1 Corinthians 7:15

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:15 (KJV)

The apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 7, provides extensive guidance on marriage, singleness, and divorce, addressing various complex situations within the early Christian community in Corinth. This particular verse deals with the challenging scenario of a believer married to an unbeliever.

Context

In the verses immediately preceding, Paul advises believers married to unbelievers to remain with their spouses if the unbelieving partner is willing (1 Corinthians 7:12-14). He emphasizes that the believing spouse sanctifies the unbelieving one, and their children are considered holy. However, 1 Corinthians 7:15 addresses the specific situation where the unbelieving spouse chooses to depart or abandon the marriage. This instruction clarifies the believer's position and freedom in such a difficult circumstance.

Key Themes

• Freedom from Bondage: The core message is that if an unbelieving spouse decides to leave, the believing "brother or sister is not under bondage" in such a case. The term "bondage" (Greek: douloo) implies being enslaved or bound by marital obligation. This statement is widely interpreted to mean that the believing spouse is released from the marital covenant when the unbeliever initiates the separation due to their unbelief or unwillingness to remain in the marriage. This release often implies the freedom to remarry, though interpretations vary among theologians.
• God's Call to Peace: The verse concludes with the foundational principle: "God hath called us to peace." This is not merely the absence of conflict, but a state of wholeness, well-being, and harmony (Greek: eirene). Paul indicates that God's desire for His children is not for them to be held captive in contentious, abandoned, or strife-ridden relationships. The pursuit of God's peace should guide the believer's decisions, even in the face of marital breakdown initiated by an unbeliever.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "bondage" is douloo (δουλόω), which literally means "to enslave" or "to be brought into servitude." Its use here signifies a release from the obligations and ties of the marital bond when an unbelieving spouse abandons the relationship. The word for "peace" is eirene (εἰρήνη), a comprehensive term denoting not only tranquility and harmony but also prosperity, welfare, and a right relationship with God and others. This highlights that God's intention for His followers is a life characterized by inner peace and spiritual well-being, rather than endless contention or marital captivity.

Practical Application

This verse provides significant comfort and guidance for believers facing abandonment by an unbelieving spouse. It teaches that:

1. Release from Obligation: When an unbelieving partner chooses to depart, the believing spouse is not obligated to desperately cling to a broken union. This offers a compassionate understanding of Christian freedom in such dire circumstances.
2. Prioritizing Peace: The ultimate guiding principle is God's call to peace. This encourages believers to seek reconciliation and maintain marriage where possible, but also acknowledges that God does not intend for His children to remain in abusive, abandoned, or perpetually contentious relationships initiated by an unbeliever.
3. Hope and New Beginnings: While the loss of a marriage is painful, this verse implies that the believer is free to move forward, understanding that God's desire is for their peace and not for them to remain "under bondage" to a departed spouse.

It's important to remember that this verse specifically addresses abandonment by an unbelieving spouse and should not be misapplied to other marital difficulties.