Nothing has done more damage theologically to the state of marriage in the church than the misinterpretation of 1 Cor. 7:15, whereby it is inferred that someone can remarry if they were deserted (or abandoned) by their spouse. Not being "under bondage" does not mean "able to remarry". It means that the believing spouse (whose unbelieving spouse wishes to divorce him) is not bound to try to make that unbelieving spouse stay in the marriage. The popular interpretation of this has opened the floodgates to divorce and remarriage in the church, for what divorce couldn't be classified as some sort of desertion? Also, interpreting the passage as a freedom to remarry does a disappearing act on the innocently divorced spouse of Matt. 5:32. Jesus says that woman (or man) becomes an adulterer by remarriage, even though she was "deserted" by her husband.
"Desertion Not a Ground for Remarriage" – 1 Cor. 7:1-16
I. Who is the innocent spouse of Matthew 5:32? (Dt. 24:1-4; Mt. 5:31-32; Mt. 19:7-9; 1 Cor. 7:15)
II. The meaning of "not under bondage" (1 Cor. 7:1-16)
4 problems with teaching that remarriage is permitted by 1 Cor. 7:15
1. It is an inference, not explicitly taught 2. It ignores the context, showing that "bondage" is the bondage of resisting an unbelieving spouse who wants to leave 3. It makes Paul contradict himself (1 Cor. 7:7-8; 1 Cor. 7:32-35, 40; 1 Cor. 7:39; Rom. 7:2-3) 4. It contradicts Jesus' teaching in Mt. 5:32 and Matt. 19:9.
Objection: Paul said it was better to marry than burn (1 Cor. 7:8-11) Objection: Paul said if you are released from a wife, you do not sin if you remarry. (1 Cor. 7:25-28)
Featuring a sermon puts it on the front page of the site and is the most effective way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands including all mobile platforms + newsletter.
Text-Featuring a sermon is a less expensive way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands on the right bar with optional newsletter inclusion. As low as $30/day.
