1 Corinthians 7:39,40

Introduction

1. This passage is a difficult and there have been several intepretations of it.

2. This study will take a look of some of the interpretations.

Interpretation 1 - A widow must marry only a Christian

1. This verse clearly sets forth that a wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. (1 Cor. 7:39; Rom. 7:1-4).

• This verse sets forth the ideal state - the general rule.
• It does not take into consideration the two exceptions (7:15; Matt. 19:9; 5:31,32).
• A widow is free to remarry. See l Tim. 5:14.
• She is permitted to marry "only in the Lord."

2. The words "in the Lord" usually denote a Christian - one who is in union with Christ. (Phil. 3:1, 4:4; Eph. 6:1,10; 1 Cor. 15:58; Col. 3:18,20).

3. The words can have the meaning of "according to God's plan or design, by divine appointment, as the Lord directs." (l Cor. 11:11.). See Interpretation 2

4. What is the meaning of the words here?

5. Most think it is a periphrasis (use of many words when one or a few words would do) meaning "Christian."

6. They contend that a widow must marry a Christian who is free to marry.

• "So long as he is a Christian" - Gspd.
• "Provided the marriage is within the Lord's fellowship" - NEB
• "Except he must be a Christian" - Wms
• "But he must belong to the Lord" - NIV

7. Many extend this to refer to Christian widowers, but this extension is not commanded or implied by this verse.

8. They contend the Greek word "monos" is used here as an adjective and modifies the words "to whom."

• Adjectives modify nouns, pronouns, and adjectives.
• The man the Christian widow marries must be "in the Lord" (a Christian).
• Some try to extend this commandment to all Christian women. (1) Those who have never married. (2) Those who are divorced, and are free to remarry. (3) Those deserted by unbelieving mate, and are free toremarry.
• Some try to extend this command to all women.

1) There is no evidence unbelieving widows were bound by this commandment.

2) This would mean that the unbelieving widow must marry a Christian.

• If the widow is to marry a Christian, why is not the same requirement placed upon a young female saint who is marrying for the first time?

• If the widow is to marry only a Christian, why is not the same requirement placed upon a woman is has been divorced, but is free to remarry?

• If the widow is to marry only a Christian, why is not the same requirement placed upon the Christian man or woman who has been deserted by their unbelieving mate?

• If the widow is to marry only a Christian, why is not the same requirement placed upon the Christian widower or the Christian male who is marrying for the first time?

• These questions do not disprove Interpretation 1, but they do make one wonder why this restraint would be placed only on Christian widows and none other.

Interpretation 2 - A few expositors hold this verse means to marry only as the Lord directs.

1. The words "in the Lord" can mean "according to God's plan or design, by divine appointment, as the Lord directs." (1 Cor. 11:11; Col. 3:18). Thayer, p. 418; Vine, Vol. III, p. 139.

• "But from the Lord's point of view" - Wms.

• "Nevertheless, in <the plan of> the Lord and from His point of view" - Amp.

2. It is argued that it is not fair to require the Christian widow to marry a Christian when this is not required of others.

• Christian men in general
  

• Christian widowers.
  

• Christian divorced men free to remarry.
  

• Christian women in general
  

• Christian divorced women free to remarry.

3. They interpret the words "in the Lord" to mean this.

• She must not marry an unscripturally divorced person.
  

• She must not marry someone married to another.
  

• She must consider the danger of mixed marriages. (2 Cor. 6:14.).

4. They point out that the Greek word "monos" can be used as an adverb or adjective.

• The masculine form of the word is used as a adjective meaning "only" or "alone". (Matt. 4:4; 21:21; 4:10;17:8; 1 Cor. 9:6; 14:36; Phil. 4:15; Col. 4:11; 2 Jno. 1; Jno. 5:44; 17:3; Rom. 16:17; l Tim. 1:17; 6:15,16; Jude 4,5; Rev. 15:4).

• The neuter form of the word "monon" is used as an adverb meaning "only." (Matt. 5:47; 8:8; John 5:18; 11:52; 12:9; 13:9).

5. It is affirmed that the word "monon" would more naturally be used as an adverb since it appears in the Greek text after the words "to be married."

• Adverbs modify adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs.
  

• Lit. "free she is to whom she wishes to be married, only in Lord."

6. Some translations favor this view.

• "Only in a Christian way" - Ber.
  

• "Let her be guided by the Lord" - Phillips.

Interpretation 3 - Some hold the view that this verse means that a widow must remain a Christian and rememeber her Christian duties.

1. Very few expositors hold this view, but itis the view than present fewer problems and fits the whole of the New Testament.

2. The word "only" is used as adjective and modifies "she" rather than "to whom."

3. It would mean that the widow was free to marry whoever she wishes (assuming he was free to marry), but she must remain a Christian and remember her Christian duties and responsibilities when she takes such a step.

• This interpretation understand the words "in the Lord" to refer to the Christian widow.

• The words could mean she is to be guided by the Lord in marriage. This is the same basic idea of Interpretation 2.

4. The widow who listened to this admonition most likely would be led to marry a faithful Christian who would help her get to heaven.

5. The words "in the Lord" elsewhere refer to the person who is being exhorted. (Phil. 3:1, 4:4; Eph. 6:1,10; 1 Cor. 15:58; Col. 3:18, 20).

1. I have always admonished every Christian (including Christian widows to marry a faithful Christian), not just one who has been dipped, and warned of the danger of marrying unbelievers.

2. Serious problems often arise when a Christian marries out of Christ or marries an unfaithful Christian.

3. It is not absolutely certain God has made it a hard and fast law that the Christian widow must marry a Christian.

4. The Christian widow or any other Christian who loves Christ and desires to please Him will think long and hard before they marry one who does not belong to Christ.

5. Serious problems usually arise when one marries outside of Christ.

6. Paul warned against being "unequally yoked" with unbelievers. (2 Cor. 6:14).

• It originally referred to a man mismating or yoking a larger animal to smaller animal. (Deut. 22:10). This was injurious or deadly to smaller animal.

• He was not talking just about marriage.

• He was cautioning the Christian about his relationships with unbelievers in business, friendships, marriage, and in every other relationship.

7. Marriage to unbeliever is dangerous and one can find himself/herself mismated and injured or destroyed by the relationship.

8. This is a warning of the danger of forming intimate and and inconsistent relations with unbelievers.

• This is a warning of danger, but no absolute prohibition.
  

• See 1 Cor. 5:9,10; Mk. 16:15; Gal. 6:10; 1 Cor. 7:12- 15; 1 Pet. 3:1,2.
  

1. What if a father or mother is not a Christian?

2. What is one's child is an unbeliever?

3. What if one's grandparents are unbelievers?

4. What if one's master or employer is an unbeliever?

5. There is no evidence that God does not (1) recognize the marriage of a Christian widow to an non-Christian man (2) or she must separate from him (3) or the congregation where she attends must rebuke, discipline in any way, or withdraw fellowship from her.

9. There is no evidence this marriage was regarded as an adulterous marriage or an inferior marriage or a contaminated marriage.

1. Each of us should continue to study and pray about this matter.

2. It is a subject of great importance and should never be taken lightly.