorality; abandonment)

But there are exceptions: (sexual immorality; abandonment) Overwhelming evidence : is possible to dissolve a marriage, but we shouldn’t But there are exceptions: (sexual immorality; abandonment) Matt 5 No divorce (remarriage = adultery) Except in cases of sexual immorality Matt 19 Mark 10 Luke 16 1 Cor 7 No divorce (remain unmarried) Except in cases of abandonment God’s plan for marriage is a life-long union between a man and a woman God’s word is clear – Marriage should NOT be undone When trouble – Reconcile (Repentance; Forgiveness; healing; restoration) This is the Principal: We should view our own marriages as “unbreakable” Marital reconciliation models the relationship between Christ and Church The exceptions: God’s grace to allow divorce & remarriage – a mercy for brokenness

1. To the unmarried & widowed (all unmarried people) Good to remain unmarried, but if you crave what should only be expressed in marriage, you probably don’t have the gift of singleness. Able to marry. 2. To married Christian couples (Both are Christians) God’s plan for marriage is a life-long union between a man and a woman It is possible to dissolve a marriage, but it should NOT be When trouble – Reconcile (Repentance; Forgiveness; healing; restoration) This is the Principal: We should view our own marriages as “unbreakable” Marital reconciliation models the relationship between Christ and Church The exceptions: (in cases of sexual immorality and desertion) (unrepentant abuse) God’s grace to allow divorce & remarriage – a mercy for brokenness 3. To Christians who are married to an unbeliever If your spouse is willing to live with you, do not divorce You and your children are not defiled by them If they are not willing to live with you, you are not “enslaved” Most natural meaning “free to remarry”

Divorce & Remarriage remains a debatable issue in the church “Marriage is not to be broken” is the principal, God’s grace allows divorce & therefore remarriage in some cases: Most evangelical bible scholars The Reformers Most reformed churches Most evangelical (bible believing) churches “Marriage can never be broken” – an unbreakable fact, therefore any remarriage = adultery: A few evangelical bible scholars A few reformed churches Some evangelical (bible believing) churches Roman Catholic Let us not judge those who hold a different position to us Let us not judge those who have suffered brokenness of divorce