Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject REMARRIAGE – An Option For Some 1 Cor 7:12-16  A passage many use to offer authorization for acceptable divorce and remarriage  Often called the “Pauline exception”  Principle Ù apostles were never at liberty to change (make exceptions) to what Divine law mandated Mk 13:9-11 Mt 16:19 Jn 20:23

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject REMARRIAGE – An Option For Some 1 Cor 7:12-16  For Paul to offer another exception to God’s marriage law re: divorce and remarriage would have him acting outside his apostolic authority  Not something he (or any other apostle) would ever do cp. Acts 4:20

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject REMARRIAGE – An Option For Some 1 Cor 7:12-16  “But to the rest I say, not the Lord…” v. 12a  Is Paul giving his own opinion re: marriage?  No…we believe he is addressing a situation Jesus did not personally cover cp. Jn 16:12-13  Did Paul give opinions re: marriage?  Yes 1 Cor 7:25, 28, 40 [Present distress] v. 26

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject REMARRIAGE – An Option For Some 1 Cor 7:12-16  “But to the rest I say, not the Lord…” v. 12a  When it comes to divorcing and remarrying, Paul had no authority in this area  All he could say is what would harmonize with Divine law

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject REMARRIAGE – An Option For Some 1 Cor 7:12-16  “But to the rest I say, not the Lord…” v. 12a  The “rest” = those not previously addressed in vv  This would be believers married to unbelievers  The context clearly states this is Paul’s audience

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject REMARRIAGE – An Option For Some 1 Cor 7:12-16  “But to the rest I say, not the Lord…” v. 12a  The “rule” clearly stated again Ù NO divorce vv. 12b-13  When a believer marries an unbeliever, the unbeliever’s “consent” means he/she knows about the believer’s convictions

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject REMARRIAGE – An Option For Some 1 Cor 7:12-16  “But to the rest I say, not the Lord…” v. 12a  The believing spouse cannot later put away the unbelieving spouse solely because there is not a sharing of faith in Christ  This was known when the marriage began…it cannot now be used as a reason for divorce

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject REMARRIAGE – An Option For Some 1 Cor 7:12-16  “But to the rest I say, not the Lord…” v. 12a  Paul offers ancillary reasons for not divorcing  A constant exposure to the believing spouse’s faith & convictions (“adorning the doctrine of Christ” Titus 2:10 ) may lead the unbeliever to faith in Christ, salvation v. 16

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject REMARRIAGE – An Option For Some 1 Cor 7:12-16  What if the unbelieving spouse is not content to dwell with the believer? v. 15a  Remember the instructions to the believing spouse vv  Yet, the unbeliever can act on his/her own  They have no moral or spiritual compulsions

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject REMARRIAGE – An Option For Some 1 Cor 7:12-16  What if the unbelieving spouse is not content to dwell with the believer? v. 15a  He/She may “depart” or “leave”  This means what it meant in vv …  It refers to “divorce” or ending the marriage  What might cause the unbeliever to so act?

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject REMARRIAGE – An Option For Some 1 Cor 7:12-16  The unbelieving spouse might depart because… …he/she has grown tired of the continual righteousness of the believing spouse and has reacted cp. 1 Jn 3:12-13  They no longer want to play “2nd fiddle”  They may demand “It’s Jesus or me!!”

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject REMARRIAGE – An Option For Some 1 Cor 7:12-16  The unbelieving spouse might depart because… …he/she has grown tired of suffering in the “present distress” with the believer cp. v. 26  They would feel no constraint to remain in the relationship

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject REMARRIAGE – An Option For Some 1 Cor 7:12-16  What does Paul teach the believing spouse?  “Let him depart” v. 15b  This is not an approval of the divorce, but a realistic acceptance of it cp. 14:38 Rev 22:11  The disciple should try to save the marriage, convince the unbelieving mate not to so act

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject REMARRIAGE – An Option For Some 1 Cor 7:12-16  What does Paul teach the believing spouse?  “Let him depart” v. 15b  This is not an approval of the divorce, but a realistic acceptance of it cp. 14:38 Rev 22:11  Yet, the disciple cannot “save the marriage” at the expense of faith, discipleship to Christ

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject