The second reason for rightful divorce

Everyone knows that Jesus only allowed divorce under adultery. However, in 1 Corinthians 7 Paul talks about one other allowance.

10 Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. 11 But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife.

12 But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her.

13 And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him.

14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.

15 But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace.

16 For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?

These verses discuss how a spouse can lead an unbelieving wife or husband to God. They also allow for divorce should they part because of religion incompatiblity. Notice in verse 15 Paul states that a brother or sister is not under bondage (the wedding vows) should their nonChristian spouse leaves them. While this is Paul's opinion, most Christians do believe he was inspired. These verses allow for divorce in other areas such as abuse. If a wife/husband abuses their spouse they are not Christian no matter what they call themselves. Therefore, under these verses such a divorce would be right in the eyes of God. In a way, it does turn into adultery. Adultery is the mental or physical cheating on a spouse. Abuse and other like actions is cheating on a spouse by demeaning who they are. Also, the unbeliever is commiting adultery against God as the OT and NT throughout explains.

What do you think about this intrepretation?

But to the rest I, not the Lord, say:

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How is that reconciled to a "rightful" divorce? And how is divorce considered "departing" when it may only be separation?

God gave divorce to Moses. If one would study, one would fine that Jesus did not throw out the Torah of Moses. When the verses Christians use to "shoot their wounded"(E. G. Peak) are back translated into their original Hebrew Jesus really says "If a man divorces his wife In order to marry another, commits adultry." That "Vav" of purpose changes the whole thing. But, do you think Christians will choose to allow healing of their wounded? -------- No. Not in a million years!
(Refer to Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus, by Drs. Bivin and Blizzard.)

Searcher of Light said:

These verses allow for divorce in other areas such as abuse. If a wife/husband abuses their spouse they are not Christian no matter what they call themselves. Therefore, under these verses such a divorce would be right in the eyes of God.

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This passage allows no such thing. It specifically says that the Christian must remain with an unbelieving spouse unless the unbelieving spouse chooses to leave. Even then, it says nothing about divorce; it just says to let them leave.

MidnightBlue said:

This passage allows no such thing. It specifically says that the Christian must remain with an unbelieving spouse unless the unbelieving spouse chooses to leave. Even then, it says nothing about divorce; it just says to let them leave.

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What did I say? No way will Christians allow anyone to divorce except for fornication.
To them Jesus did away with the law of Moses. So let those women who through no fault of their own are divorced by their no good husbands, stay single and and destitute raising three kids. Shoot the wounded! They have committed an unforgivable sin. Therefore worthless. What a loving savior? He would say about the same thing he said to the Sadducees, like, "You do greatly err, not knowing the scripture nor the power of God.":biglaugh:

MidnightBlue said:

This passage allows no such thing. It specifically says that the Christian must remain with an unbelieving spouse unless the unbelieving spouse chooses to leave. Even then, it says nothing about divorce; it just says to let them leave.

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Yes, a Christian should remain with the unbelieving spouse as the verses state. However, what level of leaving needs to be considered? Physical leaving, spiritual leaving, or mental leaving? Notice the key verses again:

15 But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace.

16 For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?

Notice that it uses the word bondage. Bondage is associated with slavery in most cases. This type of marriage is bondage to a Christian. Paul states that when the bonder leaves (essentially the most basic defination of divorce) then the Christian is not under obligation to them. He also states that the Christian should try to remain peaceful about the situation and not harbor regrets because one cannot know if they would have had a saving influence upon the spouse should they have stayed.

Ronald, sounds like you have been debating divorce often.

Divorce in my opinion is only allowed for adultery. My entire point so far is there is more than just the physical adultery. Should a spouse disregard the other's views, emotions, and personality that spouse has violated the sanctity of marriage. It is an emotional adultery that allows things to intrude on a relationship. Whether the "other woman/man" is a job, golf, or another person does not matter. This is much the same idea as when the NT talks about idolatry.

Searcher of Light said:

Ronald, sounds like you have been debating divorce often.

Divorce in my opinion is only allowed for adultery. My entire point so far is there is more than just the physical adultery. Should a spouse disregard the other's views, emotions, and personality that spouse has violated the sanctity of marriage. It is an emotional adultery that allows things to intrude on a relationship. Whether the "other woman/man" is a job, golf, or another person does not matter. This is much the same idea as when the NT talks about idolatry.

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All of the corkscrewy Christian notions. Immortal soul, Law nailed to the cross, The New Covenant made with Christians and is here now, Hebrews whom God blinded must accept Jesus to enter the kingdom of God and yeah, divorce. A full plate. Don't you think?:jiggy:

Ronald said:

What did I say? No way will Christians allow anyone to divorce except for fornication.
To them Jesus did away with the law of Moses. So let those women who through no fault of their own are divorced by their no good husbands, stay single and and destitute raising three kids. Shoot the wounded! They have committed an unforgivable sin. Therefore worthless. What a loving savior? He would say about the same thing he said to the Sadducees, like, "You do greatly err, not knowing the scripture nor the power of God.":biglaugh:

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I'm not a Christian, nor am I interested in telling people whether they should get divorced or not. I'm just pointing out that the scripture cited doesn't support the conclusion drawn from it.

According to the Bible there are two reasons for divorce (1) death and (2) adultery. That's not to say that when a partner commits adultery that the innocent partner has to divorce. Marriage is a union instituted by God. He takes it very seriously. More than anythng wants couples to work out their issues and stay together.

Searcher of Light said:

Everyone knows that Jesus only allowed divorce under adultery. However, in 1 Corinthians 7 Paul talks about one other allowance.

10 Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. 11 But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife.

12 But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her.

13 And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him.

14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.

15 But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace.

16 For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?

These verses discuss how a spouse can lead an unbelieving wife or husband to God. They also allow for divorce should they part because of religion incompatiblity. Notice in verse 15 Paul states that a brother or sister is not under bondage (the wedding vows) should their nonChristian spouse leaves them. While this is Paul's opinion, most Christians do believe he was inspired. These verses allow for divorce in other areas such as abuse. If a wife/husband abuses their spouse they are not Christian no matter what they call themselves. Therefore, under these verses such a divorce would be right in the eyes of God. In a way, it does turn into adultery. Adultery is the mental or physical cheating on a spouse. Abuse and other like actions is cheating on a spouse by demeaning who they are. Also, the unbeliever is commiting adultery against God as the OT and NT throughout explains.

What do you think about this intrepretation?

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The scriptures are still saying that Christians should stay with their unbelieving partner. But where the divorce is initiated by the unbeliever then there is no bondage upon the Christian partner they can re-marry. But once again this divorce should never be initiated by the Christian partner.

Of course we are all free to leave our Christian wives or husbands at any time. Divorce is only required when re-marriage is sought. But one can remain married to someone and live separately from them. The transgression only occurs when a person re-marries.

So abuse is not a justification for divorce between Christians, But those caught up in a violent relationship can leave their partner without divorcing them.



All Praise The Ancient Of Days