Divorce and Remarriage
Introduction
We started this Chapter a fortnight ago – looking at singleness and marital intimacy
There are advantages of being single – examples
Marital intimacy is a safeguard to immorality – there are other reasons
Marriage is about giving not getting
Looking now at v10-16
This is not all the Bible teaches
Remember that Paul is answering questions – examples
v10-11 is about Christian marriage and then switches in v12 to mixed marriage
Overview:
Christian Marriage
Mixed Marriage
God has placed us in the state we find ourselves – no situation is unredeemable
Christian Marriage
This is a great blessing
Prov 18:22, 31:10
Paul wants to address a marriage that goes wrong
He says what Jesus says
God established the marriage unit – it is the binding of two people to each other by God
True of all – a Creation Ordinance
The words of Jesus – He speaks of the sanctity of marriage
It should not be entered lightly
It mirrors the relationship between Christ and the Church
God will give us grace to overcome by the Holy Spirit
The Christian Marriage
Malachi 2:16
Matt 5 & 19 – because of the hardness of men’s hearts – divorce was permitted
There is real pain in divorce
People do not always stay together
There is the hope of reconciliation and remain in an unmarried state
Both are expected to obey this – there is equality
Paul is not speaking of every scenario – examples
People can be saved from very raw/rough backgrounds
Paul is not dealing with the exceptions but giving the rule
Mixed Marriage
v10 – different interpretations
Not just Paul giving his own view
Rather this is an area on which Christ has not taught
v17 – He gives teaching that is binding on the Churches
14:37
These commandments are binding – they are from God
Do not divorce an unbeliever if they are willing to live with you – v12
What witness would that be?
1 Pet 3:1 – the husband can be won over
Said to both husband and wife – v13
Encouragingly, there is a Godly influence upon your spouse and children – v14
There is a blessing to them because of your faith in the Lord
Not speaking about child baptism – but children are blessed if they have believing parents
Example of Timothy
What about where there is an intolerable strain on the relationship? – v15
There comes a time when they might go
Not just the bondage of an oppressive relationship but the bondage of desertion
Where a marriage is dissolved – it is over and there is freedom to remarry
God has called us to peace
Three concessions: adultery, desertion and death (Romans)
Closing Remarks
God wants people to be together
We are to work hard and pray that our marriages are God honouring
No situation is unredeemable – God gives grace
Paul is burdened that Christians live God honouring lives
v16 – the most important thing is that you are saved