1 Corinthians 7:39-40

“A wife is bound as long as her husband lives. But if the husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, only in the Lord. But in my judgment she is more blessed if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 7:39-40).

Question:

My husband and I are married for 16 years, and he has departed me since I was six months pregnant to live with another woman. He is contemplating divorce, and I am in a very bad situation because I gave my life to God, but I do not believe in divorce, and I am getting conflicting interpretations toward divorcing and remarrying someone else. My question remains, Isn’t it a sin to be remarried as long as the husband lives, even if he remarries? 

Comment:

Paul is writing to the church he founded in Corinth from Ephesus, where his travels have now taken him. The Corinthians are facing a number of divisive issues, and Paul is anxious to restore order, put an end to disagreements, and get them focused once again on what’s important. Central to this passage is Paul’s conviction—which he, of course, passed on to his congregations—that the world as they knew it was about to end—not in some vague, distant future, but in a matter of days or weeks. His basic message here is ‘Don’t make waves!’ If you’re married, stay married. If you’re not married, stay single. 

Apparently, there was dissension in the church over how much of an upheaval the new faith should require. Should those already married be divorced—especially if their spouses do not accept their faith? Paul’s gentle but impatient advice is that it really doesn’t matter. His personal opinion—freely expressed—is that those who are single are able to focus more completely on spiritual matters, with fewer distractions. But he doesn’t insist that everyone meet that standard. The important thing is to keep your focus on the spiritual. Everything else is secondary.

In this, as in so many other ways, Paul reflects and expresses the culture in which he was living and writing. Women had no rights. Marriage was not based in mutual love, but in practical necessity. Following the loving teachings of Jesus Christ, we have moved far from those limiting customs and beliefs. We see the Christ in all people, regardless of gender. We understand that love is to be the basis of all our relationships—including marriage. We are not to be held captive to ancient limitations. But metaphysically, Paul’s advice still resonates. We are free to make many choices about how we live our lives—who we choose to love, whether we marry or not, what careers we undertake—so long as we always remain focused on the overriding spiritual purpose of expressing our Christ Nature to create—choice by choice—the kingdom of heaven.

Blessings!

Rev. Ed