Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 7:12–14

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1 Corinthians 7:12–14

From the Confessions: The Defense of the Augsburg Confession

Concerning the Marriage of Priests 

Likewise, the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, etc. (1 Cor 7:14). That is, marriage is permitted and holy on account of faith in Christ, just as it is permitted to eat meat, etc.

Pulling It Together: Even if one partner in a marriage is not Christian, marriage remains holy. Its sanctity depends upon God’s word, not upon one person’s beliefs. Even so, it is often the case that the wife’s or husband’s example leads the husband or wife to faith in Christ. But the main point here is that marriage remains a holy estate even if one person is not a believer—not because of the beliefs of the person, but because of the God who ordains marriage. If God has joined two people in marriage, as he most certainly does, then marriage is pure and holy because of God. Furthermore, the unbelieving spouse has been set apart (which is the meaning of being holy) to live within a Christian sphere of influence.

Prayer: Use believing husbands and wives, Lord, to lead their spouses to faith in Christ. Amen.

500th Anniversary – The Reformation is a collection and summary of some of the key documents of the Reformation. Assembled and edited by the Rev. Jeffray Greene for the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation in 2017, it is meant to be a reference-resource for congregations and study groups, to familiarize laity with the scope and contents of these important texts. (The length of this book was kept brief, to allow congregations to make it available to people at a reasonable price.)


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