Covenant Reformed News – July 2006, Volume XI, Issue 3
This article from Covenant Reformed News provides a detailed exegetical analysis of 1 Corinthians 7:15 concerning desertion by an unbelieving spouse, arguing against the view that such desertion permits remarriage. The author uses systematic biblical reasoning and cross-references to Matthew 5:32 and other passages to defend the position that desertion does not dissolve the marriage bond, offering a Reformed interpretation of a challenging biblical text on divorce and remarriage.
Desertion (1) I Corinthians 7:15 speaks of the wilful, physical desertion of a believer by his or her unbelieving spouse: “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.” Many argue that “not under bondage” means that the deserted believer is no longer married and so is free to remarry. However, there are insuperable problems with this view. First, the text says nothing about remarriage, as such....