1 Corinthians 7:15, If the Unbelieving Depart, Let Him Depart

1 Corinthians 7:15 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.

When the unbelieving partner in a marriage decide to end the marriage because of the faith of his or her partner, the believing partner, what should be the response of the believing partner? However, we saw in 1 Corinthians 7:14 that there is a sanctifying influence that the believing partner makes in the home. As such, as far as possible, the ought to be a persevering on the partner of the believing partner to keep the marriage especially when there is children in the marriage with the view of the salvation of unbelieving partner and children.

The impact of the separation will be devastating for the entire family – 1 Corinthians 7:14 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. Our text tells us in verse 15 that if the unbelieving partner himself or herself chooses to separate, because of the faith and is insistent to separate leading to divorce, the believing partner then should relent.

MacArthur explained well, “God allows divorce in such a case of desertion because He has called us to peace. If the unbelieving husband or wife cannot tolerate the spouse’s faith and desires to be free from the union, it is better that the marriage be dissolved in order to preserve the peace of His child. Fighting, turmoil, bickering, criticism, and frustration disrupt the harmony and peace that God wants His children to have. Again, it is a concession…The brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases. In God’s sight the bond between a husband and wife is dissolved only by death (Rom. 7:2), adultery (Matt. 19:9), and an unbeliever’s leaving. When the bond, or bondage, is broken in any of those ways, a Christian is free to remarry.”¹

May God be gracious to His people. Amen.

¹MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1984). 1 Corinthians (p. 167). Chicago: Moody Press.