Paul and Divorce (1 Corinthians 7:12-13)

 

Paul and Divorce (1 Corinthians 7:12-13)

Brett A. Todd

In our last lesson, we looked at divorce in the Bible, specifically, what Moses and Jesus taught, and we found that Jesus was pretty clear about the subject of divorce.  Under no circumstance is a married couple to divorce:  “What God has joined together, let no one separate.”  Of course, the “no one” who separates marriages includes yours truly, Moses. 

The Apostle Paul seemed to be in agreement with Jesus on the subject of marriage and divorce, except for his use of the terms “believer” and “unbeliever” in 1 Corinthians 7:12-13, “...if any believer has a wife who is an unbeliever…” and “...if any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever…”  Instead of thinking of marriage in pure terms of a Jewish covenant relationship with God, as Jesus did (Jesus's audience was the Jews), Paul switched it to “believing in Jesus”.  For him, this was the only way one could have a relationship with God.

Why would Paul do this?  Paul believed that since the Jews rejected Jesus as the Messiah, their covenant relationship with God was null and void.  Now things were different, now they had to believe in Jesus as the Messiah (Paul's audience was mainly Gentiles as well as a few Jews). There was no other way to God.  

Paul’s distinctiveness with the use of the two words, “believer” and “unbeliever” introduced a new situation, and yes, a new problem.  Now, not only was it possible for a Christian to be married to another believer but a Christian could also be married to an unbeliever.

The reason this is a new problem is that in Judaism, Jews were only supposed to marry Jews. This can clearly be seen in the Dead Sea Scroll where a marriage between a Jew and a Gentile was not recognized as a valid marriage. 

Paul viewed things a little differently. He believed that not only could believers be married to each other, but believers could also be married to unbelievers.  But here’s the catch, what happens if the unbeliever decides they don’t want to be married to the believer?  Paul basically told these new Christians, so be it, let them go.  It is off your back.  1 Corinthians 7:15, “But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so; in such a case the brother or sister is not bound.”

One could say that Paul was in some way holding onto the old idea that marriage was only valid if it is between Jews (like the Dead Sea Scrolls), or in this situation, between believers.

Many contemporary Bible readers take this to mean that if your spouse divorces you, you are now free to remarry.  But nowhere does Paul say this.  For Paul and for Jesus, once you were married (believer to believer) you were married for life.

As one can see, not much of what Jesus and Paul said about divorce is helpful for modern marriages, except, for staying married.  But is this always helpful considering such factors as marital abuse and other tragedies in life?

In our next study, we will ask the question: Did the first Christians pray to Jesus. I hope you will join me.