Lesson 2058

(Lesson 2058)(06-21-17) 1 Corinthians 7:12-16

"But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?"

In today's quote, Paul established that a man who is married to an unbelieving woman or a woman who is married to an unbelieving man, is NOT "unequally yoked together" with an unbeliever, as some assert today. To the contrary, Paul made it very clear that a man or woman who is married to an unbeliever, should remain in that marriage in order to possibly save his/her unbelieving mate, "For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband".

There is a misconception that is, and has been, being taught by many so-called Christian denominations, that a child of God should not be married to an unbeliever because he/she would then be considered "unequally yoked together". That is simply not true, as Paul clarified in today's quote.

"The scriptural text from which that erroneous contention is derived is found in 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."

To be UNEQUALLY yoked together with an unbeliever would require one to be married to an unbeliever who has the power to force that one to betray his/her own belief or worship something or someone other than the One true living God. In short, one who is weak in the faith should not marry an unrelenting idol worshiper.

It would be a bonus blessing if, through marriage, another otherwise lost soul could be brought to the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore, marriages between the children of God who are standing on solid spiritual ground and unbelievers should not be discouraged.~