1 Corinthians 7:39 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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1 Corinthians 7:39

Comments

Marriage is for life, and only ends, according to the law, when either husband or wife dies. It belongs to this world, and does not continue in the world to come. ‘In the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven’, says Christ (Matthew 22:30). Thus the conundrum of the Sadducees about which of several husbands a wife will marry in the hereafter is removed. Marriage is replaced in the world to come by something far greater, for marriage is a picture of the far more wonderful union in heaven between Christ and the church. It is given by God to those in this world, partly for practical reasons, and partly to instruct us about this vastly more significant union. Death therefore ends that union, even though it is certain that the love that exists between believing man and wife will continue in heaven. Once that union has ended according to God’s law, it is perfectly right for the surviving spouse to marry again. Paul even encourages this in the case of younger widows, rather than taking them onto the list of widows supported by the church: ‘But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry … I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully’ (1 Timothy 5:11, 14).‘Only in the Lord.’ Paul is talking about who she marries, not about the nature of the wedding service. She may remarry as a believer following the loss of her husband, but, as he has stated, she must only marry another believer.

Application

When we read these rules, we see that marriage is serious and binding. It should cause us to tremble that we might make one of the most serious decisions we make when we are still immature. Be careful; pray. Don’t get into form of behaviour that will accelerate marriage before due consideration has been given.

Questions

How long should courtship be? As a guidance if a person is under 22, courtship should last at least a year before they marry. The only exception is when there is a lot of pain in the waiting. Courtship should probably not be less than 6 months.

If the pastor feels that a couple are not compatible, should he refuse to marry them? Yes, initially he might do so, but if they are persistent, then the opposite could be worse: they leave the church and marry anyway.

If a pastor marries a believer to an unbeliever, doesn’t he undermine his preaching? To marry in the Lord is their Christian duty, but you cannot throw them out of the church. You do your best to warn them. They are fond of each other, and he respects her faith, let us say. It is better to marry them rather let them leave and he senses the cruelty of the church. You come to the point where you do marry them. Does that set a precedent? Yes, it does, but in other areas we do this. We accept a gradation in conduct. Undoubtedly you should marry only in the Lord, but it is not an excommunicable offence.

Outline

Purpose

Introduction

1 Corinthians 7:39 Commentary and Bible Study