1 Corinthians: “Each One Should Remain In The Condition In Which He Was Called”

In order for one to “rightly handle the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15), one must first look at the immediate context of any biblical verse under consideration.  Who is talking?  To whom are they speaking?  What is the topic discussed between them?  Additionally, one must also remember that “the entirety of (God’s) Word is truth” (Ps. 119:160a), meaning that one must also consider what the rest of Scripture says about the topic at hand.  I bring this out because some have taken the verses quoted above to mean that “if God calls me to be a Christian while I am involved in a sexually immoral relationship such as adulterous, homosexual, incestuous, or pre-marital unions, or if I become a Christian while I am living a life of drunkenness, drug addiction, thievery, or any other sin of which I am fond and habitually practice, then God is fine with me continuing in those lifestyles.”  Such could not be further from the truth.… Read More 1 Corinthians: “Each One Should Remain In The Condition In Which He Was Called”

1 Corinthians: Directives For Christians Married to Non-Christians

It’s possible that the Jewish Christians in Corinth wondered if marriage to non-Christians was permitted by God, considering that Jews marrying Gentiles was condemned under the Old Law (Deut. 7:1-4).  Paul answers their question by saying that Christians with unbelieving spouses were not to divorce them (7:12-13), a directive different than God’s dictate to remedy unscriptural Jewish marriages with Gentiles by divorcing them (Ezra 9-10; Neh. 13:23ff).  He even gives his hope that the Christian would convert their unbelieving spouse to Christ (7:16).  This shows that his command for widows to remarry “only in the Lord” (7:39) and his later teaching to “not be unequally yoked with unbelievers” (2 Cor. 6:14ff) does not mean that marriages between Christians and non-Christians are inherently sinful.… Read More 1 Corinthians: Directives For Christians Married to Non-Christians

1 Corinthians: Divorce and Separation

God does not want couples to separate or divorce (Mal. 2:16), but also recognizes that such does occur (and may even need to occur, as in cases when a battered wife needs to separate from her abusive husband for her and her children’s safety).  If separation or divorce does occur, there are only two options available for those who are married: to either “remain unmarried or else be reconciled” to their spouse (7:11a).  The only exception to this is if divorce occurred because of the spouse’s fornication, in which case the innocent party could remarry without committing adultery in God’s sight (Matt. 19:9; 5:32).  While many understandably find this a high standard which is hard to accept, it is also understandable why God holds to it since he creates the marital union and considers that commitment (and all commitments and vows) sacrosanct (Matt. 19:4-6; cf. Eccl. 5:4-5).… Read More 1 Corinthians: Divorce and Separation

Divorce and Remarriage: It’s Time We Listened To What Jesus Says

Divorce is a big problem in the world today.  An equally disturbing problem is the tendency so many have to divorce and remarry outside of the parameters of Scripture. For the Lord God of Israel says that he hates divorce, for it covers one’s garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts.  Therefore take heed… Read More Divorce and Remarriage: It’s Time We Listened To What Jesus Says