And Such Were Some Of You

Not too long ago I saw an internet article make the assertion from I Corinthians 6:11 (“and such were some of you”) that adulterous marriages were made legitimate by the couple becoming Christians. The reasoning is that since they were no longer adulterers, the marriage must have changed to being holy by God at their baptism. But that is the exact opposite of the truth. The reason they were no longer adulterers in I Corinthians 6:11 is because they had repented (leading up to their baptism – Acts 2:38, 3:19) and quit committing adultery. To say I am sorry for my adultery but stay in an adulterous marriage (keep on committing adultery with a second wife) would be no better than a homosexual saying he is sorry but staying in a gay marriage.

And let’s see how this internet article’s reasoning would work with some of the other sins in I Corinthians 6:9-11: A man who shacks up with a woman is committing fornication with her. According to this reasoning, he could become a Christian, be forgiven, and all the while keep living outside marriage with his woman. An idolator could keep worshipping idols as long as he became a Christian. The sin would be made legitimate at conversion. A thief could keep on stealing as long as he became a Christian (was sanctified, forgiven). A drunkard could keep on getting drunk once he was saved (washed). And so on.

Keep in mind two old covenant illustrations: Herod and Herodias were in an unscriptural marriage (under their covenant) and John demanded they terminate their marriage (Mark 6:17-18); am I right? You’ll find the same (but for a different reason) in Ezra 10:10-11.

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