Sunday Bulletin September 28 2025

Sunday Bulletin September 21, 2025

Sunday Bulletin September 14 2025

Sunday Bulletin September 9 2025

Craig A. Brittingham, Pastor
Hillside Baptist Church
September 28, 2025

“Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage” – 1 Corinthians 7:10-16

1A. Married Christian couples must not divorce (vv. 10-11).
1b. Jesus gave this command during His earthly ministry (Mat. 19:6, Mark 10:9).
1c. The word Jesus used for separate Paul used here, but translated, “depart” (NKJV).
2c. The ESV translated it “separate” in Matthew 19:6 and Mark 10:9, but also in 1 Corinthians 7:10.
3c. The word clearly means divorce in the context of 1 Corinthians 7:10-11.
4c. The word also means to divorce in the teaching of Jesus on the subject (Mat. 19:6, Mark 10:9).
2b. According to this context, Christian couples who divorce have two options – remain unmarried or remarry each other (but see Mat. 5:32, 19:9)

2A. A Christian who is married to an unbeliever must not file for divorce (vv. 12-16).
1b. But if the unbeliever files for divorce, the believer must not fight it.
2b. If the unbeliever departs (divorces), the believer must let him or her depart (vs. 15).
3b. Perhaps, the church asked about this issue because of their concern for the status of the children (vs. 14).
4b. This union may lead to the salvation of the unbeliever.
5b. If an unbeliever divorces a believer, the believer is not under bondage in this case (cf. verse 11).
1c. The believer is no longer bound to the marriage or unbelieving spouse (cf. vv. 27 and 39).
2c. In this case, the believer is free to remarry.

Questions…
1. What does the word depart mean in verses 10, 11, 15?
2. How does the meaning become very clear in verse 11?
3. What command of Jesus was Paul referring to?
4. Why is the term separate problematic for our interpretation of this passage?
5. What exception to the prohibition to divorce and remarriage did Jesus give in Matthew 5:32 and 19:9?
6. What are the two options for a believing couple who divorces?
7. Why might the church have inquired about divorcing an unbelieving spouse?
8. What does it mean that the unbelieving spouse is sanctified by the believing spouse?
9. What does it mean that the believing spouse is not under bondage if the unbeliever divorces him?