Scripture to Read: 1 Corinthians 7:10–11
God had Paul give a specific word to the married couples, as we read in 1 Corinthians 7:10–11, “But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband 11 (but if she does leave, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not divorce his wife.” The Lord had Paul get specific with the married couples. God wants every married couple to understand that He commands every wife to never leave her husband, and if she does, she is to remain single or go back to her husband and be reconciled with him. God also commands husbands to never leave their wives. This is so important to God because the husband/wife relationship is a beautiful picture of Christ and His church. God lays out this picture in Ephesians 5:22–33. God had Paul write in Ephesians 5:22–23, “Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.” Then, God had Paul write in Ephesians 5:25–26, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.” So, husbands must love their wives as Christ loves His church, and wives must submit to their husbands as the church also submits to Christ.
Challenge & Application
Why is it so important for married couples to understand God’s commands regarding being a husband and wife?
How have you seen marriage modeled in a way that God has commanded?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!