1 Corinthians 7:15

1 Corinthians 7:15 –  But if the unbeliever wants a divorce, let it take place.  In these circumstances the brother or sister is not bound. God has called you to peace.

To properly interpret this verse we must look at 4 things:

1) Context – what is this chapter about? How does this verse fit in with everything else Paul says?
2) Audience – Who is Paul writing to?
3) Greek
4) Historical Events

Have your Bible’s handy! Put your learning caps on.

Paul’s writing to the church at Corinth. A small part of the purpose of this letter is to answer questions that he has been asked by the church in a letter that was apparently sent to him first. You see this in vs 1 and 25 of Chapter 7. Previously in chapter 5 and 6 he is dealing with sexual immorality, including adultery, in the church amongst the members, as well as behaviors that often accompany sexual immorality. He addresses the spiritual consequences as well as the consequences in the church. Keep in mind that Scripture was not originally divided into chapters and verses. This was designed to help us. So, with all of that fresh on Paul’s mind, he is going to tackle the questions the Corinthians sent him pertaining to marriage and singleness.

He first addresses preventing sexual immorality, singleness, marriage, and authority over one another’s body in marriage in vs 1-7.

In verse 8-9 he addresses people who are unmarried and people that have lost their spouse due to death.

In verse 10 he addresses married people, possibly those in the congregation. This is where we really have to start to pay attention:

To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband ¹¹ (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.

In verse 12 he begins to address “the rest”, which can be understood as those that need more instruction – in this case, SPECIFICALLY believers married to unbelievers. Paul talks about the sanctifying influence of a believing spouse over an unbelieving spouse – our ability to point them toward Christ. It may also have to do with our one flesh bond in a way similar to that where we are made righteous when we become one with Christ when it talks about our children being holy. We are a garment to them in a similar way that Christ is a garment to us (we take off our old coat and put on a new one), though we have no saving power ourselves. I think this can be referenced back to Malachi 2. This next verse, 15, is often interpreted to mean divorce and remarriage (not enslaved/bound… peace…), but in light of what Paul just expressed, and the Greek, I don’t think it has anything to do with either of those two things, ESPECIALLY since Paul has already dealt with separation/divorce in verse 10.

First, let’s take a look at the Greek. The first word “bondage” or “enslaved” is never used to refer to the law or to the marriage covenant. That is a different Greek word that we will take a look at in a moment. This word, “douloō” is used 8 times in the NT. It literally means to be a servant or slave. In one verse it is used to describe the 400 years of enslavement to Israel. In every other verse it is used to either describe our enslavement to Christ or sin. Likewise the word “peace” is used to describe the peace we have in serving Christ and in our salvation. This is the Greek word “eirēnē.”

The same Greek word is used in Matthew 24:34 – And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” Also in John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

So in tying in THOSE meanings with THIS verse in light of what Paul says in the previous two verses, we can see that this verse has to do with the responsibility of our role as a wife/husband and being an everyday sanctifying presence in our husband’s/wife’s  life because they have left. In other words, we are free to turn them completely over to God and trust Him with them, leaving us completely free to serve God wholeheartedly. This verse does not free us of the responsibility to pray for them, love them well, or remain faithful to the vows WE took before God. Instead, it’s a similar idea to what Paul references in verses 32-34:  

I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. ³³ But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, ³⁴ and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. ³⁵ I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.

We are free to serve God with undivided interest.

Verses 26 – 31 seem to be dealing with the betrothed (the one group Paul has not yet addressed) which specifically had to do with Jewish tradition (think Joseph and Mary when Mary conceived Christ immaculately). Paul advises not to marry if not betrothed because of the hardships and persecutions they are facing from the Jews and the tension between them and the Romans who obliterate the temple in 70 AD, only 12-15 years after this was written, and to honor their promise if they are. These verses are often misunderstood as well because of the way it was translated. The church at Corinth would have clearly understood the Greek and what Paul meant, for us it takes a little more digging!

If any doubt remains about this interpretation we can take a look at Paul’s final thoughts for this topic in verse 39 –  

A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.

THIS “bound” is the Greek word that deals with our marriage covenant – deō. It is used 44 times in the NT and is used in this instance to reference the binding of God’s law, Word, or will. It is not the same word we saw in verse 15. Likewise the word, “free” in this verse – eleutheros – has no connection to the word “peace in verse 15”.

The message of this chapter – SERVE GOD WHERE YOU’RE AT! Live for Him in whatever you are called to.

I hope this brought you all some clarifi