Marriage
Marry or not?
Paul’s suggestion is: it is good not to marry (7:1,7,8).
Marry for avoiding fornication (7:2). It is better to marry than to burn. (7:9,36)
Divorce
No departure (7:10), except for the following cases:
- “with consent for a time”, devote to fasting and prayer. (7:5)
- The unbelieving departs. (7:15)
Even if one has to depart, remain unmarried, be reconciled. (7:11)
If one believes and the other has not yet believed, let the willing spouse stay. (7:12-14)
We are to remain the same status when converted (7:20)--circumcised or uncircumcised (7:18-19), servant or freeman (7:21-23), married or single (7:25-27).
Paul prefers to be single, as the married cares for the world but the single cares for the Lord’s matters. (7:32-35, 37,40)
For those who remarry (7:39), there are 2 conditions:
- the spouse is dead.
- marry the believer.