Vol.II No.IV Pg.7
May 1965

Queries And Answers

Robert F. Turner

Bro. Turner:

A sister claims a scriptural right for her divorce and remarriage on the grounds of 1CO.7:39. As a widow (member of church) she was unaware of this passage, and so married a non-Christian. Later she read the passage, realized she had done wrongly; so divorced this non-Christian, and married a Christian. Please comment.

Reply:

Will wonders never cease -- and -- it is just possible that there aren't two Christians in this last marriage.

Accepting the woman's statement at face value -- and that isn't easy -- we must still question her conclusion.

Immorality is not the issue at stake in the qualification "only in the Lord" Paul is concerned with unequal yoking, that would hinder the Christian in his or her service to God. Earlier in the chapter (1CO.7:10-15) he recognizes this problem (even in a first marriage) but says that if the unbeliever "be pleased to dwell with" the Christian, "let him not put her away" -- "let her not leave him". And in 1CO.7:11, Paul says, "But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried.

Under the trying circumstances of the times Paul recommended that the unmarried Corinthians remain unmarried, (1CO.7:26-35) "that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction". But even here he says it is better to marry than to burn with lust (1CO.7:1-9). It is absurd to conclude that Paul would sanction divorce and remarriage on the part of the widow who married a non-Christian, when he had already said that even if differences in religion brought about separation, the parties should remain single.

Two wrongs can't make a right!!! Dear Sir:

The eunuch (ACT.8:30-f) couldn't understand the scriptures "except some man should guide me". Doesn't this prove that individuals can not understand the Bible today, but must look to the church leaders for guidance?

Reply:

It was the fulfillment of the prophesy that the eunuch could not see. Until the New Testament was given the Old could only prepare and point toward Christ -- it did not reveal Him.

The mystery of the gospel -- i.e., the unrevealed truths, were unveiled by the Holy Spirit to inspired men; (see 1CO.2:6-13; EPH.3:2-7) and we who have the Old and New Testaments have this information, and no clergy or "church authority" is necessary.

What the inspired man Phillip did for the eunuch -- telling him about Jesus, and showing him how Jesus fulfilled prophesy and made salvation available to all man-kind -- the written New Testament (including ACT.8:) does for us.

Of course a Bible scholar may help others to understand -- "teaching others" (2TI.2:2); but our faith comes by God's word, not by man (ROM.10:17).