(Deuteronomy 21:10-16; 1 Corinth. 7: 12-16)
Many christains are in the opinion that the Bible condemned the marriage of a christain and an unbeliever; and pronounced it as sinful relationship. While the Old Testament of the Bible expressly forbad the Israelites from marrying from other foreign tribes (Deuteronomy 7:3, Ezra 9:12, Nehemiah 10:30). Such express command is not seen in the New Testament, which is widely believed to be the law that is in force in this christian age.
But, there are some passages in the New Testament that are generally referred to, in support of the fact that it is sinful for a christian to marry an unbeliever. Some of these Bible passages will be carefully reviewed below (James 4:4; 2 Corinth. 6:14-17 and 1 Corinthians 7: 39) .
James 4:4
One of the passages used is; “Know ye not that the friendship of the world is an enmity with God?” Also 1 John 2:15.
The term world here is to be understood as the people, in contrast with the world itself (Colossians 2:8; 1 Corinthians 3:19). The friendship with the world is the love for the rule of conduct, the gratifications, the achievements, the amusements; which are different from those found in the church of God. It comprises having our hearts set on conforming to them and making them the main object of pursuits, in contrast with pursuing the things of God. That is, having an immoderate love for the things of the world, a prevailing desire for immoral things and a delight in the company and conversation of the people of the world.
Though, having company with the people of the world is something that cannot be avoided, this also include marriage, if necessary (1 Corinthians 5:9-10 - I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world…).
In our associations, we are to stay away from those things that are against the word of God.
All associations, like classmates, club-mates, living with unbelieving family; marketing, marriage, and so on; have the potential to draw the christain away from God. But that does not mean been in such association is sinful; as long as one can maintain the path of God.
2 Corinthians 6:14-17
Also, another passage that is used to show that marriage with unbeliever is sinful is; "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers (liking to Deuteronomy 22:10)
This is not to forbid association and conversation with the civil society or with unbelievers; which is impracticable (..then believers must need to go out of the world... -1 Corinthians 5:9-10). Many natural and civil relations existing among men are absolutely necessary; especially when there is an opportunity of conversion towards God.
The passage above is not to be understood as barring christians from entering into marriages with unbelievers; since Paul himself see such marriages as lawful before God (1 Corinth. 7: 12-16).
Although believers are to be careful with such associations, as oftentimes they are exposed to many temptations that accompany such unions. But lawfully, there is nothing in the context that lead to the interpretation of a marriage between a christain and an unbeliever to be sinful. The words are general dissuasion from having fellowship with unbelievers in something sinful or criminal.
This is seen in the command that followed, for those that are already in such association; Paul said in verse 17 of the same chapter that they should; “Come out from them and be separate” (2 Corinth. 6:14-17).
Thus, if the passage is absolutely talking of marriage to unbeliever, the marriage is to be dissolved by this statement by Paul; who said; “and be separated”.
But, the same Paul, in the following chapter encouraged the christians to stay in the union of a christian and an unbeliever. “If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him.” -1 Corinth. 7: 12-16.
If such union is a sin before God, then those in it would be living in sin; and normally, the command will be that they must leave such union.
But the Bible also see such union as a means of converting your unbelieving partner to God (How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? -1 Corinth. 7:16. ..& .."Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives" - 1 Peter 3:1).
1 Corinthians 7: 39
Lastly, one of the passages that is generally used to advance the notion that a christain cannot marry an unbeliever is 1 Corinthians 7: 39 – “A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord”.
Here many see the woman referred to here as an unmarried person, after the loss of her husband; in which the passage said that she should be married, only in the Lord. Thus, many feel that the command can be referred to all unmarried christians to marry within the church.
But, it should be noted that before Paul wrote that verse, he had already make a distinction between unmarried persons and the widows. This is found in the preceding verse; 1 Corinthians 7:8 – “Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do”.
Thus, he was specifically referring to the widows in verse 39; and not all unmarried christains.
Conclusively, marriage between a christain and an unbeliever is not a sin before God; as according to Paul, “…the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband” (1 Corinthians 7:12-16; 1 Peter 3:1).
While marriages between christains and unbelievers have the potential of leading a partner away from God; they also have the potential of leading a partner to God; thus, care must be exercise in our choice.
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