biblical examinations of an emotional & controversial subject

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject


DIVORCE

Biblical Examinations Of AnEmotional & 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 apostles were never at liberty to

change (make exceptions) to what Divine law mandated Mk 13:9-11 Mt 16:19 Jn 20:23


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


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


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


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. 10-11 This would be believers married to unbelievers The context clearly states this is Paul’s audience


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 NO divorce

vv. 12b-13 When a believer marries an unbeliever, the

unbeliever’s “consent” means he/she knows about the believer’s convictions


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


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


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. 12-14 Yet, the unbeliever can act on his/her own They have no moral or spiritual compulsions


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. 10-11… It refers to “divorce” or ending the marriage What might cause the unbeliever to so act?


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!!”


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


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


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

Documents

biblical examinations

divorce slide

divine law slide

unbelieving spouse

gods marriage law

acceptable divorce

marriage beganit

believers convictions