1 Corinthians 7:15
For if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
Okay. Here's the scenario. An unbeliever (Athiest) leaves his Christian spouse. There was no adultry involved or any other reason other than the fact that he could no longer stand to be under the same roof with a Christian.
Is that Christian woman required to remain unmarried and in effect celibate for the remainder of her life? Or does the above verse (please read the chapter for context) mean that not being "under bondage" means she would be free to remarry in the future? I know there is other scripture that states that if a man is to marry a divorced woman, he is causing her to commit adultry.
Clarification please? Help? Please, I ask that scripture be used to back your opinions/comments.
Thank you.
In Christian love.
Amity
On remarriage
Discussion in '2005 Archive' started by Amity, Jan 10, 2005.
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No, the Christian is not under the bounds of the marriage anymore, so consequently, he/she is free to remarry.
The verse about not marrying someone who is divorced is referring to marrying someone who did not get a biblical divorce (abandonment or adultery).
Hsmom3 -
Amity,
I have spent some time on this one. I gave a very detailed explanation of what I believe the Bible to teach about divorce and remarraige on another thread -- http://www.baptistboard.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/10/4585/5.html -
thanks rjprince. will check it out now.
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If it is a BIBLICAL divorce (sexual sin or, as in this case, abandonment) then there can be BIBLICAL marriage.
Jesus gave an "exception" clause and if Jesus said the marriage is dissolved, I'll accept His Word on it. -
Abandonment is a reason for a divorce. Yet every attempt should be made at a reconcilliation before even considering that option.
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Some believe "not bound" to mean "not bound to stay in the marriage." They believe you can divorce, but not necessarily remarry (based on the earlier verse about staying single or being reconciled).
Others believe that "not bound" means "not bound to the marriage, and therefore free to remarry." I personally believe the latter. -
And, Gothard and others argue that it means freedom to separate, but not to divorce! My views are set forth clearly on the link.
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The problem with that is that separation without divorce is not a biblical marriage. You don't gain anything. You are sinning against God by separation without divorce.
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I agree. But per Gothard et al, "Divorce does not break a marriage. Divorce breaks people!"
IMHO, divorce breaks both people and the marriage. Scipture is clear that divorce breaks the marriage, and it is also clear that broken people can find restoration.