1 Corinthians 7:12-16

1 Corinthians 7:12-16

[12] But  to the rest  speak  I,  not  the Lord:  brother  hath  a wife  that believeth not,  and  she  be pleased  to dwell  with  him,  not  her  away.  [13] And  the woman  hath  an husband  that believeth not,  and  if he  be pleased  to dwell  with  her,  not  leave  him.  [14] For  the unbelieving  husband  is sanctified  by  the wife,  and  the unbelieving  wife  is sanctified  by  the husband:  else  children  unclean;  but  now  holy.  [15] But  if  the unbelieving  depart,  A brother  or  a sister  not  under bondage  in  such  cases: but  God  hath called  to  peace.  [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? 

What does 1 Corinthians 7:12-16 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

In this situation, too, Paul granted an exception, but the exceptional is not the ideal. He also reiterated his principle of staying in the condition in which one finds himself or herself.
". . . one of the great heathen complaints against Christianity was exactly the complaint that Christianity did break up families and was a disruptive influence in society. "Tampering with domestic relationships" was in fact one of the first charges brought against the Christians." [1]