1 Corinthians 7:39 – Only in the Lord

A wife is bound by law for whatever time her husband is living. Yet if the husband should be reposing, she is free to be married to whom she will, only in the Lord.

Marriage is a commitment for life, “until death do us part”. Everyone knows that, although few take it seriously. People stay together as long as they ‘have feelings for each other’. With such a shaky foundation, it is not surprising that many marriages end in divorce. Many therefore decide not to get married at all and start living together without obligations.

In Biblical education, marriage is never based on feelings but on faithfulness. Like GOD is faithful. Should divorce nevertheless occur, the believing partner would remain unmarried to always keep the door open for reconciliation (:11).

Of course a widow or widower is completely free to marry whom he or she wants. “Only in the Lord”, Paul adds. I.e. both partners would accept the Lord. Otherwise you become “diversely yoked”, as it is called elsewhere (2 Cor. 6:14). That is not recommended: such a relationship is stifling for both partners. Serving the Lord together is the ideal!

Delen: