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