QUESTION

1 Corinthians 7.39¹

I have a sister in the church who wants to know what some of our faithful brothers understand by the phrase "in the Lord".

ANSWER

It is good to hear from you and thanks for considering me a suitable brother to answer it. My answer is a hard one for many to accept but I am sure the love of Jesus can overcome the heartaches that occur when a child of God "falls in love" with one who is not "in the Lord".

Jesus is Lord - those who are baptised into Christ have put on Christ² and are therefore "in the Lord". To me the corollary is that those who have not been baptised into Christ have not put on Christ and cannot be considered to be "in the Lord"

Why does the Holy Spirit emphasise "only in the Lord"

In 1 Corintians 7 it is emphasised that if one partner of a non-Christian couple becomes a Christian becomes a Christian they are to remain married. Becoming a Christian cannot be used a a reason for divorcing the non-Christian partner. It even goes as far as to say that if the wife is put assunder she must remain single or be reconciled to her husband. [1 Corinthians 7:11³ NOTE: The Greek for the AV "depart" is the same as the Greek verb where the Lord says "let not man put assunder" and in 1 Cor.7:11 it is in the passive voice] However should the Christian be widowed then they are free to marry but not to re-enter a marriage with a non-Christian.

There is wisdom in this. A significant purpose of marriage is to have children. Christians are obliged to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. This is extremely difficult if one partner not in the Lord. Also giving hospitality also can be a problem. Making know the way of salvation can be hindered if the other partner does not agree.

I believe the principle of not entering into a marriage bond with someone outside the Lord applies to any Christian considering marriage. This is seen in the broad sweeping advice not to enter into any type of partnership, business, trade guild, etc., with nonbelievers, which in the NT refers only to those baptised into the Lord, because such a relationship, being unequal, could lead to compromise in decision making, etc.. in 2.Corinthians 6:14⁴.

The best one can do for the beloved non-Christian is to lead them to Christ and to have the love for the Lord and will of the Lord foremost in our hearts, thus sending the message to beloved that our marriage to Christ is the most important thing in our life. Compromising might send the message that Jesus takes second place in our life.

I do hope this helps and pray for our sister and her strength in the Lord.

NOTES	BACK
1	1 Corinthians 7.39 "The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord."
2	Galatians 3:26 "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."
3	Mark 10:9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder [Greek chwrizetw* - active voice - from chwrizw] [ * Pronounce "w" like the Welsh "w" - or like the capital O ] 1 Corinthians 7:10 "unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: 11 But and if she depart [Greek chwrizthee - passive voice - from chwrizw], let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife." Being in the passive voice "if she depart" should be translated "if she is put assunder" or "if she is separated" but it has been toned down by the translators. This is set in the eastern culture where the man useually took the initiative of sending his wife away. This teaching is very stark and hard. It shows that the intitial marriage bond is never dissolved in God's eyes except by death.
4	2 Corinthians 6:14 "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 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. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."

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SHOULD A CHRISTIAN MARRY A NON-CHRISTIAN ?

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