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What About “Not Under Bondage”?

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Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles

A querist asks, “In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul is addressing several groups of people regarding marriage.  I have two questions: Is Paul providing additional instructions for divorcing a spouse other than what our Lord taught in Matthew 5:32 and Matthew 19:9, and what does the phrase, “not under bondage” refer to in 1 Corinthians 7:15?

In my study of 1 Corinthians 7, Paul is not providing additional instructions for divorcing a spouse other than what the Lord espoused in the Scriptures you referred to (Matthew 5:32; Matthew 19:9).

The word “bondage” used in 1 Corinthians 7:15 by Paul, does not refer to the marriage relationship at all because Paul does not use the Greek word “Deo.” This term refers to the “binding” of the marriage relationship (cf. Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:27; 1 Corinthians 7:39). God does the “binding” (Matthew 19:4-6).

Rather, Paul uses the Greek word “douloo” (Strong’s 1402) which means one who is a literal slave — one who is “bound” or “enslaved” to another (Paul considered himself being “bound” to Christ — he was a “slave” to Christ – Romans 1:1 NLT; Philippians 1:1 NLT; Titus 1:1 NLT).

The word “douloo” is found in some form, 133 times in the New Testament, referring to the lowest term in the scale of servitude (cf. Acts 7:6; 1 Corinthians 9:19; 2 Peter 2:19; Gal. 4:3). Not one time does it ever refer to the bond of marriage, including 1 Corinthians 7:15.

Additionally, not once in the Bible has God ever viewed the institution of marriage as an institution of “slavery” or “servitude.” Rather, He views marriage as a relationship based on humble “submission” to one another (Ephesians 5:21-22; cf. Philippians 2:1-3).

So, what kind of “bondage” is Paul referring to in 1 Corinthians 7:15? Let’s do an analysis of the text in 1 Corinthians 7:12-24, keeping it in context of what Paul is instructing the Corinthian brethren regarding marriage in this chapter:

1 Corinthians 7:1-11 — Paul is addressing (1) Christians (believers) who are married (vs. 1-7; vs. 10-11); and (2) the unmarried and widows (vs. 8). Note Paul’s instructions to the wife in 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, “A wife is not to depart from her husband. But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife.” The key word here is “reconciled.”

The idea of reconciliation has always been in God’s mind as the means of keeping the marriage relationship intact —  never divorce! (cf. Malachi 2:16). We need to work out our differences in the light of  (or by the instructions found in) Scripture (Psalm 119:105; Psalm 119:125-130; cf. Proverbs 6:20-29).

1 Corinthians 7:12-13 — Paul now addresses “to the rest.” These folks are Christians (believers) who are married to unbelievers. Paul begins his instructions concerning the unbelieving spouse. Note the following phrases in both passages: “and she be pleased to dwell with him” and “if he be pleased to dwell with her.” The word “if” is conditional. ” It’s conditional or contingent upon the unbeliever’s desire to remain with the believing spouse. If they remain together, there’s always the possibility of the believer converting the unbeliever through their godly influence (1 Corinthians 7:16; cf. 1 Peter 3:1-2).

1 Corinthians 7:14-15 — The key word in these two passages, is “unbelieving” (circle the word in your Bible). The Greek word used by Paul is “Apistos.” It describes one who is unfaithful, faithless, and without trust in God.

The teaching in verse 14 regarding the unbelieving spouse and the children involved, is that God’s marriage law applies to all men and women — both believers and non-believers. He joins eligible unbelievers in marriage just the same as believers (Matthew 19:4-6). If this were not the case, the children of a marriage between a believer and a unbeliever would be “unclean” or illegitimate (see the use of the term “bastard“ in Hebrews 12:8 KJV – “illegitimate” – Hebrews 12:8).

NOTE: (For commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:15, see third paragraph from the beginning of this article.)

1 Corinthians 7:16 — Paul’s instructions promote the idea of “staying together” as husband and wife — not divorce. There is a possibility that the unbelieving spouse might become a Christian through the influence of the believing spouse (cf. 1 Peter 3:1).

1 Corinthians 7:17 — Note the statement, “as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk.” The Lord has “called” everyone by the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14). The word “walk” is an action verb depicting continuous activity. Whether married or unmarried, does not in any way change our responsibilities laid down in the gospel (note the use of the word “walk” in 1 John 1:7). We are to continually “walk” or “abide” in the teachings of the gospel of Christ (2 John 1:9).

1 Corinthians 7:18-19 — The keeping of the law of Moses is no longer binding, thus circumcision is of no importance whatsoever (cf. Romans 7:1-6; Gal. 3:10-13; Gal. 5:1-4; Colossians 2:6-17). But the keeping of the commandments of God as found in the New Testament still are in effect (cf. 1 John 2:3; 1 John 3:24).

1 Corinthians 7:20-21 — Note that the text says individuals ought to “abide” (keep on abiding is the idea) “in the same calling” (we are “called” by the gospel — 2 Thessalonians 2:14). He tells them not to care about being a “servant” (slave — one under the law of Moses), but rather have the mindset of one who is “free” from servitude (as one under the law to Christ — 1 Corinthians 7:21; cf. Gal. 5:1-4).

The Lord’s freedman is one set free from service to sin by Christ (Romans 6:22). The “slave” to sin who hears and is obedient the gospel, is indeed “free” (cf. John 8:32; John 8:36).

1 Corinthians 7:22 — Note the phrase, “called in the Lord” (again, “called” by and in obedience to the gospel – 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 ).

1 Corinthians 7:23 — Paul instructs, “be not the servants (slaves) of men” (if you stayed with an unbeliever who wants you to abandon your faith in the Lord, you would definitely be a slave (or in servitude) to that person‘s ungodly mindset).

1 Corinthians 7:24 — Note the instruction to “abide” with God “wherein he is called” (cf. 2 John 1:9-10; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14). This would mean not staying with an unbeliever who is trying to get you to renounce your faith. Let that person “depart” for “God hath called us to peace”, i.e., live in a peaceful environment per 1 Corinthians 7:15, which the believer would not have trying to get the unbeliever to stay under such difficult circumstances.

Conclusion:

So, what kind of bondage is it that Paul is talking about? Paul is simply saying that if the unfaithful, or faithless unbeliever departs, “let him depart” (1 Corinthians 7:15), because the believer (Christian) is not “bound” (enslaved) or “under bondage” to give up Christ (his or her faith), in order to hold on to the unbeliever (the faithless one).

For the devout and faithful Christian to have to give up the Lord and His church for an unbeliever in order to keep the relationship intact, would be the very lowest form of servitude.

However, neither spouse may enter into another marriage unless their marriage ends due to fornication (marital infidelity on the part of either party — Matthew 5:32; Matthew 19:9) or death (Romans 7:1-3) — not simply the desertion of the Christian mate. The deserted mate is to remain faithful to the Lord and the truth found in the gospel by which he or she was “called” (1 Corinthians 7:17-20; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14).

Repeating again — both spouses must seek ways to be “reconciled” to one another (1 Corinthians 7:11) — this is the goal — not divorce!

As you prayerfully study the above Scriptures (Acts 17:11) and the Greek terminology used by Paul, see if the above interpretation doesn’t properly fit the context of 1 Corinthians 7:12-24.

Paul is in no way authorizing another “way” or avenue to get a divorce — quite the contrary. He’s promoting the believer and the unbeliever into staying together (one man and one woman for life), just as our Lord did in Matthew 19:6 — “What God has joined together, let not man separate.”

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