Paul continues with his instructions to the married in Corinth. Much instruction is needed on this subject. Today, there is a thriving industry built around the institution of marriage. Every opinion on the matter is heeded but that of the Institutor of marriage, the God of Heaven. It is His opinion that Paul is proffering to the Corinthians.

How deep was the ignorance on this subject is seen in the detail with which Paul handles the matter. How important to the stability of the work of God is seen also in the detail employed. 

Having dealt with the general principles that underlie the marriage union, Paul now begins to deal with the difficulties that were troubling the church at Corinth.

I. NOTICE THAT PAUL EMPHASISES THAT HIS TEACHING WAS THAT OF THE SAVIOUR

The Saviour dealt with this aspect of marriage. Matt 5:32, 19:9, Mark 10:11, Luke 16:18.

1. The marriage union is not to be dissolved. This the command of Christ, verse 10. The word has military overtones. The wife is mentioned first since it is her that would usually have been required to move out of the husband’s property. Paul does not fail to speak also to husband, 11.

2. The only exception to the rule is fornication. The only exception is not here referred to. But no other event is cause for the dissolving of a marriage.

3. If separation has taken place, only two options are open. Verse 11. Reconciliation or remain unmarried. Today’s society is making bad worse by  the formation of adulterous unions, oft-times sanctioned by Christians. 

* Free Presbyterian Church position.   

II. AN UNCONVERTED PARTNER IS NOT CAUSE FOR SEPARATION

Obviously, there were those who were converted after they married and now find themselves united to a heathen. Some may have found themselves married to abominable idolaters. But that was not grounds for breaking the marriage bond. 

1. This is a situation that the Saviour did not have to deal with. Hence the meaning of Paul’s words in verse 12. Where there was a willingness by the unconverted partner to continue the marriage, the believer was not to break it, 12-13.

2. Such a marriage did not result in the defilement of the believer. Verse 14. Paul’s exhortation in 5:10-11 had, in the case of idolaters, an exception within the marriage bond. Yet, even in marriage, the believer was not to be partaker of the sins of a partner.

3. Notice the privilege of being linked to a Christian. Verses 14-16. All links to the child of God bring privileges. They are the salt of the earth, the light of the world. An ungodly man and ungodly children are placed in a different category because of the Christian. Many an ungodly youth, wife etc., were greatly benefitted by the actions of a godly man in the home of the Israelites on the night of the passover in Egypt. Noah’s son, Ham, is another example of the sanctifying influence of a believer. Isaiah 1:9, Zech 8:23, Acts 27:21-25.

III. WHILE THE GOSPEL WILL BRING GREAT CHANGES, IT WILL NOT BRING A CHANGE TO OUR CALLING

Verse 17-24. What various difficulties arose as a result of conversion! So revolutionary was the change that every relationship was brought into question. Not just the state of marriage but the Jew and his Mosaic law, the slave and his master. 

1. There are distinctions among men. The Jews were distinguished by God from all other races for a period of over 1500. Christians themselves are also now distinguished. There are natural distinctions, intellectual, civil or social distictions as well as those that are religious. Such distinctions often bring complaints from men. 

2. The changes caused by the gospel tend to make some believe that such distinctions are wrong. Deut 10:17, Job 34:19, Matthew 22:16, Rom 2:11, Gal 2:6, Eph 6:9, I Peter 1:17.

3. It should ever be the Christian’s desire to be content with the will of God. We must seek to abide with God, verse 24. What we are, where we are, is ordained of God. So it was in Israel when God appointed the portion of every man and distributed it by lot in order to show that is it was so, Numbers 33:54.

4. Let us seek grace to serve the Lord wherever we are. Philippians 4:11.

5. Where grace proffers a change of calling let us take it for the honour of God. Verse 21. The man offered freedom should use his new calling for the Lord.

There is a practical lesson here for us all. Changes of occupation, location associations etc., should not be entered into lightly. We should know that the move or change is of God and for His glory.