If Depart Remain Unmarried 1 Corinthians 7:11

Paul the apostle told the wives of the church members in Corinth “not to depart from” their “husbands”, and in chapter seven and verse eleven of First Corinthians, Paul told the church members “if she (these wives) depart, let” them “remain unmarried, or be reconciled” where we read:

But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband:

and let not the husband put away his wife.

The verse begins, “But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband:” Paul began with the word, “But” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about be written takes precedence over what is about to be stated “and if she depart” which means “in case a wife separates, divides, puts asunder, divorces or puts away”, “let her remain” or “let the wife abide, sojourn, tarry, continue and stay” “unmarried” which means “unwedded and single”, “or be reconciled” which means “or return to favor with and change mutually ” “to her husband” which refers to “to her male marriage partner”. Paul shared an exception to the Lord's command for the wife to stay married because some situations demanded that she leave her husband, and if she did, she was to “remain unmarried” or “return with favor” to her “husband”.

The verse goes on to say, “ and let not the husband put away his wife.” Paul continued with the words, “and let not” which means “do not allow or permit” “the husband” or “the married man to” “put away” which means “send away, depart from, divorce, disregard, omit, neglect, give up or desert wrongfully” “his wife” which refers to “the married man's personal woman”. Not only were the “wives” not to “divorce” their “husbands”, but also the “husbands” were not “divorce” their “wives”.

When we think through these words from Paul, we understand what a wife in the church is to do if she “departs from or divorces” her “husband”. According to Paul, she is to “remain single” or “be rejoined to her husband”. We learn this principle applies to the “husband” as well. We should remember the “marriage relationship” is a “symbol” of Christ and His bride, the church, and Jesus will do everything possible not only to keep His bride, but also to insure that she never leaves Him. Unfortunately people have “sinful” natures, and “divorce” seems to be the only option, and sometimes it is. If divorce must occur, at this point in Paul's teaching there are only two options - “stay single” or “be reconciled” to the spouse. Paul has more to reveal concerning this issue as we continue to study his instructions to the married church members in Corinth.

Next time Paul tells the church members what to do “if a brother has a wife that doesn't believe”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.