Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

I would say that the difference between Jesus and Paul on this subject is the issue of whose side the initiative is on.

According to Jesus, a Christian is not permitted to pursue divorce from a spouse (even if that spouse is an unbeliever) except on grounds of adultery on the spouse's part. (In addition, even in cases of adultery on the spouse's part, the Christian is not commanded or obligated to seek divorce, but is just allowed to do so.)

In Paul's teaching, by contrast, the initiative is on the part of an unbelieving husband or wife who does not share his or her spouse's Christian faith. As a non-Christian, the unbelieving spouse is not bound by Christ's teaching. If an unbelieving spouse leaves a Christian spouse because of being unwilling to accept or co-exist with the Christian's faith, and refuses to remain in the marriage as long as the believing spouse is a Christian, then the Christian's obligation to God takes precedence even over the marriage vows between the spouses, and even if the Christian would be willing to remain with the unbelieving spouse.

August 19 2019 • 3 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

Does Paul in 1 Corinthians 7:10-16 contradict what Jesus said about divorce?

Paul in 1 Corinthians 7:10-16 does not contradict Jesus’ teaching on divorce, but rather applies it to new, specific situations, such as marriage with an unbeliever. Paul reinforces the prohibition of divorce (1 Cor 7:10) and, if separation occurs, advises reconciliation or remaining unmarried. He adds that if an unbeliever leaves, the believer is "not bound" 1 Cor 7:15

Fundamental Agreement: Both Jesus and Paul teach that marriage is intended to be a lifelong covenant.

Paul’s instructions in 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 regarding believers (where both spouses are Christians) directly align with Jesus’ teaching against divorce.

Jesus addressed a general, absolute prohibition regarding divorce (with an exception for adultery in Matthew), while Paul addressed specific, practical questions facing the early congregation, such as mixed-faith marriages. 

Paul showed that both marriage and singleness are gifts from God. 

Paul doubtless had in mind what Jesus said. After establishing that marriage came from God, Jesus showed that willing singleness for the sake of serving Kingdom interests is a particular gift: 

When human marriage began, God said that a husband and wife should “stick” together. Genesis 2:18-24

Paul wrote: “To the married people I give instructions, yet not I but the Lord, that a wife should not depart from her husband; but if she should actually depart, let her remain unmarried or else make up again with her husband; and a husband should not leave his wife.”​—1 Corinthians 7:10, 11.

In 1 Cor 7:10-11. Paul referred that neither mate had been immoral, so when the husband or wife departed, the marriage did not end in God’s sight.

But, if Christian mates do separate? They must “remain unmarried or else make up again.” Unless it is a question of divorce obtained on the grounds of “fornication,” neither of them is Scripturally free to remarry.

Conclusion:

Paul wrote that a wife/husband who was separated from the wife/husband should “remain unmarried or else be reconciled with her husband.” So the two were still united in God’s eyes. Paul advised that, whatever the underlying problems, if sexual immorality is not involved, the goal should be reconciliation.

1 day ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report