1 Corinthians 7:14

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Joidevivre

Senior Member
Jul 15, 2014
3,838
271
83
#3
You will get many different interpretations regarding this. I tend to think that Paul is encouraging people to remain married to an unbelieving spouse because the righteous faith of the believer makes the marriage holy. In the concepts of the OT, the entire family is in covenant with God. Therefore, the children of even one believing parent are set apart for God.


Since the word "sanctified" means set apart, it has been interpreted in different ways regarding this verse. Some say the unbelieving spouse will be "declared holy", some will say "set apart for God's use", some say "made pure". There is some mystery here. But the main focus here is that through the believing partner's faith, the spouse is in a different position before God.
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
24,999
13,008
113
58
#4
You will get many different interpretations regarding this. I tend to think that Paul is encouraging people to remain married to an unbelieving spouse because the righteous faith of the believer makes the marriage holy. In the concepts of the OT, the entire family is in covenant with God. Therefore, the children of even one believing parent are set apart for God.

Since the word "sanctified" means set apart, it has been interpreted in different ways regarding this verse. Some say the unbelieving spouse will be "declared holy", some will say "set apart for God's use", some say "made pure". There is some mystery here. But the main focus here is that through the believing partner's faith, the spouse is in a different position before God.
You brought up some good points. The word translated "sanctified" (which is a term often applied to Christians; is the verb form of the adjective "holy") which means "set apart," but doesn't necessarily refer to salvation.

In 1 Corinthians 7:14, Paul uses it to specifically refer to non-Christians who are "sanctified" or "set apart" by their believing spouse. (And by this Paul does not mean that the unbelieving spouse is saved).

A non-Christian can be "set apart" without experiencing salvation as Paul clearly explained. So the word "sanctified" means to be "set apart." If we give the word "sanctified" a broad brushed definition of "saved," then we would have to say that the Sabbath was saved (Genesis 2:3), the tabernacle was saved (Exodus 29:43), the Lord was saved (Leviticus 10:3), the Father saved the Son (John 10:36) and many other things that just do not line up with scripture.

The unbelieving spouse is not saved by the association with the believing spouse, but they do come under the believing spouse's Christian influence and may be more likely to be saved under a course of time, which goes for the children as well.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
16,536
3,502
113
#5
You brought up some good points. The word translated "sanctified" (which is a term often applied to Christians; is the verb form of the adjective "holy") which means "set apart," but doesn't necessarily refer to salvation.

In 1 Corinthians 7:14, Paul uses it to specifically refer to non-Christians who are "sanctified" or "set apart" by their believing spouse. (And by this Paul does not mean that the unbelieving spouse is saved).

A non-Christian can be "set apart" without experiencing salvation as Paul clearly explained. So the word "sanctified" means to be "set apart." If we give the word "sanctified" a broad brushed definition of "saved," then we would have to say that the Sabbath was saved (Genesis 2:3), the tabernacle was saved (Exodus 29:43), the Lord was saved (Leviticus 10:3), the Father saved the Son (John 10:36) and many other things that just do not line up with scripture.

The unbelieving spouse is not saved by the association with the believing spouse, but they do come under the believing spouse's Christian influence and may be more likely to be saved under a course of time, which goes for the children as well.
Good thoughts. Yes, notice Paul did not say “Saved”, but “Sanctified” (set apart). The marriage is clean if they are saved. The marriage is honored for the sake of the saved person (Heb. 13:4).
 
Jun 6, 2015
171
0
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#6
What precisely are you wanting to know?
The word sanctify in Greek is hagiazoo and it means sacred or Holly, to separate from things profane, to dedicate to God, free from guilt of sin. God bless
 
O

OtherWay210

Guest
#7
Reply to FlyingDove's Question

1 Corinthians 7:14
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

Children are mentioned in that verse for a reason . For example:
a unbelieving husband is sanctified in the Christian wife ; IF the children are raised in Gods Words as Christians .


If however, the Husband does Not permit the children to be raised knowing God; that is when the problem arises .



1 Corinthians

7:15 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.

A Christian brother or sister is not in bondage to this world nor should they be; given Christ has set us free.
If the situation cannot be reconciled, then depart means divorce. We're not to put up with it as believers .
Raise a family with someone who won't hinder children from learning about their Heavenly Father .



16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

Ideally you want to be clear with your faith and whats in the best interest as a Christian . But if didn't want divorce because you still love them , theres no way to know if your efforts or going to pay off.

At the end of the day God is who matters. And if you allow a non-believer to hinder your faith or raise your kids as Christians ; or whatever the case , they may drag you down with them .





 
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FlyingDove

Senior Member
Dec 27, 2017
1,259
431
83
#8
1 Corinthians 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

Point 1: sanctified & saved are not the same thing; nor are they interchangeable.

God sanctified (set apart) the whole Nation of Israel. This does not mean every person was automatically saved.

Chapter context of 1 Cor 7:14 is marriage, divorce, the children & their sanctification ""Not Salvation"".

This epistle's is written believers. Although most in Corinth were gentile. Paul is also speaking here in 1 cor 7:14 to Jewish converts. That had been deeply steeped in Mosaic Law.

OT covenant laws were clear. Don't intermarry with the heathen/gentiles. Your offspring would be, unclean, outside covenant seals. (Deut 7:3-4)

The main context is speaking about the children of a marriage between a believer & an unbeliever. The Apostle is teaching the Jewish converts.

That the New Covenant believers Faith supersedes the unbelievers lack there of.

Chapter context key: """Else were your children unclean""" (1 Cor 7:14)

The unbelieving husband or wife IS NOT SAVED through the Believing partner. However, the children are sanctified and covered by/through the Believing parents Faith. The covering is dissolved when the child is old enough to choose for themselves.

At this point the child like everyone else (including the unsaved spouse) are saved only by:

Placing their FAITH in the Redemptive, Sin Atoning Death, Burial & Resurrection of Jesus the Christ.

Additional scripture support:

Romans 11:16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

Matt 10:5 Messiah sent forth the 12 & commanded them. To not go the Gentiles or into any city of the Samaritans
(NOTE: Gentiles were outside of covenant seals. The Samaritans were Jews that had inter-married. This was forbidden under Mosaic law. They were seen a half-breeds. Also, living outside covenant seals & considered unclean same as gentiles).

The 2nd message here is: The marriage relation, through the BELIEVING spouse is sanctified so that there is no need of a divorce. If either husband or wife is a believer and the other agrees to remain, the marriage is sanctified and the unbelieved need not be set aside.

A great scripture example is Timothy:

Acts 16:1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:

Timothy's mother was Jewish his father a Greek/gentile.
 
R

Ralph-

Guest
#9
A believer is not made unclean by association with an unbelieving spouse and their children as one is normally made unclean and defiled by inappropriate association with unbelievers as Paul says here....


Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[SUP]b[/SUP] ? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will live with them
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be my people.”[SUP]c[/SUP]

17Therefore,
Come out from them
and be separate, says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-17



God 'sanctifying' the unbelieving spouse and your kids makes it so you are not guilty of not being separate from and inappropriately associating with uncleanness. They are 'set apart for you as clean' (sanctified) by virtue of you being married to them when you got saved.

Don't divorce them because they are unclean and forbidden for you to be together with. God declares them clean for you. Stay with them. God will still 'receive you' even though, technically, you are touching the unclean thing.
 

FlyingDove

Senior Member
Dec 27, 2017
1,259
431
83
#10
A believer is not made unclean by association with an unbelieving spouse and their children as one is normally made unclean and defiled by inappropriate association with unbelievers as Paul says here....

Hello Ralph, Post doesn't say a believer, unbeliever or the children are made unclean by association:

1 Corinthians 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

Point 1: sanctified & saved are not the same thing; nor are they interchangeable.

God sanctified (set apart) the whole Nation of Israel. This does not mean every person was automatically saved.

Chapter context of 1 Cor 7:14 is marriage, divorce, the children & their sanctification ""Not Salvation"".

This epistle's is written believers. Although most in Corinth were gentile. Paul is also speaking here in 1 cor 7:14 to Jewish converts. That had been deeply steeped in Mosaic Law.

OT covenant laws were clear. Don't intermarry with the heathen/gentiles. Your offspring would be, unclean, outside covenant seals. (Deut 7:3-4)

The main context is speaking about the children of a marriage between a believer & an unbeliever. The Apostle is teaching the Jewish converts.

That the New Covenant believers Faith supersedes the unbelievers lack there of.

Chapter context key: """Else were your children unclean""" (1 Cor 7:14)

The unbelieving husband or wife IS NOT SAVED through the Believing partner. However, the children are sanctified and covered by/through the Believing parents Faith. The covering is dissolved when the child is old enough to choose for themselves.

At this point the child like everyone else (including the unsaved spouse) are saved only by:

Placing their FAITH in the Redemptive, Sin Atoning Death, Burial & Resurrection of Jesus the Christ.

Additional scripture support:

Romans 11:16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

Matt 10:5 Messiah sent forth the 12 & commanded them. To not go the Gentiles or into any city of the Samaritans
(NOTE: Gentiles were outside of covenant seals. The Samaritans were Jews that had inter-married. This was forbidden under Mosaic law. They were seen a half-breeds. Also, living outside covenant seals & considered unclean same as gentiles).

The 2nd message here is: The marriage relation, through the BELIEVING spouse is sanctified so that there is no need of a divorce. If either husband or wife is a believer and the other agrees to remain, the marriage is sanctified and the unbelieved need not be set aside.

A great scripture example is Timothy:

Acts 16:1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:

Timothy's mother was Jewish his father a Greek/gentile.
 
R

Ralph-

Guest
#11
Hello Ralph, Post doesn't say a believer, unbeliever or the children are made unclean by association:

1 Corinthians 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

Point 1: sanctified & saved are not the same thing; nor are they interchangeable.

God sanctified (set apart) the whole Nation of Israel. This does not mean every person was automatically saved.

Chapter context of 1 Cor 7:14 is marriage, divorce, the children & their sanctification ""Not Salvation"".

This epistle's is written believers. Although most in Corinth were gentile. Paul is also speaking here in 1 cor 7:14 to Jewish converts. That had been deeply steeped in Mosaic Law.

OT covenant laws were clear. Don't intermarry with the heathen/gentiles. Your offspring would be, unclean, outside covenant seals. (Deut 7:3-4)

The main context is speaking about the children of a marriage between a believer & an unbeliever. The Apostle is teaching the Jewish converts.

That the New Covenant believers Faith supersedes the unbelievers lack there of.

Chapter context key: """Else were your children unclean""" (1 Cor 7:14)

The unbelieving husband or wife IS NOT SAVED through the Believing partner. However, the children are sanctified and covered by/through the Believing parents Faith. The covering is dissolved when the child is old enough to choose for themselves.

At this point the child like everyone else (including the unsaved spouse) are saved only by:

Placing their FAITH in the Redemptive, Sin Atoning Death, Burial & Resurrection of Jesus the Christ.

Additional scripture support:

Romans 11:16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

Matt 10:5 Messiah sent forth the 12 & commanded them. To not go the Gentiles or into any city of the Samaritans
(NOTE: Gentiles were outside of covenant seals. The Samaritans were Jews that had inter-married. This was forbidden under Mosaic law. They were seen a half-breeds. Also, living outside covenant seals & considered unclean same as gentiles).

The 2nd message here is: The marriage relation, through the BELIEVING spouse is sanctified so that there is no need of a divorce. If either husband or wife is a believer and the other agrees to remain, the marriage is sanctified and the unbelieved need not be set aside.

A great scripture example is Timothy:

Acts 16:1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:

Timothy's mother was Jewish his father a Greek/gentile.
All we have to know is 'sanctified' here has nothing to do either way with the relationship to God of the unbelieving spouse and kids.

The point is, we are not made unclean by having an unbelieving spouse when we get saved. God declares your spouse and your kids clean in that situation. You are not defiled by them and cut off from fellowship with God because of your relationship with them. God declares them clean for contact by reason of you being married to them.
 
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FlyingDove

Senior Member
Dec 27, 2017
1,259
431
83
#12
All we have to know is 'sanctified' here has nothing to do either way with the relationship to God of the unbelieving spouse and kids.

The point is, we are not made unclean by having an unbelieving spouse when we get saved. God declares your spouse and your kids clean in that situation. You are not defiled by them and cut off from fellowship with God because of your relationship with them. God declares them clean for contact by reason of you being married to them =QUOTE].

Hi, Ralph, Post makes "NO" claim a believer, unbeliever or the children are made unclean by association:

1 Corinthians 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

Point 1: sanctified & saved are not the same thing; nor are they interchangeable.

God sanctified (set apart) the whole Nation of Israel. This does not mean every person was automatically saved.

Chapter context of 1 Cor 7:14 is marriage, divorce, the children & their sanctification ""Not Salvation"".

This epistle's is written believers. Although most in Corinth were gentile. Paul is also speaking here in 1 cor 7:14 to Jewish converts. That had been deeply steeped in Mosaic Law.

OT covenant laws were clear. Don't intermarry with the heathen/gentiles. Your offspring would be, unclean, outside covenant seals. (Deut 7:3-4)

The main context is speaking about the children of a marriage between a believer & an unbeliever. The Apostle is teaching the Jewish converts.

That the New Covenant believers Faith supersedes the unbelievers lack there of.

Chapter context key: """Else were your children unclean""" (1 Cor 7:14)

The unbelieving husband or wife IS NOT SAVED through the Believing partner. However, the children are sanctified and covered by/through the Believing parents Faith. The covering is dissolved when the child is old enough to choose for themselves.

At this point the child like everyone else (including the unsaved spouse) are saved only by:

Placing their FAITH in the Redemptive, Sin Atoning Death, Burial & Resurrection of Jesus the Christ.

Additional scripture support:

Romans 11:16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

Matt 10:5 Messiah sent forth the 12 & commanded them. To not go the Gentiles or into any city of the Samaritans
(NOTE: Gentiles were outside of covenant seals. The Samaritans were Jews that had inter-married. This was forbidden under Mosaic law. They were seen a half-breeds. Also, living outside covenant seals & considered unclean same as gentiles).

The 2nd message here is: The marriage relation, through the BELIEVING spouse is sanctified so that there is no need of a divorce. If either husband or wife is a believer and the other agrees to remain, the marriage is sanctified and the unbelieved need not be set aside.

A great scripture example is Timothy:

Acts 16:1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:

Timothy's mother was Jewish his father a Greek/gentile.
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
#13
Point 1: sanctified & saved are not the same thing; nor are they interchangeable
Great point. Its like Mount Sinai was set aside as holy but the lifeless spiritless dust was no different on the mountain on the other side of the valley . God never becomes a part of that which he creates. He has no beginning He is not a man as us.

That in which we do see with our eyes never becomes a source of the unseen faith .What we are is not what we will be when we receive the goal of our faith our new incorruptible bodies.

I think it why gives us the prescription below

We walk by his faith according to His labor of love and that not of ourselves it works in us to both will and do His god pleasure faith.

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.2Co 4:16
 

MarcR

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2015
5,486
183
63
#14
When a married person comes to faith, God begins working in the spouse to bring him/her to Christ; and relates to the children as if they come from a household of faith.
 
O

OtherWay210

Guest
#15
you people are all over the place. you're even bringing in words and concepts not directly nor indirectly addressed in the passages.
Why ask a question about a verse,if you're talking about something totally unrelated to the verse ?
Working in salvation, Jews, being clean or unclean, Israel, getting caught up and distracted by simple definitions ; everything under the sun, except what the passage is teaching .

Odd...
 
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OtherWay210

Guest
#16
A Christian will set apart the children for God, naturally to raise them in the faith. Simple.
They even add in a conflict scenario if the Non believer; hinders that effort, naturally divorce might result . Which is being ignore in-order to make egotistical comments, unrelated to the passage . We should not assume or add in a different narrative, to fit our talking points. Just allow the passage to teach without assumptions .

Maybe rephrase the question to reflect what you were really thinking, but this verse doesn't seem to be the focus .
 
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Shamah

Senior Member
Jan 6, 2018
2,735
692
113
#17
Paul says:

2 Corinthians 6:14-15, “Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness and lawlessness? And what fellowship has light with darkness? And what agreement has Messiah with Beliya‛al? Or what part does a believer have with an unbeliever?”

Paul also says:

1 Corinthians 7:14
For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.


YHWH says:

Deuteronomy 7:2-4, "7:2, "“And when יהוה your Elohim gives them over to you, you shall strike them and put them under the ban, completely. Make no covenant with them, and show them no favour."7:3, "“And do not intermarry with them – you do not give your daughter to his son, and you do not take his daughter for your son,"7:4, "for he turns your sons away from following Me, to serve other mighty ones. Then the displeasure of יהוה shall burn against you and promptly destroy you."
 
O

OtherWay210

Guest
#18
Generally speaking I guess we all have preconceived notions, or biblical ideas in mind but, we're trying to reconcile those beliefs with others .

The Bibles not in conflict with itself, but it could seem that way if we're missing scriptures. Im not saying i know any better.

The concern for me is people then start reaching for every and anything until crumbs start to form and cluster, until a new doctrine is born ..Was thinking about it reading a different thread, maybe i should have just commented on the other thread.

Looking up scriptures were theses words ares used, helps me better define what we're talking about .


Concerning the kids being unclean , and how they are sanctified, its meant to contrast each other . The action of their being sanctified, is not merely because the parents are married, but the efforts of the believer to raise the children, and the household including the Non believing spouse ; is what brings about their sanctification .

sanctification ; can be thought of like setting aside one for dedication to God. So they'd be raised in the faith .

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Its done through the teaching of the Truth .


Another verse to consider

Act 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.



 
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nddreamer

Senior Member
Aug 31, 2017
142
4
18
#19
To me, this verse is more about the children than the parents. The children are blessed through the believing parent. In the eyes of God, the unbelieving parent is reckoned as a believer through the faith of the believer. So that family is altogether blessed and the children are both clean and holy.
The unbelieving parent can be altogether unworthy but the believing parent cancels that out through his or her faith and trust in God. So God is saying to the believing parent in such a family not to worry. He is saying his or her children will be blessed.
In 1 Cor. 7:16, the believing husband or wife may even bring salvation to the other through their faith.
 
Sep 14, 2017
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#20
I think we need to look at all the context involved in the teaching of marriage. Paul says NOT to divorce an unbelieving spouse if they want to stay. What we see here is the sanctification of the marriage covenant, not the sanctification of the New Covenant. God still accepts the unbeliever as sanctified in the marriage covenant, in other words, still legally married in His eyes, & still bound to keep that marriage covenant. The children are NOT to be looked upon as illegitimate, but still legitimate in God's eyes as the marriage covenant is still in force. Because the believer is not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers, this exception had to be taught, otherwise the unbelieving spouse & children would be unequally yoked & a separation would have to take place.

The words "sanctified" & "holy" here is speaking of God's covenant of marriage, meaning set aside for marriage & acceptable before God.

This is for a newly saved believer in an unsaved family, not a christian marrying a sinner.
 
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