1. “N OW C ONCERNING ” R EPLY T O T HEIR L ETTER - L IBERTY IN C HRIST - 7:1-16:4 1 C ORINTHIANS 7:1-40 Q UESTIONS ON M ARRIAGE (Instruction, Restrictions, Present Distress, Liberties)

2. Questions About Marriage 1 Corinthians 7:1-3 “Now concerning the matters about which you wrote. It is well for a man not to touch a woman. But because of the temptation to immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband.” “ Instruction, Restrictions, Present Distress, Liberties

3. Questions About Marriage 1 Corinthians 7:4-6 “For the wife does not rule over her own body, but the husband does; likewise the husband does not rule over his own body, but the wife does. Do not refuse one another except perhaps by agreement for a season, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, lest Satan tempt you through lack of self- control. I say this by way of concession, not of command.” “ Instruction, Restrictions, Present Distress, Liberties

4. Questions About Marriage 1 Corinthians 7:7-9 “I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own special gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is well for them to remain single as I do. But if they cannot exercise self- control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion. ” “ Instruction, Restrictions, Present Distress, Liberties

5.  Response to previous letter — (7:1)  Marriage not required but beneficial (7:1,2)  The conjugal duties are a mutual obligation — (7:3-5)  Concession (7:6) - not a command— but liberty—not merely opinion!  If one can abstain from marriage—it would be expedient, even advisable under the circumstances (7:6-9; cf.26) P RINCIPLES OF M ARRIAGE 1 Corinthians 7:1-9

6. Questions About Marriage 1 Corinthians 7:10-12 “To the married I give charge, not I but the Lord, that the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, let her remain single or else be reconciled to her husband) --and that the husband should not divorce his wife. To the rest I say, 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. ” “ Instruction, Restrictions, Present Distress, Liberties

7. Questions About Marriage 1 Corinthians 7:13,14 “If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is consecrated through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is consecrated through her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is they are holy. ” “ Instruction, Restrictions, Present Distress, Liberties

8. Questions About Marriage 1 Corinthians 7:15,16 “But if the unbelieving partner desires to separate, let it be so; in such a case the brother or sister is not bound. For God has called us to peace. Wife, how do you know whether you will save your husband? Husband, how do you know whether you will save your wife?” “ Instruction, Restrictions, Present Distress, Liberties

9.  Divorce is a sin -- (7:10,11; Matthew 19:3-9) P RINCIPLES OF M ARRIAGE 1 Corinthians 7:10-16

10. M ARRIAGE V OWS TO BE K EPT The One Exception Abuse Alienation of affection Desertion Drunkenness Drug Abuse Incompatibility NOTNOT Irritability Irreconcilable differences Irresponsibility Insanity Etc.

11.  An Exception is not the rule  The exception is divorce for fornication  The exception is given to the one who divorces an unfaithful mate M ARRIAGE V OWS TO B E K EPT Except for Sexual Immorality Matthew 5:32; 19:9

12. Marriage Vows to be Kept A wife is not to depart from her husband And a husband is not to divorce his wife The Command But if you disobey the command, there are but two options Remain unmarried Be reconciled OR

13. Marriage Vows to be Kept depart not (11)but even if she departs, 1 John 2:1 Sin not. And if anyone sins, The Command Permission is not given to divorce or to sin! But rather instructions to those who find themselves guilty of doing what the Lord said, “not to do.”

14.  Divorce is a sin— ( 7:10,11; Matthew 19:3-9)  “ The rest ”—the married but not separated—an instance of liberty, involving circumstances that are not completely under the believer’s control— the believer must remain in the marriage— (7:12,13)  “ Holy ”—set apart—benefit of the unbeliever being married to a Christian— Children legitimate— (7:14) M ARRIAGE V OWS TO BE K EPT 1 Corinthians 7:10-16

15.  “But if the unbelieving partner desires to separate, let it be so; in such a case the brother or sister is not bound. For God has called us to peace.” M ARRIAGE V OWS TO B E K EPT A Pauline Privilege in 1 Corinthians 7:15 ? Why would the UNBELIEVER depart ?

16.  (doulow): to make a slave, reduce to bondage  Denotes a “ servile condition.”  Noun and verb used 133 times in the New Testament, NEVER refers to marriage bond ! M ARRIAGE V OWS TO B E K EPT Not “Under Bondage” 1 Corinthians 7:15

17.  The departure of the unbelieving spouse releases a person from spousal duties, but does not sever the tie of marriage  Hold to Christ, even if it means being deserted by one’s unbelieving spouse. M ARRIAGE V OWS TO B E K EPT Not “Under Bondage” 1 Corinthians 7:15

18. Is Not Under Bondage Hath Called Us To Peace Has Not Been Bound & Is not Now Has Been Called & Is Now Begin When Deserted? Begin When Converted?

19.  Ignores marital responsibilities (7:3-5; Ephesians 5:22-33; 1 Peter 3:1-7)  It makes one a covenant breaker (Proverbs 2:16,17; Malachi 2:14; Romans 1:28-32)  It casts a stumbling block (Matthew 5:31,32; Luke 17:1,2; Romans 14:13,21; 1 Corinthians 10:31-33) M ARRIAGE V OWS TO BE K EPT Sin Involved in Every Divorce!

20.  Creates victims (Malachi 2:14)  A destroyer of lives— family and of society  Adversely effects every relationship M ARRIAGE V OWS TO BE K EPT Sin Involved in Every Divorce!

21.  Marriage not advisable due to “ current distress ” (vs.26) —but marriage is preferred over the sin of fornication (7:1,2)  Both husbands and wives are to fulfill marital responsibilities to one another—if there is a need for fasting and prayer—it must be a temporary separation and by consent of both parties— (7:3-5)  Marriage is a liberty —not a requirement (7:6-9) P RINCIPLES OF M ARRIAGE 1 Corinthians 7:1-9

22.  Do NOT DIVORCE —but if the sin of DIVORCE occurs—there are only TWO options unless the exception of Matthew 19:9 applies— (7:10,11)  Christians married to unbelievers must not DIVORCE their unbelieving spouses—but if the unbeliever leaves—the Christian must hold fast to the Lord—they may save their spouse— (7:16; cf. 1 Peter 3:1,2) M ARRIAGE V OWS TO BE K EPT 1 Corinthians 7:10-16

23. “N OW C ONCERNING ” R EPLY T O T HEIR L ETTER - L IBERTY IN C HRIST - 7:1-16:4 1 C ORINTHIANS 7:1-40 Q UESTIONS ON M ARRIAGE (Instruction, Restrictions, Present Distress, Liberties)