Scroll down to see 1 Corinthians 7:15
(And don’t forget to read the commentary!)
For believers... always valid... always.
“But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband (but if she does leave, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not send his wife away.” (1 Corinthians 7:10,11 NASV)
“to the [ones] but having married I enjoin, not I but the Lord, a woman from [her] husband not to be separated, but if indeed she is separated let her remain unmarried or the[her] husband be reconciled and a husband [his] wife not to leave” (1 Corinthians 7:10,11 The Interlinear Greek-English New Testament - Zondervan).
“But to those who have married I command, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not depart from her husband and if she departs, let her also remain unmarried or let her be reconciled to her husband. And the husband let him not be putting away his wife” (1 Corinthians 7:10,11 Wuest)
“But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is a believer, and she consents to live with him, let him not send her away. And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with him, let him not send her away” (1 Corinthians 7:12,13 NASV)
“ to the And rest say I, not the Lord: If any brother a wife has unbelieving, and this one consents to dwell with him, not let him leave her; and a woman who has a husband unbelieving, and this one consents to dwell with her, let her not leave the(her) husband” (1 Corinthians 7:12,13 The Interlinear Greek-English New Testament - Zondervan).
“And to the rest I myself speak, not the Lord. Assuming that a certain brother has a wife who is an unbeliever and she herself is content to live with him, let him not be putting her away. And the wife who is such that she has an unbelieving husband, and this husband is content to live with her, let her not be putting her husband away,” ( 1 Corinthians 7:12,13 Wuest)
“Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace” (1 Corinthians 7:15 NASV)
“But if the unbelieving one separates him/herself, let him/her be separated; has not been enslaved the brother or the sister in such matters, but in peace has called you - God.” ( 1 Corinthians 7:15 The Interlinear Greek-English New Testament - Zondervan).
“But assuming that the unbelieving husband departs let him be departing. A [Christian] brother or [Christian] sister is not in the position of a slave, namely (i.e. ‘in the sense of’ -me) bound to the unbelieving husband or unbelieving wife in an indissoluble union in such cases as these; but God has called us [to live] in peace.” (1 Corinthians 7:15 Wuest)
“But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the
wife
should not leave her husband (but if she does leave, let her remain unmarried, or else be
reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not send his wife away... Yet if
the
unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage (like they would be in a believers case, i.e. not allowed to
remarry) in such cases (again, ‘in such cases as these’ as opposed to cases where a
believer
has married a believer), but God has called us to peace” (1 Corinthians 7:10,11,15
NASV)
Also “not under bondage” (or enslaved 1402) is in the 3rd person, singular, perfect, indictavive, passive form of douloo (1402) [See Moulton’s “The Analytical Greek Lexicon Revised]. When something is in the perfect... well I’ll just quote from Machen’s New Testament Greek for Beginners” page 188.
Also it should be pointed out that the word for bondage (in the NASV) is not the same word in the Greek for “bound” in 1 Cor 7:39. In 7:39 the word for “bound” (i.e.“A wife is bound as long as her husband lives”) is deo (1210 in Strongs) and it means to “bind, be in bonds, knit, tie.” and is used in scripture in the sense of a person being a prisioner (or “prisioner”).
The word for “bondage” in 7:15 (i.e. “the brother or the sister is not under bondage”) is douloo (1402 in Strongs) which means to “bring into (be under) bondage, times given (i.e. big time under it, totally given over), become (make) servant.” It basically means for a person to be under enslavement not a prisoner, and it is pretty much against their will too (i.e. involuntary) It is used only 3 times in the New Testament (whereas deo is used 27 times), and the two other times it is used it conveys this type of “enslavement” (i.e. non - prisioner) rendering (Galatians 4:3; 2 Peter 2:19, See also how the more direct Greek translations translate it above)
Basically what Paul is saying in 7:15 is that if a brother or sister has an unbelieving spouse that leaves, that’s it, it’s permanent. The word for bondage refers to slavery. You are basically a slave in that kind relationship with them (i.e. NOT IN A “PRISIONER” TYPE OF RELATIONSHIP AS IN 7:39) and, because it is a slave relationship it CAN be dissolved.
Slave relationships can end. You are either a slave or not a slave (i.e a freeman)
(See the discussion in this section on the “slave clause” nature of believer/unbeliever relationships).
Imagine a Slave Sitting in the Congregation
During the Reading of Paul’s Epistle
Also “not under bondage” (or enslaved 1402) is in the 3rd person, singular, perfect, indictavive, passive form of douloo (1402) [See Moulton’s “The Analytical Greek Lexicon Revised]. When something is in the perfect... well I’ll just quote from Machen’s New Testament Greek for Beginners” page 188.
“The Greek perfect tense denotes the present state resultant upon past action...but even if it had a permanent result (which is possible in the perfect) the verb referring to it (i.e. the permanent result in the exercises) would be aorist (which in this case - 7:15- is not), not perfect (like this case in 7:15) UNLESS the present result rather than merely the past action were specially in view... the perfect passive (which this is in 7:15) refer(s) to a present state resultant upon an act...”Therefore this word is being used in a permanent sense, not temporary.
Also it should be pointed out that the word for bondage (in the NASV) is not the same word in the Greek for “bound” in 1 Cor 7:39. In 7:39 the word for “bound” (i.e.“A wife is bound as long as her husband lives”) is deo (1210 in Strongs) and it means to “bind, be in bonds, knit, tie.” and is used in scripture in the sense of a person being a prisioner (or “prisioner”).
The word for “bondage” in 7:15 (i.e. “the brother or the sister is not under bondage”) is douloo (1402 in Strongs) which means to “bring into (be under) bondage, times given (i.e. big time under it, totally given over), become (make) servant.” It basically means for a person to be under enslavement not a prisoner, and it is pretty much against their will too (i.e. involuntary) It is used only 3 times in the New Testament (whereas deo is used 27 times), and the two other times it is used it conveys this type of “enslavement” (i.e. non - prisioner) rendering (Galatians 4:3; 2 Peter 2:19, See also how the more direct Greek translations translate it above)
Basically what Paul is saying in 7:15 is that if a brother or sister has an unbelieving spouse that leaves, that’s it, it’s permanent. The word for bondage refers to slavery. You are basically a slave in that kind relationship with them (i.e. NOT IN A “PRISIONER” TYPE OF RELATIONSHIP AS IN 7:39) and, because it is a slave relationship it CAN be dissolved.
Slave relationships can end. You are either a slave or not a slave (i.e a freeman)
(See the discussion in this section on the “slave clause” nature of believer/unbeliever relationships).
Imagine a Slave Sitting in the Congregation
During the Reading of Paul’s Epistle
Paul (and the Corinthians [especially any slaves (ex-slaves) that were in the congregation) - as well as the author of this site : - ) ] knew what he was talking about when he used that word. In fact any modern people today who have a history of slavery in their past know exactly what it means to not be bound as a slave anymore, (i.e. you are Free!). Personally I think people who have trouble with this verse have no idea what slavery was about, AND have no idea what it means to be set free from something. You are not - if an unbeliever has left you - enslaved to them anymore, period! You are set free!
Brethren, if an unbelieving spouse has left you that’s it, you must accept it and move on with your life. It’s permanent (according to the Greek perfect passive - see above). Even if you they wanted to come back I’m not so sure they could. (See the story about Abraham’s bosom and the people who wanted to cross over. Some did want to but couldn’t). According to the Greek - as well as where Paul is coming from with his talk about the slavery nature of this kind of relationship (read “slave clause” here) - you can make an excellent case for re-marriage if the unbeliever leaves, and you can re-marry with full confidence that the Greek supports your re-marriage in the context of Paul’s letter to the (1) Corinthians Chapter 7. (See also the discussion below on 7:39,40 regarding interpreting things according to their context)
Brethren, if being bound (i.e. A wife is bound as long as her husband lives 7:39) means “married.” Then it follows that “not under bondage” (7:15) means NOT being married. It’s the simple way, and the correct way of understanding Paul’s thinking in 1 Corinthians 7. Even if you want to make a case that the two words mean “basically” the same thing (which they don’t) it really doesn’t change anything, for Brethren, you are either married (bound) or you aren’t (bound / under bondage OR MARRIED). That’s it.
Also to say what Paul “really” means is that you are not a slave anymore because you cannot be a slave if your “owner” left you high and dry is just DUH (i.e. stating the obvious) and completely ignoring the way he sets up the section in 1 Corinthians 7: 12 (i.e. “but to the rest I say, not the Lord.”). The reason he does that (i.e. says “but to the rest I say, not the Lord.”) is because he is going to go in a different direction (i.e. read completely different direction) than he did in 1 Corinthians 7:10 “not I but the Lord.”
In other words Paul is going to say something significant here, (i.e. something significant is coming !) he is not going to state the obvious, and he is going to qualify whatever it is it by saying “I say not the Lord.” Again, Paul is not just going to state something obvious after he “sets up” this section (i.e. if your “master” leaves - well, I say not the Lord that you just can’t serve him anymore) That would be truly ridiculous.
Brethren, Paul IS saying what he IS saying...
And brethren, don’t feel that the Lord disagrees with this assessment either, for just as Paul says “not I (say) but the Lord (says)” (7:10), just because Paul says that, it does not mean that he does not agree with the Lord at all. It just means that he (Paul) did not say it (i.e. Jesus said it in Mark 10:11; Luke 16:18 AND 1 Corinthians 7:10,11). THE SAME thought (thinking) holds true in 7:10 “I say, not the Lord (says)” It does not mean that Jesus doesn’t agree with it. It just means that He (Jesus) never said it (in the Gospels or ‘word of mouth apparently’). There is NOTHING mysterious about this verse (7:10). There may be other reasons He (Jesus) did not say it (read part II of the divorce site), but that is just speculation on my part. [Click Here]
Brethren, if your life falls within this category remember there are Christian that are there to help. Real Christians. Find and go to a Christian divorce / separation recovery group (in your church / area? Or even start one?) for the help on dealing with the problems associated with divorce. You are beginning a new life now and may need financial advice, some help in other areas and will most likely need the emotional and spiritual support of those who have “been there” or are going through the same things you are going through. EVERYONE should be welcomed in such a group. However Christian who have been divorced from other Christians need to know that their previously relationship is permanent. Also remember if a believer who has been left by an unbeliever re-marries (and God bless them), they can only re-marry in the Lord.
“ Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that. For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lords freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christs slave. You were brought with a price; do not become slaves of men” (1 Corinthians 7:21-23 NASV)
“ A slave wast thou called? not to thee let it matter; but if indeed thou art able free to become, rather use [it]. For the [one] in [the]Lord called a slave a freed man of [the] Lord is; likewise the [one] a free man called a slave is of Christ (1 Corinthians 7:21-23 The Interlinear Greek-English New Testament - Zondervan).
“Were you divinely summoned when you were a slave? Let not that be a concern to you. But on the assumption also that you are able to become a free man, the rather take advantage of the opportunity, for the salve who was divinely summoned by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise, he who was divinely summoned when he was a freedman, is Christ’s slave” (1 Corinthians 7:21-23 Wuest)
“Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But if you marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin should marry, she has not sinned. Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you.” (1 Corinthians 7:27,28 NASV)
“ Hast thou been bound to a woman? do not seek release; hast thou been released from a woman? do not seek a woman. If But indeed thou marriest, thou sinnedst not, and if marries the virgin, she sinned not; affliction but in the flesh will have - such, I and you am sparing.” (1 Corinthians 7:27,28 The Interlinear Greek-English New Testament - Zondervan).
A footnote in the interlinear states: “As the same Greek word (gunay) means “wife” or (?married) woman” it is not always easy to differentiate in translating. So also the one Greek word (dnayr) means “man” or “husband” (P.495)
“Have you been bound to a wife? Stop seeking to be loosed. Have you been loosed from a wife? stop seeking a wife. But if you marry, you did not sin. And if the virgin marry, she did not sin. However, such as these shall have tribulation in the sphere of one’s physical existence [on earth]. But, as for myself, I would be sparing you.”( 1 Corinthians 7:27,28 Wuest)
Please Note:
“Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But if you (i.e. the released person) marry (i.e. according to 7:15), you have not sinned; and if a virgin (as opposed to the non virgin ‘released from a wife’ person just mentioned) should marry, she has not sinned. Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you.” (1 Corinthians 7:27,28 NASV)
“A wife is bound as long as her husband lives; but if her husband is dead, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. But in my opinion she is happier if she remains as she is; and I think that I also have the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 7:39,40 NASV)
“ A wife has been bound for so long a time as lives the husband of her; but if sleeps the husband, free she is to whom she wishes to be married, only in [the] Lord. But happier she is if so she remains, according to - my opinion; and I think I also [the Spirit} of God to have” (1 Corinthians 7:39,40 The Interlinear Greek-English New Testament - Zondervan).
“A wife is bound as long as her husband may live. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry whomever she desires, only in the Lord. But she is in a state more conductive to her well-being if she remains as she is, in my judgment. However, I think, as for myself, I also have God’s spirit [in this, as well as my own judgment] .”( 1 Corinthians 7:39,40 Wuest)
Please Note:
“A wife is bound as long as her husband lives (with the exception of verse 15 in the context of the chapter. Remember the golden rule of interpretation is to take things in it’s complete context (Paragraph, Chapter then Book [or epistle] ). Read the footnote in 7:15 above) ; but if her husband is dead, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. But in my opinion she is happier if she remains as she is; and I think that I also have the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 7:39,40 NASV)
“What the Bible really says about Divorce”
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Thus you can have your own web site [Angelfire (Lycos ) offers free web pages as well as many other sites Click here and ask around].
Periodically I will update the links on these pages. Below you will find the dates of the ‘last update’ of a particular page. If you wish you can use the below “updates” as a guide to update your own pages or you can update your own at you own discretion.
Feel free to improve on any of the pages you copy.
Also, feel free to use this entire sites content (Music, Theology, Divorce and Remarriage etc.) in any way you wish (for example: if you wish to publish a page in whole or in part in another medium (let’s say in tract or book form), you have my permission to do so (and you don’t have to inform me or put my name on the work).
You can also sell the work at a profit if you wish, just having these works circulating in the world is reward enough for me).
Again, this is an open source web site. The code (as well as content) is free to all. Feel free to tinker, dabble and fiddle around with both code and content. God is a very creative Spirit. Who knows what kind of page(s) you will develop. Also, who knows what kind of influential tracts or books you may write. (If you want you can change the sentence structures around and put this sites content in your own words. Then put your name on the book or tract and shop it around to some publishers. Most of this sites content is desperately in need of rewrite so putting your name on a rewritten work is probably a good idea, actually a very good idea).
May God bless you in your efforts.
P.S. If you copy these pages to a server make sure you place your own e-mail address on the pages so people will know whom to write if they have any questions (you can also leave my e-mail address on them if you wish (i.e. StevenMRyan@cs.com), but as of now I don’t have the time to answer everyone’s questions so I think your e-mail address would be a better idea).
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