Divorce and remarriage

1 Corinthians 7:10–16 (NIV) — 10 To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. 11 But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): 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. 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. 15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

What about divorce and remarriage? This has been a pertinent issue all down through the ages. The law was given to Israel through Moses. It was discussed by the prophets. Jesus addressed the issue. Paul talks about it here. And it remains a question today.

What does Paul lay down as the general rules for marriage (v. 10-11)? It should be noted that this is not the full teaching on marriage and divorce. But it is God’s plan for marriage.

What is the plan if a believer has a non-believing spouse (v. 12-13)?

But what if the unbeliever wants out of the marriage (v. 15)?

God has called us to live in peace. How does this maxim inform us on how we are to relate to our spouses, believing or not?

What other reason does Paul give for a believer to remain married to an unbeliever (v. 16)?