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| Volume 28 Number 2 February 2026 |
Page 8 |
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| Volume 28 Number 2 February 2026 |
Page 8 |
Brian R. Kenyon
In First Corinthians 7:12–16, Paul discussed Christians being married to non-Christians. In such cases, it is the unbeliever who determines whether or not the marriage will continue. That is, if the “wife who does not believe…is willing to live with him,” then the believing husband is not to “divorce her” [“leave him,” KJV], and if the “husband who does not believe…is willing to live with her,” then the believing wife is not to “divorce [“leave,” KJV] him” (1 Corinthians 7:12–13 NKJV). The faithful Christian has already determined to follow God’s Word in all things, including marriage (Matthew 6:33).
However, if the unbelieving spouse insists on departing the marriage, then Paul says, “Let him depart,” and then adds, “a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases” (1 Corinthians 7:15). “Not under bondage” does not give license for the believer to remarry at the mere departure of the unbelieving spouse (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:11). Rather, Paul was teaching that because the unbelieving spouse left the marriage does not mean the Christian spouse must also leave the marriage—two wrongs do not make a right (cf. Matthew 5:31–32)! When such tragedy happens in marriage, the Christian spouse is not to live in fear and guilt because his or her non-Christian spouse left the marriage. A Christian can acceptably serve God regardless of his or her marital or social status. This is what 1 Corinthians 7:17–24 concerns.
The General Principle of Contentment
Paul began this section, “But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches” (1 Corinthians 7:17). The Lord calls us to salvation through the Gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:14; cf. 1 Corinthians 1:9), and a person was to be content in whatever vocation he or she was called. “As God has distributed” suggests that it is from God’s blessings that we even have a vocation.
The phrase, “so let him walk,” has been construed by some to teach that Paul is saying that no matter what a person’s marital status was when he or she obeyed the Gospel, that person can remain in that marriage. However, “so let him walk” is obviously limited to those vocations that are not sinful (cf. 2 Corinthians 6:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:22). A person living in adultery, which results from an unscriptural remarriage (Matthew 19:9), is obviously in a sinful state and would be excluded from the phrase, “so let him walk.” To use a comparative illustration, suppose that two homosexuals were cohabitating and then later were taught the Gospel. Can they be saved? Absolutely! Can they remain in their homosexual relationship? Absolutely not! Why? Because practicing homosexuality is sinful (Romans 1:26–27; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11; Jude 7)!
Obeying the Gospel involves repentance (Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 17:30–31), and a person cannot repent of a sinful sexual relationship and remain in it. Adultery and homosexuality are both sinful sexual relationships (1 Corinthians 6:9–10). A person can no more remain in an adulterous relationship and be pleasing to God than he can remain in a homosexual relationship and be pleasing to God! What Paul says here about contentment is universally applicable “in all churches.”
Circumcised or Not, One Can Still Serve the Lord
Under the Law of Moses, circumcision was a sign of the covenant (Exodus 12:48; Leviticus 12:3), but physical circumcision is not required under the Gospel system of salvation (Galatians 5:3–4; cf. Colossians 2:14; Romans 2:28–29). It simply does not matter to God anymore. Thus, Paul wrote, “Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters” (1 Corinthians 7:18–19). A person can answer the Gospel call in circumcision or in uncircumcision. What is important is “keeping of the commandments of God.” Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision will influence God’s favor (Galatians 5:6; 6:15). Submitting to God’s will is more important than mere ritual observance (Matthew 7:21–23)!
Slave or Free, One Can Still Serve the Lord
Slavery was a fact of life in the first century Roman world. While slaves were usually regarded as “lower” class citizens socially, there are no such distinctions in God’s kingdom! Paul restated the principle of contentment. “Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called” (1 Corinthians 7:20). A person who answers God’s call while being a slave should not be bothered by it. “Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it” (1 Corinthians 7:21a). The term “do not be concerned [“care not” KJV] about it” shows that slaves can serve and glorify God as much as anyone else (Ephesians 6:5–8; Colossians 3:22–24; Titus 2:9–10). Although Christians are to be content in whatever vocation they are called, as long as those vocations are not inherently sinful (Philippians 4:11), they are to take advantage of opportunities to improve. Paul encouraged the slaves who were called, “but if you can be made free, rather use it” (1 Corinthians 7:21b).
In Christ, a person is both free and in bondage, “For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave” (1 Corinthians 7:22). Christians enjoy a freedom that no person can take away (John 8:32–36; Romans 6:6–7, 14, 22; 8:2; Galatians 5:1). Though free from men, Christians are in bondage to the Master because they have voluntarily surrendered to His will (Galatians 2:20). Because Christ paid their debt of sin on the cross, Christians are not to be the slaves of men. Paul reminded them, “You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men” (1 Corinthians 7:23). Although many Christians in the first century were slaves (such as Onesimus, Philemon 10–19), their ultimate Owner was Christ, and they served Him by serving their earthly masters (Ephesians 6:5–8; Colossians 3:22–25). “Not…the slaves of men” (1 Corinthians 7:23b) and “not under bondage” (1 Corinthians 7:15b) are thus related in that no person—whether earthly master, spouse or otherwise—is to override our obedience to Christ (cf. John 12:42–43; Romans 2:29b).
Conclusion
Paul concluded this section as he began it, “Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called” (1 Corinthians 7:24). A person can serve God no matter his or her social standing, so long as that standing does not violate the law of Christ. Even a Christian whose spouse has departed or has been divorced can serve the Lord. The question for us is, are we serving the Lord? Let us not use our marital status or social standing as an excuse for not serving. Rather, let us serve Jesus with every fiber of our being (1 Corinthians 6:19–20)!
