Does I Corinthians 7:15 Allow Another Scriptural Cause For Divorce?

Homer Hailey, James Bales, and many others have taught I Corinthians 7:15 permits another scriptural cause for divorce and remarriage (in addition to the plain one in Matthew 19:9). They reason the text is saying the Christian is not under “bondage” when deserted by their spouse, and assert “bondage” here refers to the marriage “bound” – therefore such deserted Christian is free to remarry.

However "bondage" in I Corinthians 7:15 is not from the same Greek word as "bound" (referring to the marriage obligation) in I Corinthians 7:27, 39, and Romans 7:2. Notice the difference in definitions …

bound – to bind, tie, forbid – Englishman’s Greek Concordance

bondage – Acts 7:6, I Corinthians 9:19, Galatians 4:3, II Peter 2:19

· enslaved – English Standard Translation

· enslave – Strong’s, Young’s, Kubo, Englishman’s Greek Concordance

· to make a slave of, reduce to bondage – Thayer

· make someone a slave, … enslave, subject – Bauer

· … make a slave of, to bring into bondage – Vine’s

· to be a slave … to be a slave to another, be subject to, to serve, obey -Liddell and Scott

Note further that if the Greek word translated "bondage" (which occurs in some form 133 times in the New Testament) refers to the marriage bound/obligation in I Corinthians 7:15, it would be the only place in all of scripture where this Greek word refers to the marriage obligation.

In actuality the fact the deserted believer is "not under bondage" is used to support the instructions "let him depart" and "God hath called us to peace," not "you may remarry." Verses 10-15 then are discussing if it’s right to depart (they say nothing about remarriage), so Paul is just saying it is okay to be in a state of separation if the unbeliever leaves you. It’s not your fault.

Ask yourself this question – how could the deserted have a right to remarry when texts like Luke 16:18 show that even if the deserter remarries, the deserted may not remarry? It just doesn’t figure.

Conclusion: Matthew 19:9 proves there is only one exception to God’s no divorce law. So I Corinthians 7:15 cannot be another exception.

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