The Greek word for "bondage" in 1 Cor. 7:15

Jesus’ Law on Marriage

We conclude our study of divorce and remarriage with this final false doctrine:

6) BASED UPON 1 COR. 7:15, IF A BELIEVER IS DESERTED BY AN UNBELIEVING MATE, THE BELIEVER IS FREE TO REMARRY.  The verse reads, “But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God hath called us to peace.”  It is argued that Paul is stating further revelation on the subject of divorce and remarriage, and here gives an additional exception to the one mentioned in Matt. 19:9

We agree that the apostles, through the Holy Spirit, revealed many things that Jesus had not previously made known (exactly as promised in John 16:12,13).  But nothing revealed to the apostles by the Spirit could be at contradiction with what Jesus personally taught.  Jesus taught there was only one exception for divorce and remarriage.  If Paul’s statement means that there are really two exceptions, then we have a contradiction.

Actually, the Greek word for “bondage” in 1 Cor. 7:15, though found 133 times in the New Testament, is never used with reference to the marriage bond.  A different word is used of the marriage bond (see 1 Cor. 7:27,19)  The “bondage” referred to in 7:15 has to do with the obligations of a Christian to his/her mate.  If that unbelieving mate chooses to leave, the Christian is unable to perform those obligations, but in such cases he/she is “not under bondage” to do the impossible.

The Lord’s teaching on divorce and remarriage is plain.  Let us have the faith and determination to apply it fairly in every situation.

- by Greg Gwin