Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | 1 Corinthians 7:15 Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Corinthians 7:15 But if the unbelieving partner leaves, let him leave. In such cases the [remaining] brother or sister is not [spiritually or morally] bound. But God has called us to peace. |
Bible Question:
Can one know if their spouse is saved? If not, then how could anyone ever apply 1 Cor. 7:15 to their own situation? It Is Necessary To Discern Dogs And Swine ____________________ "In order to fulfill the commandments that follow (in Matthew 7), it is necessary to discern dogs and swine (v. 6) from one's own brethren (vv. 3-5)" ____________________ Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace. (NASB 1 Corinthians 7:15) AMPLIFIED 1 Corinthians 7:15 But if the unbelieving partner [actually] leaves, let him do so; in such [cases the remaining] brother or sister is not morally bound. But God has called us to peace. If there is no way to tell whether a person is a believer -- if one cannot know whether their own spouse is saved -- then 1 Corinthians 7:15 becomes meaningless. Why would the Scripture say "if the unbelieving one leaves...", if it cannot be known whether or not the spouse is an unbeliever? (If one's spouse does not profess to be a Christian -- has never made a profession of faith in Christ for salvation -- it is reasonable to assume that he IS an unbeliever. This is a different situation altogether than that of knowing whether someone who PROFESSES to be a believer really is.) Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. Matthew 7:1 Amplified New Testament '7:1 Judge not. As the context reveals, this does not prohibit all types of judging (v. 16). There is a righteous kind of judgment we are supposed to exercise with careful discernment (John 7:24). Censorious, hypocritical, self-righteous, or other kinds of unfair judgments are forbidden; but in order to fulfill the commandments that follow, it is necessary to discern dogs and swine (v. 6) from one's own brethren (vv. 3-5)' (MacArthur Study Bible, Word Publishing, 1997). |
Bible Answer: The topic is salvation, I suppose, and whether or not one can determine if another person is saved. Though it may touch on the issue of divorce and remarriage, and though an understanding of the relevance may be expressed here, it is not this writer's focus or reason for responding. How can anyone besides the person himsel, and God, know if that person is saved? A person who is saved knows, with varying levels of assurance, that they are saved (Romans 8:16; 2 Timothy 1:12; Colossians 2; Hebrews 10:22; 1 John 5:13, etc.). The Lord knows those who trust in Him (Nahum 1). "The Lord knows those who are his" (2 Timothy 2). Jesus said, “My sheep …, … I know them … and I give unto them eternal life” (John 10). It may be said, then, that only God and the person know whether they are saved or not. There are many situations in which one may want to know if another person is saved. That includes the time when he is deciding whether or not to make the person his spouse. The directive is that we are not to be unequally yoked with a person who us an unbeliever. 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? (2 Corinthians 6). Another time might be the occasion one has to witness to the person. He would want to know if the person is already saved. In this instance, how can one know? In the case where a person as lived with another, being their spouse, there may be ample reason to believe or not believe the person is saved. The person might have said they were, or accepted the idea of being called by the Lord’s name (as in Jeremiah 15:16). They will have shown some interest, or not, when the topic of salvation had come up. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18). Otherwise, they may have shown it by their lifestyle. There is a difference between light and darkness (John 3:19; Ephesians 4). In any case, one can tell by witnessing to them. They are either saved, and have some measure of assurance, or they will indicate whether they want to be saved or not (as in Acts 19). There may be other reasons why one may find it necessary to discern dogs and swine from one's own brethren. Perhaps the surest way is to ensure that what you are casting before them are indeed pearls. They you can see their reaction, whether they reject it or turn again and rend you. Then the idea is to not repeat the error. Some who accept the truth may yet hold the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1). But the word from the Lord is: "Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness” (2 Timothy 2). To the extent that the person shows an inclination or intention to do so, that is an indication (John 10; 1 John 2). The question is intriguing because, of all the people of interest, it is one’s spouse that is involved, and possible a spouse who has left the home. Why would one be specially interested in knowing if the person is saved after the person has left? Is it because he wants to witness to the person or to pray for their salvation? Is it because the person wants to find another spouse while that one is still alive? In that latter case the person may be even seeking justification for his or her own desire to leave. The word from the 1 Corinthians 7 passage is, if you are married to them, then don’t leave (v. 11). If they leave, don’t replace them with another, not until they die (v.11; Romans 7). In the end, then, one does not need to know if their spouse is saved in order to 1 Corinthians. 7:15 to their own situation? The passage is not meaningless, but the question of the spouse’s salvation is irrelevant. Why would the Scripture say, "If the unbelieving one leaves..."? God knows that unbelievers do not trust him, and they may not obey him. He does not want them to leave, but they may leave anyway. Yet, they may be pleased to remain (v. 12). In that case they are sanctified (v. 14) and they may even get saved, living with a believer (v. 16; 1 Peter 3). The question is not whether the unbeliever will obey. They probably won’t. The question is whether the believers will trust him under those circumstances, and whether they will still obey. |