ANALYSIS OF THE INSPIRATION OF SOME OF SHAUL'S WORDS

Shaul Forbidden By The Spirit

To begin with we should note a case that we have already considered above. How Shaul and those accompanying him had sought to go into Asia, but were FORBIDDEN by the Spirit. For in Acts 16:6 Shaul and his companions had sought to speak the word in Asia, but were forbidden by the Spirit. And in Acts 16:7 they had sought to go into Bithynia, but were disallowed by the Spirit.

Not Everything Shaul Sought To Do Had The Spirit's Approval

It should therefore be evident that even in his work of serving Yah'shuah Shaul sometimes sought to do things that were not in harmony with the will of the Spirit. In other words, NOT EVERYTHING that Shaul sought to do in his service of Yah'shuah the Messiah had the approval or guidance of the Spirit. Some of the things he sought to do had the Spirit's guidance. Other things he sought to do DID NOT have the Spirit's guidance or command. Therefore, in assessing the various works of Shaul, one must try to ascertain whether the various works that he did had the authority of the Spirit's guidance and command. Those that had the authority of the Spirit, such as when he uttered words to the false prophet Elymas, are the Spirit's words. But other conduct, such as when he sought to go and speak the word in Asia and Bithynia, yet without the guidance and command of the Spirit, were his own conduct devoid of the Spirit!

What Words Of Shaul Bind Other Human Beings?

With respect to Shaul's words, the words binding on others are those that he spoke in the Spirit. But words that he did not speak in the Spirit, speaking them on his own authority, do not necessarily bind anyone. They might be heeded if the circumstances are appropriate to his counsel. But if circumstances are not appropriate to his counsel such words of his ought not to be heeded. For words not spoken in the Spirit cannot be accorded the same status as words spoken in the Spirit. For words spoken in the Spirit originate from the Father. But words not spoken in the Spirit do not originate from the Father, and therefore cannot have the same authority as words originating from the Father.

Shaul's Opinions In 1 Corinthians 7

1 Corinthians 7:1-16 reads,

^7:1Now concerning the things about which you wrote to me. It is good for a man not to touch a woman. ^7:2But, because of sexual sins, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. ^7:3Let the husband render to the wife her due, and likewise also the wife to the husband. ^7:4The wife doesn't have authority over her own body, but the husband. Likewise also the husband doesn't have power over his own body, but the wife. ^7:5Don't defraud one another, unless it is by consent for a season, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer, and may be together again, that Hasatan doesn't tempt you because of your lack of self-control. ^7:6But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment. ^7:7Yet I wish that all men were like me. However each man has his own gift from the Mighty One, one of this kind, and another of that kind. ^7:8But I say to the unmarried and to widows, it is good for them if they remain even as I am. ^7:9But if they don't have self-control, let them marry. For it's better to marry than to burn. ^7:10But to the married I command -- not I, but the Master -- that the wife not leave her husband ^7:11(but if she departs, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband not leave his wife. ^7:12But to the rest I -- not the Master -- say, if any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is content to live with him, let him not leave her. ^7:13The woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he is content to live with her, let her not leave her husband. ^7:14For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now are they holy. ^7:15Yet if the unbeliever departs, let there be separation. The brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but the Mighty One has called us in shalom. ^7:16For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

The Assembly At Corinth Sought Shaul's Opinion

It is evident from 7:1 that Shaul's subsequent comments were in response to the matters the assembly at Corinth wrote him and sought HIS OPINION.

One might ask - why did these brethren write to Shaul seeking his opinion? Was it that they valued his opinion? And if so, why?

Shaul Says It Is Good For A Man Not To Have Sex With A Woman

In 7:1 Shaul noted that it was good for a man not to touch a woman. Subsequent verses show that he was talking in the context of a man having sex with a woman. Therefore, Shaul was saying that it was good for a man not to have sex with a woman.

But why would Shaul say that it was good for a man to be sexually abstinent when Yahweh made human beings male and female, and said that his creation was very good? Did not Yahweh command human beings to be fruitful, to multiply, to fill the earth and to subdue it? Did not this command imply that he commanded humans to be sexually active, commanding a man to be sexually active with his wife? So why did Shaul opine that it was good for humans to be sexually abstinent?

Yahweh Commanded Men To Have Sex With Women

Beresheet (Genesis) 1:26-31 reads,

^1:26The Mighty One said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the cattle, and over all the eretz, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the eretz." ^1:27The Mighty One created man in his own image. In the Mighty One's image he created him; male and female he created them. ^1:28The Mighty One blessed them. The Mighty One said to them, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the eretz, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the eretz." ^1:29The Mighty One said, "Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is on the surface of all the eretz, and every tree, which bears fruit yielding seed. It will be your food. ^1:30To every animal of the eretz, and to every bird of the sky, and to everything that creeps on the eretz, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food." And it was so.

^1:31The Mighty One saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. There was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

Yah'shuah Said That Some Humans Should Not Marry

Mattityahu (Matthew) 19:10-12 reads,

^19:10His disciples said to him, "If this is the case of the man with his wife, it is not expedient to marry."

^19:11But he said to them, "Not all men can receive this saying, but they to whom it is given. ^19:12For there are eunuchs, who were born that way from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs, who were made eunuchs by men: and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven's sake. He who is able to receive it, let him receive it."

Yah'shuah's comments in 19:11 show that SOME MEN can receive the saying that he spoke of, those to whom it is given. Implying that NOT ALL men are given to be eunuchs or unmarried, but some indeed are. The ones given to be unmarried, those able to receive what they have been given, SHOULD remain unmarried.

Yahweh's Command That Men Marry Women Is Not A Law

It should therefore be noted that Yahweh's command in Beresheet (Genesis) 1:28, that humans be fruitful and multiply, is a command GENERALLY applicable to human beings, but NOT A LAW applicable to all individual human beings! For if it was a law applicable to all human beings then any human being who did not marry and have sex within marriage would have been violating his law. But it is noted that Yahweh did not give a law commanding all human beings to marry. Neither did he issue a penalty levied against any human being who did not marry. It should therefore be evident that Yahweh's command in Beresheet (Genesis) 1:28 was generally issued to human beings, but was not a law applicable to each human being.

Yah'shuah Did Not Break Yahweh's Law By Not Marrying

Also, by his conduct, Yah'shuah proved the validity of these comments. For Yah'shuah did not marry and did not have sex with a woman. And seeing that Yah'shuah did not sin, thereby not having broken any of his Father's commandments or laws, it is evident that it was not a law that all human beings marry. Implying that those who married were doing well, in that they were complying with Yahweh's general command to human beings. And also implying that those who did not marry were not doing badly, seeing that Yahweh did not prohibit humans from not marrying.

It Is Good For Some Humans To Remain Unmarried

Yah'shuah's comments in 19:11-12 that all humans given the ability to remain unmarried remain so shows that it is indeed good for such humans to remain unmarried. Therefore when Shaul says that it is good for a man not to have sex with a woman, even though he is giving his own opinion, his opinion is found to be agreeable with Yah'shuah's words.

Shaul Stated That Each Man And Each Woman Should Be Married

Nevertheless, despite asserting in 1 Corinthians 7:1 that it is good for a man not to have sex with a woman, Shaul stated in 7:2 that each man should be married and that each woman should be married, because of the existence of sexual sins. In other words, those who are not married are more likely to sin sexually than those who are married. For in their desire to satisfy their sexual desires they will seek someone with whom to have sex with. But having sex while unmarried is sexual sin, for sex is allowed only with one's married partner. Therefore, to avoid sexual sin, Shaul stated that each man and each woman should be married.

But if each man and each woman was married, would not the world become void of unmarried people? And if there were no unmarried people, would it not appear that no human would be fulfilling the goodness that Shaul spoke of in 7:1?

Shaul's Words On Marital Sex Appear To Be Founded On Yahweh's Words

Shaul's comments in 7:3-5 appear to be founded on Shemot (Exodus) 21:10, which reads,

^21:10If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, and her marital rights.

In other words, a man was not to deny any wife of his adequate sex. Even if he married an additional wife, he was not to deny his existing wife or wives adequate sex. Showing that a wife had a legal right to adequate sex from her husband, even as a man had a legal right to obtain adequate sex from any wife of his.

Shaul States That Married People Can Elect To Forego Sex

In 7:5 Shaul introduces the attribute of consent, how each married person can consent to forego his or her sexual right from his or her married partner for a period of time. Seeing that each has a legal right to sex with his or her married partner, each can elect not exercise the legal right they have. And by mutually agreeing not to exercise their legal right to sex with their married partner, they appear to be acting within the provisions of Shemot (Exodus) 21:10.

Shaul Gives A Ground Whereby Married People Can Elect To Forego Sex

In 7:5 Shaul opines that a valid ground for those who are married not exercising their legal right to sex with their married partner is for spending time in fasting and prayer. The law also provided the ground of a husband being required to go to war or other business, thereby being away from his wife for a period of time. This can be seen in Devarim (Deuteronomy) 24:5, which reads,

^24:5When a man takes a new wife, he shall not go out in the host, neither shall he be charged with any business: he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer his wife whom he has taken.

It is therefore evident that there are grounds other than fasting and prayer whereby a man may be away from his wife for a period of time, thereby not having sex with her.

Shaul Stated That He Was Giving His Own Opinion And Not A Commandment

In 7:6 Shaul CLEARLY stated that he was giving his own opinion, and NOT A COMMANDMENT. In other words, the opinion he was giving was of one familiar with the will of the Mighty One. Nevertheless, in this matter that he spoke, he had not received a specific command from the Spirit, and was therefore just giving his opinion based on his understanding of the will of the Mighty One.

Shaul Wished That All Humans Were Unmarried

In 7:7 Shaul stressed his WISH that all men were like he was - unmarried, as 7:8 shows. Nevertheless he recognised that not all humans had this gift of remaining unmarried, for it is a gift that emanates from the Mighty One. And this opinion of Shaul agrees with Yah'shuah's words in Mattityahu (Matthew) 19:11-12.

Shaul Introduces The Aspect Of Self-Control In Remaining Unmarried

In 7:8-9 Shaul states his opinion that it is good for those who are unmarried to remain so, but only if they have self-control. Implying that the gift of self-control is an intrinsic part of the gift of remaining unmarried. Therefore those the Mighty One gives the gift of remaining unmarried he also gives the gift of self-control.

Shaul Understood That Each Individual Had His Or Her Own Gift From The Mighty One

In should be noted from 7:7 that Shaul understood that each individual had his or her own specific gift from the Mighty One. Some are given to remaining unmarried. Some are given to marrying. Each one should abide in the calling or gift one has been given by the Mighty One.

Shaul Restates The Master's Command

In 7:10-11 Shaul changes the status of his writing! Whereas before he was simply giving his opinion, now he was not giving his opinion, but giving the Master's command. For Yah'shuah spoke in like manner in Mattityahu (Matthew) 19:3-9, which reads,

^19:3Perushim came to him, testing him, and saying, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?"

^19:4He answered, "Haven't you read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, ^19:5and said, 'For this cause will a man leave his father and mother, and will join to his wife; and the two will become one flesh?' ^19:6So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore the Mighty One has joined together, don't let man tear apart." ^19:7They asked him, "Why then did Moshe command us to give her a bill of divorce, and divorce her?" ^19:8He said to them, "Moshe, because of the hardness of your hearts, allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it has not been so. ^19:9I tell you that whoever will put away his wife, except for sexual immorality, and will marry another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she is put away commits adultery."

Shaul's Opinion Not Consistent With His Earlier Words

A portion of 7:11, where Shaul writes "(but if she departs, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband)," appears to be Shaul's own opinion. For he gives a believing wife separated from her believing husband the OPTION of either returning to him in reconciliation or remaining separated from him and not having sex with another man. But this opinion of his here is NOT FULLY CONSISTENT with his earlier opinion in 7:3-5, which appeared to have been based on Shemot (Exodus) 21:10!

For if a husband has authority over his wife's body, she, in submission to her husband, must have sex with him when he desires to have sex with her. She is not to unilaterally deny herself sexually from him, as would be the case if she separated herself from him and did not reconcile herself to him!

Does A Wife Have A Right To Separate Herself From Her Believing Husband?

It is therefore MY OPINION, even as Shaul has given his opinions, that a wife has NO RIGHT TO SEPARATE herself from her believing husband. She is to submit herself to her husband's authority. She must therefore sexually avail herself to her husband, implying that she is not to separate herself from her husband. For if she separates herself from her husband, how will she sexually avail herself to him? Therefore, where she is not at peace with her husband, she must be reconciled to him, in order to bring herself back to a position whereby she is not VIOLATING Yahweh's law of being submissive to her husband within the confines of Yahweh's law.

My Opinion Different From Shaul's

It is therefore evident that my opinion differs from that of Shaul in this matter. For where Shaul gives a believing wife married to a believing husband the option of remaining separate from him, without reconciling with him, I do not. For doing so would not be fully consistent with the requirement that a wife be submissive to her husband, and sexually avail herself to her husband, without sexually denying herself to her husband.

Does A Wife Have A Right To Sexually Deny Herself From Her Husband?

For it seems to me that the only manner that a wife could separate herself from her husband, and sexually deny herself from him, was if her husband had no sexual right over her. If such was the case then her husband would only have a sexual privilege over her, being allowed sex with her only when she allowed him.

But Yahweh commanded men to leave their parents and be sexually joined to their wives. Implying that, to adhere to Yahweh's command, a man must have sex with his wife. Further implying that a wife has no right to prevent her husband from having sex with her, seeing that by so having sex with her he is simply acting in compliance with Yahweh's command.

It should therefore be evident that a wife has NO RIGHT to sexually deny herself from her husband. She therefore has no right to separate herself from him, for by so doing she will be denying her husband his sexual right over her. Therefore, if she is not at peace with her husband, she must be reconciled to him.

When A Wife May Not Be Reconciled To Her Husband

Only if the cost of so reconciling herself to her husband is her disobeying Yahweh that she should not be reconciled to him. For where there is a conflict of commands, it is Yahweh's command that one submits to, rather than human commands. Therefore, the only ground a wife has for not being reconciled to her husband, if she is not at peace with him, is where her husband insists that she violates Yahweh's command. In all other cases she must submit to her husband, and must not separate herself from him!

Yah'shuah's Words On Reconciliation

Mattityahu (Matthew) 5:21-26 reads,

^5:21"You have heard that it was said to them of old time, 'You shall not murder;' and 'Whoever shall murder shall be in danger of the judgment.' ^5:22But I tell you, that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment; and whoever shall say to his brother, 'Reyka,' shall be in danger of the council; and whoever shall say, 'Shoteh,' shall be in danger of the fire of Gehinnom. ^5:23If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you, ^5:24leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. ^5:25Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are with him in the way; lest perhaps the prosecutor deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison. ^5:26Most assuredly I tell you, you shall by no means get out of there, until you have paid the last peruta.

It should be evident from Yah'shuah's words that a believing wife married to a believing man should live in peace with him, with neither being angry with the other without cause. And if one is angry with the other with good cause, the offender should heed Yah'shuah's words in 5:23-24, of being reconciled to the offended BEFORE resuming his or her relationship with the Mighty One. Implying that any person calling himself or herself a believer is REQUIRED to be reconciled with any believer that he or she has offended. For unless such reconciliation takes places, the relationship of that offending believer and the Mighty One remains frustrated.

Failure To Be Reconciled To Other Believers Frustrates Our Relationship With The Father

It should therefore be clear that failure to be reconciled to other believers frustrates our relationship with the Father, and that relationship remains frustrated until such time as we become reconciled to the offended believers. For the Father will not accept our offerings - prayers - when we continue to live our lives without having been reconciled to our offended brethren. It is therefore the Father's requirement that all believers live together in peace and reconciliation, where offence has been caused by one to the other.

An Offending Believing Wife Must Be Reconciled To Her Believing Husband

A believing wife who has offended her believing husband MUST therefore be reconciled to him. She has NO OPTION of not being reconciled to him, if she desires to resume her relationship with the Father, and thereby remain a believer. For if she does not reconcile herself to her husband, her relationship with the Father remains frustrated. And while she is cut off from both the Father and the Messiah she cannot, in truth, call herself a disciple of the Messiah. For the Messiah's disciples abide by the Messiah's words, words that originated with the Father.

What About An Offended Believing Wife?

What if the situation is such that it is the believing husband who has offended his believing wife? Can the offended wife remain in a state of not being reconciled to her husband?

A believing husband MUST NOT be angry with his wife without cause. He must therefore not offend his wife. For by being angry with his wife without cause, by causing offence to her, he is in danger of the judgement, according to Yah'shuah's words in 5:22. He must therefore be reconciled to his wife, in order to continue to abide in the Messiah's word.

What if the believing husband refuses to heed the Messiah's words and does not reconcile himself to his wife?

Those Who Do Not Heed The Messiah's Words

Mattityahu (Matthew) 7:24-27 reads,

^7:24"Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, will be like a wise man, who built his house on a rock.^7:25The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it didn't fall, for it was founded on the rock. ^7:26Everyone who hears these words of mine, and doesn't do them will be like a foolish man, who built his house on the sand. ^7:27The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it fell -- and great was its fall."

Mattityahu (Matthew) 10:14-15 reads,

^10:14Whoever doesn't receive you, nor hear your words, as you go forth out of that house or that city, shake off the dust from your feet. ^10:15Most assuredly I tell you, It will be more tolerable for the land of Sedom and `Amorah in the day of judgment, than for that city.

Luke 6:46-49 reads,

^6:46Why do you call me, 'Master, Master,' and don't do the things which I say? ^6:47Everyone who comes to me, and hears my words, and does them, I will show you who he is like. ^6:48He is like a man building a house, who dug and went deep, and laid a foundation on the rock. When a flood arose, the stream broke against that house, and could not shake it, because it was founded on the rock. ^6:49But he who hears, and doesn't do, is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream broke, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great."

Yahchanan (John) 5:24 reads,

^5:24Most assuredly I tell you, he who hears my word, and believes him who sent me, has eternal life, and doesn't come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.

Yahchanan (John) 8:31-32 reads,

^8:31Yah'shuah therefore said to those Yahudim who had believed him, "If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. ^8:32You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."

Yahchanan (John) 8:51 reads,

^8:51Most assuredly, I tell you, if a person keeps my word, he will never see death."

Yahchanan (John) 12:48 reads,

^12:48He who rejects me, and doesn't receive my sayings, has one who judges him. The word that I spoke, the same will judge him in the last day.

Yahchanan (John) 14:23-24 reads,

^14:23Yah'shuah answered him, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him. ^14:24He who doesn't love me doesn't keep my words. The word which you hear isn't mine, but the Father's who sent me.

It should therefore be clear from Yah'shuah's words that those who do not abide in his word are NOT truly his disciples, and do not rightly call him Master. These do not love Yah'shuah. These still have the prospect of death hanging over them, for they will come into the judgement, not having eternal life abiding in them.

An Unrepentant Offending Husband Ceases To Be A Disciple Of Yah'shuah

A believing husband who offends his wife, and refuses to be reconciled to her, does not remain in the Messiah's word. He therefore ceases to be a disciple of Yah'shuah. He therefore brings upon himself the prospect of judgement, for he does not have eternal life abiding in him. In short, by cutting himself off from the Messiah he ceases to remain a believer!

Should A Believing Wife Offended By An Unrepentant Husband Separate From Him?

Is a wife offended by such a husband given the right to separate herself from him? Seeing that not only has her husband refused to be reconciled to her, he has also, by that refusal, cut himself off from the Messiah?

Mattityahu (Matthew) 10:23 reads,

^10:23But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next, for most assuredly I tell you, you will not have gone through the cities of Yisra'el, until the Son of Man has come.

Yah'shuah's words in 10:23 indicate that believers who are persecuted in one territory should not remain in that territory in which they are persecuted. They are to flee to a territory in which they are not being persecuted. Implying that believers should not just stay in a location simply to be persecuted in it. They should leave that location when persecution arises.

In the context of a wife who is offended by her husband, an offence taking the form of persecution and for which the husband refuses to repent of, it would appear that the wife is ALLOWED to leave the dwelling place where she dwells with her husband! In fact, it appears that such a persecuted wife is COMMANDED to leave the dwelling place where she dwells with her husband!

Inflicting Physical Injury

Also, Shemot (Exodus) 21:26-27 reads,

^21:26"If a man strikes his servant's eye, or his maid's eye, and destroys it, he shall let him go free for his eye's sake. ^21:27If he strikes out his man-servant's tooth, or his maid-servant's tooth, he shall let him go free for his tooth's sake.

While Shemot (Exodus) 21:26-27 is not specifically talking about wives, it is indeed talking about those who are under the authority of a man, even as a wife is under the authority of her husband. Seeing that a wife's status is higher than that of a servant, though both are under the authority of a man, it would appear that a wife would not have lesser rights than those possessed by a servant!

Therefore, whereby a servant has the right to depart from being under his or her master's authority, on account of being physically stricken by his or her master, and having a part of his or her body destroyed, it would appear that a wife would have the same right. Meaning that a wife physically stricken by her husband, and having a part of her body destroyed by him, would appear to have the right to separate herself from him!

An Estranged Wife Not Allowed To Marry

Nevertheless, a perceived right to physically separate herself from him is not equated with a right to marry another man. For Yah'shuah stated in Mattityahu (Matthew) 19:9,

^19:9I tell you that whoever will put away his wife, except for sexual immorality, and will marry another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she is put away commits adultery.

Implying that a woman separated from her husband has NO RIGHT to marry again. For so marrying again is adultery. Implying that a woman who separates herself from her husband, on account of the physical violence inflicted on her by her husband, must remain married to her husband even though living separately from him. If she desires to resume a sexual life she must indeed be reconciled to her husband. But she must not have sex with another man, for she is still married.

Inflicting Physical Injury Is Driving Away A Spouse

It should also be noted that the man who physically abuses his wife is effectively driving her away from him. In so driving her away from him he is putting her away on a ground other than sexual immorality. And by so doing he commits adultery, in putting his wife in a situation whereby she is likely to commit adultery, on account of her living apart from him. For Yah'shuah spoke in Mattityahu 5:31-32,

^5:31"It was also said, 'Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce,' ^5:32but I tell you that everyone who puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever shall marry her when she is put away commits adultery.

A married man MUST NOT, therefore, physically beat up his wife. For a wife who is physically harmed by her husband can separate herself from him and live apart from him, even though she remains legally married to him, and therefore not allowed to marry another man. And by so having driven away his wife such a man commits adultery, for having placed his wife in a situation whereby she is likely to commit adultery!

Believers Must Not Physically Injure Their Spouses

Coming back to the context of Shaul's words, it should be noted that his comments in 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 were directed at believers married to one another. A believing husband, in obedience to Yah'shuah's words, must not physically beat up his wife. A believing wife must also not provoke her husband, lest he physically beats her up. Believers must live together peaceably.

Be Merciful To One Another

Also, believers should be merciful with one another. They should remember Yah'shuah's words in Mattityahu 18:21-35, which read,

^18:21Then Kefa came and said to him, "Master, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?"

^18:22Yah'shuah said to him, "I don't tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven. ^18:23Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who wanted to reconcile accounts with his servants. ^18:24When he had begun to reconcile, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. ^18:25But because he couldn't pay, his master commanded him to be sold, with his wife, his children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. ^18:26The servant therefore fell down and kneeled before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will repay you all.' ^18:27The master of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. ^18:28But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants, who owed him one hundred denarii, and he laid hold on him, and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!' ^18:29So his fellow-servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will repay you.' ^18:30He would not, but went and cast him into prison, until he should pay back that which was due. ^18:31So when his fellow-servants saw what was done, they were exceedingly sorry, and came and told to their master all that was done. ^18:32Then his master called him in, and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt, because you begged me. ^18:33Shouldn't you also have had mercy on your fellow-servant, even as I had mercy on you?' ^18:34His master was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors, until he should pay all that was due. ^18:35So will also my heavenly Father do to you, if you don't each forgive his brother from your hearts for his misdeeds."

And also Luke 17:3-4,

^17:3Be careful. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him. ^17:4If he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven times turns again, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him.

Yah'shuah's disciples must therefore repeatedly forgive their spouses, from their hearts, for the misdeeds committed by their spouses against them. Therefore, even in the case of physical violence and injury inflicted on a spouse, the victim spouse should be merciful and forgiving towards the offending spouse upon the offender's repentance, even frequently repeated repentance!

Shaul Restates That He Is Giving His Own Opinion And Not The Master's Command

Continuing in 1 Corinthians 7:12 Shaul shows that he is AGAIN giving his OWN OPINION, and not the Master's command, stating expressly that it is not the Master's command that he is giving, but his own.

Shaul Distinguishes Between His Advice To Different Audiences

By stating in 7:12 "but to the rest", and then talking about marriages where one of the partners to the marriage is an unbeliever, implies that his comments in 7:10-11 were applicable only to marriages where both partners were believers!

Shaul's Advice To Believers Married To Unbelievers

In 7:12-13 Shaul's opinion is that where a believer is married to an unbeliever, and the unbeliever is content to live with the believer, the believer should continue living together with the unbeliever. He justifies this opinion in 7:14, where he states that an unbeliever married to a believer is sanctified in the sanctity of the believer. And he derives this view of an unbeliever married to a believer being sanctified in the sanctity of the believer from their children being holy. For, he says, had it been otherwise, meaning that the unbeliever was not sanctified in the sanctity of the believer, their children would be unclean or unholy.

How Are The Children Of A Believer Holy?

How did Shaul come to the view that the children of a believer married to an unbeliever are holy and not unholy? And how did he come to the view that if an unbeliever did not share in the sanctity of his or her believing spouse, their children would be unholy?

Children Of Disobedience

Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 57:1-5 reads,

^57:1The righteous perishes, and no man lays it to heart; and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. ^57:2He enters into shalom; they rest in their beds, each one who walks in his uprightness. ^57:3But draw near here, you sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the prostitute. ^57:4Against whom do you sport yourselves? against whom make you a wide mouth, and put out the tongue? Aren't you children of disobedience, a seed of falsehood, ^57:5you who inflame yourselves among the oaks, under every green tree; who kill the children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks?

Yahweh's words here in Yeshayahu (Isaiah) makes a CONTRAST between the righteous and the unrighteous, between merciful men and unmerciful men, between ones who walk in uprightness and ones who do not walk in uprightness. The ones contrasted against the righteous, merciful and upright are those who are sons of the sorceress and those who are the seed of the adulterer and the prostitute. These unrighteous ones are called children of disobedience, a seed of falsehood.

In other words, they were not begotten of parents who were married to one another, but of parents who were not married to one another. And if begotten of parents who were not married to one another, the only manner facilitating such begettal was if their parents were either adulterers or adulteresses, or prostitutes. And the reason they are called children of disobedience is that their parents, in their begettal, disobeyed Yahweh, for they should not have had sex between one another, either in adultery or in prostitution. And the reason they are called a seed of falsehood is that both adultery and prostitution are false practices, practices devoid of the faithfulness or truthfulness inherent in a righteous marriage.

Children Of Disobedience Deemed Unholy Or Unclean

Yahweh categorises children begotten in disobedience or falsehood with the unrighteous. They are therefore deemed unholy or unclean.

Devarim (Deuteronomy) 23:2 reads,

^23:2A bastard shall not enter into the assembly of Yahweh; even to the tenth generation shall none of his enter into the assembly of Yahweh.

It should clearly be evident that illegitimate children, those begotten out of marriage, whether in adultery or in prostitution, are deemed unholy or unclean. For they do not belong to Yahweh's holy assembly.

Yahweh Desires Righteous Seed

Malakhi (Malachi) 2:13-16 reads,

^2:13This again you do: you cover the altar of Yahweh with tears, with weeping, and with sighing, because he doesn't regard the offering any more, neither receives it with good will at your hand. ^2:14Yet you say, "Why?" Because Yahweh has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion, and the wife of your covenant. ^2:15Did he not make one, although he had the residue of the Spirit? Why one? He sought a righteous seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. ^2:16For I hate putting away, says Yahweh, the Mighty One of Yisra'el, and him who covers his garment with violence, says Yahweh-Tzva'ot: therefore take heed to your spirit, that you don't deal treacherously.

Malakhi (Malachi) 2:15 shows that Yahweh desires righteous seed, that is children conceived in marriage. But Yahweh is displeased with treachery against one's wife, such as in divorcing one's wife, causing her to conceive unrighteous or unholy seed in adultery.

Children That Yahweh Deems Unholy Or Unclean

From the above scriptures in Devarim (Deuteronomy), Yeshayahu (Isaiah) and Malakhi (Malachi), it should be clear that children whom Yahweh deems unholy or unclean are those who are illegitimate, those CONCEIVED IN DISOBEDIENCE to Yahweh. The disobedience can arise from adultery, prostitution or even in marriage whereby a believer marries an unbeliever, for Yahweh prohibits such a marriage, even as Yahweh prohibits adultery and prostitution. It should therefore be noted that children who are not conceived in disobedience, conceived in a marriage that Yahweh has not disapproved of, are deemed righteous, holy or clean.

Marriages Of Believers Married To Unbelievers Valid Before Yahweh

Therefore, for children of a believer married to an unbeliever to be deemed righteous, holy or clean implies that the marriage of their parents did not violate Yahweh's word at the time they were conceived. Further implying that their parents' marriage was indeed acceptable to Yahweh.

If the marriage of their parents was not acceptable to Yahweh, meaning it was forbidden by Yahweh, then such children would have been children of disobedience, and therefore deemed unrighteous, unholy or unclean.

Not All Marriages Of Believers Married To Unbelievers Are Valid Before Yahweh

It should also be noted that as Yahweh's law forbids a believer from marrying an unbeliever, and there are believers in the assembly of Yahweh who are married to unbelievers, it should be evident that these believers married to unbelievers were already married at the time they became believers. In other words, they did not marry their unbelieving spouses after they became believers, but were already married to them at the time they became believers.

Yahweh Does Not Require A Married New Believer To Forsake His Or Her Marriage To An Unbeliever

It should also be noted that Yahweh does not require new believers who are married to unbelievers to forsake their marriages. Implying that Yahweh recognises as valid the marriages of these new believers to their unbelieving spouses. And if the existing marriages of new believers are recognised as valid before Yahweh's eyes then it is indeed the case that they were valid even at the time prior to these believers becoming so. It should therefore be noted that proper marriages of unbelievers are valid before Yahweh.

Since these proper marriages of unbelievers are valid before Yahweh, it is therefore the case that children conceived in them are righteous, holy and clean, in the sense that they are not children of disobedience. They are therefore acceptable to the holy assembly of Yahweh.

Yahweh's Marriage Laws Applicable To All Believers Without Distinction

Seeing that Yahweh recognises the existing marriages of new believers, it appears to me that the commandments given to believers with respect to marriage are applicable to existing marriages between believers and unbelievers. And therefore when Yahweh commands a man not to divorce his wife, except for sexual immorality [porneia] on her part, he must not divorce her, even if she is an unbeliever. And seeing that a wife is not to depart from her husband and have sex with another, for that would make her an adulteress, implying that she has no power to unilaterally divorce her husband, so should she be, even if her husband is an unbeliever.

Yahweh Cleanses Humans Deemed Unclean Or Unholy

It should also be mentioned, in passing, that just because a child is deemed unholy or unclean at a particular point in time, by virtue of being a child of disobedience, does not necessarily mean that he or she will always so be deemed. For Yahweh clearly showed Kefa, as seen in Acts 10-11, that humans must not call common or unclean or unholy what the Mighty One has cleansed. And seeing that the Mighty One cleanses unclean human beings, even as he cleansed the Goyim who were prior to their cleansing deemed unholy, it appears to me that once the Mighty One cleanses a particular child of disobedience he or she ceases to be unclean or unholy. From then on no one should call such a child unholy or unclean. From then on such a child should be accepted as a disciple of the Messiah even as other disciples of the Messiah.

Shaul's Opinions Different For Different Groups Of Married Believers

Shaul's opinion in 1 Corinthians 7:15 is that if an unbeliever departs from his or her marriage with a believer, the believer should respect the unbeliever's action, and allow the separation to take effect. Nevertheless, in talking about marriages between two believers, as in 7:10-11, where he gives the Master's command, he talks about a wife who is separated from her husband returning to him in reconciliation. Shaul therefore makes a distinction between his opinion with respect to marriages between believers and marriages between a believer and an unbeliever.

Why Doesn't Shaul Discuss A Believing Wife Returning In Reconciliation To Her Unbelieving Husband?

Why doesn't Shaul talk about a believing wife separated from her unbelieving husband returning to him in reconciliation, as he talks about a believing wife returning to her believing husband in reconciliation? Is it the case that a believing wife cannot or ought not to be reconciled to an unbelieving husband?

It should be noted that Shaul did not talk about a believing wife departing from her unbelieving husband. He spoke about an unbelieving husband departing from a believing wife. Thereby implying that a believing wife ought not to leave her unbelieving husband, but should be faithful to the marriage.

Only The Mighty One Can Sever A Union Effected By Him

It should also be noted that Yah'shuah stated in Mattityahu (Matthew) 19:6, speaking in the context of marriage, that whatever the Mighty One has joined together let not man tear apart. Implying that the only person authorised to tear apart a union effected by the Mighty One is the Mighty One himself.

In the context of marriage between an unbeliever and a believer, a marriage ratified as valid by the Mighty One, it should be noted that only the Mighty One has authority to separate such a union.

There is a scriptural case where the Mighty One separated a valid marriage between a believer and an unbeliever, the marriage between Avraham and Hagar. For Yahweh the Mighty One commanded Avraham to send Hagar away from himself, even though Hagar had not committed adultery against Avraham!

A Reason Why Yahweh Severed Avraham's Marriage To Hagar

A reason for the Mighty One severing this marriage was that Hagar, together with her son, had despised both believers and their belief practices, practices originating with Yahweh. Implying that Hagar had, in effect, despised Yahweh, thereby blaspheming Yahweh.

It therefore appears that whereby an unbeliever despises or blasphemes Yahweh, Yahweh MAY indeed sever the marriage of that unbeliever to a believer. And once severed the believer is no longer married to the unbeliever! And if Yahweh severs the marriage it ceases to exist. (For detailed comment on this matter please refer to the article "The Commandments of Yahweh - His Righteous Requirements" published at http://www.ServeYahweh.org/Articles/commandments.htm#AVRAHAMKEPT.)

Married People Should Remember That Their Marriages Remain Valid Until Severed By Yahweh

It is therefore evident that Yahweh can indeed sever the marriage of a believer to an unbeliever. But unless and until Yahweh severs such a marriage it continues to exist, for it is a valid marriage in Yahweh's eyes. A believer who is married to an unbeliever must therefore ensure that Yahweh has indeed severed his or her marriage to an unbeliever before assuming that this is the case. For only when a believer has confirmed that Yahweh has indeed severed that marriage that the believer's marital (sexual) responsibilities to his or her former spouse cease. Prior to Yahweh severing that marriage the believer remains duly married to the unbeliever, and therefore liable to fulfil all marital (sexual) responsibilities to the unbelieving spouse.

Does Shaul's Opinion Allow Repentance By A Departed Unbelieving Spouse?

Shaul in 7:15 appears to suggest that a believer is not bound to his or her departing unbelieving spouse if the unbeliever departs. But Shaul does not appear, in his opinion here, to allow the unbeliever to repent of his or her decision. Such that the unbeliever might desire to be reconciled to his or her believing spouse.

Believers Should Always Give Their Unbelieving Spouses Room To Repent

It appears to me that seeing that the unbeliever is as much a creation of Yahweh as the believer, and the unbeliever can in due course repent of evil even as the believer did in his or her own time, a believer should always give room for his or her departed unbelieving spouse coming to repentance. Such that if the unbeliever comes to repentance, even after departure from the believer, and desires reconciliation with the believer, the believer should give room for this. For are not believers to be perfect even as the Father is perfect? And should not a believer, in the Father's mercy, be reconciled to one the Father has granted reconciliation to himself?

It therefore appears to me that the only marriage that is severed is that one that the Mighty One has severed. If the Mighty One has not severed that marriage, and the unbeliever has departed from it, the believer should always give room for reconciliation, and be reconciled with the unbeliever as and when the unbeliever desires reconciliation. For just as the believer repented of his or her sins in times past, so also can his or her unbelieving spouse repent of his or her sins, including the sin of departing from marriage to the believer.

My Opinion Slightly Different From Shaul's

My opinion in this matter is therefore slightly different from Shaul's. For though we are both agreed that the valid marriage of a believer to an unbeliever can be severed, the ground that Shaul appears to allow the severing of such a marriage does not appear to be comprehensively sufficient in my opinion. For it does not appear to me sufficient that such a marriage is severed simply on the departure of the unbeliever.

The Only Severed Marriages Are Those That Yahweh Has Severed

In my opinion, relying on Yah'shuah's words in Mattityahu (Matthew) 19:6, a marriage recognised by Yahweh is severed only when Yahweh severs it. Therefore even if an unbeliever departs from a marriage to a believer it is not severed unless and until Yahweh severs it. And just as a believer departing from a marriage to another believer does not have that marriage severed, thereby allowing room for reconciliation, so also a marriage of an unbeliever to a believer is not automatically severed upon departure by any party to it. Room is likewise given for reconciliation. Therefore, the only marriage that is severed is that which Yahweh severs.

And the grounds that Yahweh has shown that he severs marriages include adultery and blasphemy against Yahweh. And in the case of blasphemy against Yahweh a believer ought to obtain guidance from Yahweh before severance of the marriage, following the example of Avraham, who sought Yahweh's guidance when he was confronted with the same issue.

Shaul's Words On Remaining In One's Condition At The Time Of One's Calling

1 Corinthians 7:17-24 reads,

^7:17Only, as the Master has distributed to each man, as the Mighty One has called each, so let him walk. So I command in all the assemblies. ^7:18Was anyone called being circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Has any been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised. ^7:19Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of the Mighty One. ^7:20Let each man stay in that calling in which he was called. ^7:21Were you called being a bondservant? Don't let that bother you, but if you get an opportunity to become free, use it. ^7:22For he who was called in the Master being a bondservant is the Master's free man. Likewise he who was called being free is Messiah's bondservant. ^7:23You were bought with a price. Don't become bondservants of men. ^7:24Brothers, let each man, in whatever condition he was called, stay in that condition with the Mighty One.

Shaul Again Appears To Be Giving His Own Opinion

Shaul's words in 7:17-24 appear to be his own opinion, rather than the command of the Master. A number of reasons suggest that these words are indeed his opinion, rather than the Master's commands.

In 7:17 Shaul clearly states that what he was writing was his command in all the assemblies. Considering that earlier on he clearly distinguished between his commands and those of the Master, these words here indeed appear to be his own commands rather than the Master's.

Shaul Did Not Bind Himself Or Timotiyos By His Words In 1 Corinthians 7:18

In 7:18 Shaul states that if one received one's calling while circumcised, so should one remain. And if one received one's calling while uncircumcised, so should one remain. Nevertheless, evidence from the book of Acts shows that Shaul did not bind himself by these words of his. For Acts 16:1-5 reads,

^16:1He came to Derbe and Lystra: and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotiyos, the son of a Yahudi who believed; but his father was a Yevanit. ^16:2The brothers who were at Lystra and Iconium gave a good testimony about him. ^16:3Sha'ul wanted to have him go forth with him, and he took and circumcised him because of the Yahudim who were in those parts; for they all knew that his father was a Yevanit. ^16:4As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered the decrees to them to keep which had been ordained by the apostles and Zakenim who were at Yerushalayim. ^16:5So the assemblies were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Seeing that Shaul circumcised Timotiyos at a time when Timotiyos WAS ALREADY a disciple and had therefore received his calling, it is indeed evident that Shaul did not deem his words in 1 Corinthians 7:18 to have bound either him or Timotiyos! And if he did not deem these words to have bound either him or Timotiyos then surely they did not bind anyone else. In other words, these words of his did not have the capacity to bind as the commands of the Master do. They were therefore just Shaul's opinion and not the command of the Master.

The Apostles' And Zakenim's Decrees That Shaul Delivered

The contents of Acts 16:4-5 should also be noted, for they state what Shaul and Timotiyos were doing in the various assemblies of Yahweh throughout various cities. They were delivering the decrees that had been ordained by the apostles and Zakenim who were at Yerushalayim.

Goyim Believers Not Prohibited From Being Circumcised

Examination of the decrees that had been ordained by the apostles, Zakenim and brothers at Yerushalayim, as recorded in the letter quoted in Acts 15:23-29, shows that the believers among the Goyim WERE NOT compelled to be circumcised. Nevertheless, the letter also shows that these believers among the Goyim were NOT PROHIBITED from being circumcised. In other words, with respect to their salvation, whether they were circumcised or not was immaterial. Therefore, even if they were circumcised that circumcision would have no bearing on their salvation.

The Holy Spirit Did Not Prohibit Goyim Believers From Being Circumcised

Seeing that the apostles, Zakenim and brothers at Yerushalayim DID NOT prohibit the believers among the Goyim from being circumcised, and seeing that Acts 15:28 shows that their decree was ratified by the Holy Spirit, it is indeed evident that the Holy Spirit DID NOT prohibit the believers among the Goyim from being circumcised.

The Holy Spirit Did Not Issue The Command In 1 Corinthians 7:18

Therefore, Shaul's command in 1 Corinthians 7:18 that a person called while uncircumcised not be circumcised is seen to have been his own command and his own opinion. For the Holy Spirit did not issue this command!

Shaul's Words Are Not Consistent

Shaul's words in 7:21 do not appear to be in harmony with his words in 7:20. For in 7:20 he opines that each person should stay in the calling in which he was called. Nevertheless in 7:21 he tells a person who is a bondservant to become free if such an opportunity for becoming free arises! If a bondservant received his calling while a bondservant, and he adheres to Shaul's words that each person should remain in the condition he was in at the time of his calling, then he will not seek to be free from his bondservice even if an opportunity for being free arises. But if he does not seek to be free when such opportunity arises he will not be heeding Shaul's words in 7:21. It is therefore evident that the opinion Shaul was giving here was NOT CONSISTENT!

Seeing that Shaul's opinion here was not consistent, it should indeed be evident that these were Shaul's own words, and NOT those of the Holy Spirit!

Shaul's Words To Unmarried Believers

1 Corinthians 7:25-40 reads,

^7:25Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment from the Master, but I give my judgment as one who has obtained mercy from the Master to be trustworthy. ^7:26I think that it is good therefore, because of the distress that is on us, that it is good for a man to be as he is. ^7:27Are you bound to a wife? Don't seek to be freed. Are you free from a wife? Don't seek a wife. ^7:28But if you marry, you have not sinned. If a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have oppression in the flesh, and I want to spare you. ^7:29But I say this, brothers: the time is short, that from now on, both those who have wives may be as though they had none; ^7:30and those who weep, as though they didn't weep; and those who rejoice, as though they didn't rejoice; and those who buy, as though they didn't possess; ^7:31and those who use the world, as not using it to the fullest. For the mode of this world passes away. ^7:32But I desire to have you to be free from cares. He who is unmarried is concerned for the things of the Master, how he may please the Master; ^7:33but he who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife. ^7:34There is also a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Master, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world -- how she may please her husband. ^7:35This I say for your own profit; not that I may throw a snare on you, but for that which is appropriate, and that you may attend to the Master without distraction. ^7:36But if any man thinks that he is behaving inappropriately toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of her age, and if need so requires, let him do what he desires. He doesn't sin. Let them marry. ^7:37But he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own heart, to keep his own virgin, will do well. ^7:38So then both he who gives his own virgin in marriage does well, and he who doesn't give her in marriage will do better. ^7:39A wife is bound by law for so long time as her husband lives; but if the husband is dead, she is free to be married to whoever she desires, only in the Master. ^7:40But she is happier if she stays as she is, in my judgment, and I think that I also have the Mighty One's Spirit.

Shaul Again Asserted That He Was Giving His Own Opinion And Not The Master's Commandment

Shaul states clearly, AGAIN, that concerning the topic that he was about to speak on he had NO COMMANDMENT from the Master. Therefore what he was saying subsequently was his OWN OPINION, and not the Master's commandment.

Is It Sin To Marry?

In 7:28 Shaul stated that if one married that one did not sin! One would ask - was it sin to marry? Is it sin to marry?

Seeing that human beings marry because Yahweh made them male and female, and commanded them to marry, how could it be sin for one to marry? How could it be a violation of Yahweh's law to marry when he himself has commanded marriage, and also given various laws to regulate conduct within marriage?

Did Shaul Realise That Some Would Misinterpret His Own Opinions?

Or did Shaul realise that some of his readers were likely to MISINTERPRET his own opinion, elevating his own opinion to a level equivalent to that of the Master's word? Such that if he opined that believers should remain single then his readers would interpret this opinion of his to be the Master's command with the force of binding? Such that if any believer married, he or she would be deemed, by these who would misinterpret his opinion, to be sinning by his or her act of marriage?

Shaul's Personal Opinions Do Not Have The Force Of Law

It should be REITERATED and STRESSED that Shaul was here giving his own opinion and not the Master's command. His words here therefore did not have the capacity to bind, as the Master's or the Holy Spirit's commands. His opinion therefore had the standing of that of any other believer speaking without the authority of the Holy Spirit.

How Shaul Justified His Opinion

In 7:26 Shaul justifies his opinion as being valid because of the distress that was on them, the opinion that believers should remain in the marital state they were in that at point in time. Such that those who were married were to remain married, and those who were unmarried were to remain unmarried. What was this distress that was upon them?

It is likely that this distress was a famine that was being experienced in the regions that Shaul worked in, and was particularly acute in the region of Yahudah. For there are references to it in 1 Corinthians 16 and 2 Corinthians 8-9.

If so, then Shaul appeared to be telling believers not to change their marital status as a result of the famine that was being experienced in the regions that he worked in.

Are Married People The Only Ones Who Undergo Oppression In The Flesh?

In 7:28 Shaul stated that those who marry would have oppression in the flesh. Taking this opinion in the context of the distress they were experiencing, probably a famine, did he mean that only those who are married would undergo oppression in the flesh during that distress? How would oppression in the flesh affect only those who were married, and not those who were unmarried, in the distress they were then experiencing? Was the distress they were undergoing discriminatory, in that those who were married suffered oppression in the flesh while those who were not married did not so suffer?

What Was The Nature Of The Distress That Discriminated Against Married People?

If the distress that Shaul spoke of was the famine referred to as already mentioned above then it does not appear that such distress would discriminate against those who were married. For famine afflicts human beings alike, whether married or unmarried. One therefore wonders what the nature of this particular distress was, that it appears to have discriminated against only those who were married.

Is Fear Of Oppression In The Flesh Sufficient Ground To Avoid Marrying?

Alternatively, Shaul's words that those who marry would undergo oppression in the flesh were meant under all circumstances, irrespective of whether there was a distress or not. But if oppression in the flesh is common for all who marry then it does not appear to be sufficient ground not to marry. For human beings marry because they were created by Yahweh to marry. It therefore appears that fear of oppression in the flesh as would occur to all who are married is not sufficient reason not to marry, for it does not negate Yahweh's general command to human beings that they marry. It is therefore evident that these were indeed Shaul's words without authority of the Holy Spirit!

Shaul's Opinion In The Context Of Time Being Short

Shaul's comments in 7:29-31 are in the context of time being short, in the context of the mode of this world passing away. In this context his opinion was that those with wives be as those without wives. In other words, those who are married should live as though they were unmarried.

Do Not Married Men Living As Unmarried Violate The Rights Of Their Wives?

But if those who are married live as though they were unmarried, wouldn't they be violating the marital rights of those they are married to, such as mentioned in Shemot (Exodus) 21:10? Also, would not living as though unmarried violate the very advice Shaul was giving earlier on in 7:2-5? And was not his opinion in 7:2-5 issued at the same time that he issued his opinion in 7:29-31, both being in the very same letter reaching his readers at the very same time? Don't his words appear to be conflicting, not only with Yahweh's command, but also within themselves? Can such self-conflicting words come from the Holy Spirit?

Scripture Cannot Be Broken

It should be noted that Yahchanan (John) 10:35 reads, in part,

(and the scripture can't be broken).

Implying that any words that can and have been broken are NOT SCRIPTURE!

Shaul's Words Broken By Scripture

Seeing that scripture cannot be broken, and Shaul's words over here as examined above have indeed been broken by scripture, it is CONCLUDED that these words of Shaul are NOT part of Scripture! These words of Shaul, whereby he spoke without command from the Master, were simply his own opinions devoid of the inspiration of the Holy Spirit! They do not and ought not to bind the believers, Yah'shuah's disciples and servants!

Believers Have Not Followed Shaul's Words

It should also be noted, as seen earlier on, that the last days commenced with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, even as Kefa spoke in Acts 2, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, in quoting Yoel. Seeing that we are still living in the last days, at a time when the mode of this world is passing away, it is evident that had believers followed these words of Shaul they would not have had children! And they would not have been marrying one another!

Believers Have Not Believed That The Spirit Inspired Shaul's Words In 1 Corinthians 7

It is therefore evident that believers, over the many years since Shaul wrote these words, have not really believed that Shaul spoke these words under inspiration of the Holy Spirit. For if they had they would not have been marrying amongst themselves. The only ones who would be married amongst them would be those who received their calling while married. And even these would have ceased to live as married to one another, living as unmarried. The believers would all have been living as unmarried, if they had heeded these words of Shaul!

The practice of believers over the many years since Shaul wrote these words shows that they understood these words to be Shaul's opinions devoid of the Holy Spirit's inspiration! That is why they have not sought to abide by them. And this also shows that any words not inspired by the Holy Spirit have no binding authority over believers. With the only words binding believers in their conduct being those inspired by the Holy Spirit, those spoken by the Master.

Shaul Again Promotes The Unmarried State Over The Married State

In 7:32-35 Shaul is again arguing that believers should be unmarried rather than married. For, in his opinion, those who are unmarried can attend to the Master without distraction, distraction brought about by being concerned with pleasing one's wife or husband. In fact, according to Shaul, pleasing one's wife or husband is caring about the things of the world!

Is Pleasing One's Spouse Caring About The Things Of The World?

Seeing that Shaul had earlier on said that it is not sin to marry, and seeing that he is here equating marrying with caring for the things of the world, it would appear that it was Shaul's opinion that it was not sin to care for the things of the world!

Yah'shuah's Words Concerning The Cares Of The World

Mattityahu (Matthew) 13:18-23 reads,

^13:18"Hear, then, the parable of the farmer. ^13:19When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and doesn't understand it, the evil one comes, and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown by the roadside. ^13:20What was sown on the rocky places, this is he who hears the word, and immediately with joy receives it; ^13:21yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. ^13:22What was sown among the thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. ^13:23What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word, and understands it, who most assuredly bears fruit, and brings forth, some one hundred times, some sixty, some thirty."

It Appears To Have Been Shaul's Opinion That Those Who Married Choked The Word

It would also appear from Shaul's equation of marrying with caring for the things of the world, that it was his opinion that those who married would choke the word by their cares of the world, and would be unfruitful. For Yah'shuah said that those who cared for the things of the world choked the word by those cares, and became unfruitful.

Did Yah'shuah Equate Marrying With Caring For The Things Of The World?

Did Yah'shuah equate marrying with caring for the things of the world? Such that those who married would by their cares of the world choke the word, and become unfruitful?

Did not he instead remind us of the sanctity of marriage, speaking these words in Mattityahu (Matthew) 19:4-6, which reads,

^19:4He answered, "Haven't you read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, ^19:5and said, 'For this cause will a man leave his father and mother, and will join to his wife; and the two will become one flesh?' ^19:6So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore the Mighty One has joined together, don't let man tear apart."

Did The Mighty One Contradict Himself?

Would the Mighty One contradict himself, such as by commanding human beings to marry, and expecting human beings to be fruitful in his word, knowing full well that by so marrying they would not be fruitful in his word, for by marrying they would choke the word, by caring for the things of the world? Would the Mighty One really contradict himself?

Yah'shuah's Words Concerning Bearing Fruit

In Yahchanan (John) 15:1-8 Yah'shuah spoke,

^15:1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer. ^15:2Every branch in me that doesn't bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ^15:3You are already pruned clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. ^15:4Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can't bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me. ^15:5I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ^15:6If a man doesn't remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. ^15:7If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done to you. ^15:8In this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so you will be my disciples."

How Believers Bear Much Fruit

It should therefore be evident that the only manner believers truly become Yah'shuah's disciples is by their bearing much fruit. Much fruit that they bear only when they remain in him and he in them. And he remains in his disciples by his disciples doing his words, showing that his words remain in them. Therefore those who do Yah'shuah's words are those who remain in him and he in them and bear much fruit.

Shaul's Words Contrary To Yah'shuah The Master's Words

Seeing that Yah'shuah's words included human beings marrying because Yahweh made them male and female, and his additional words that whatever the Mighty One has joined together let no man put asunder, it should indeed be evident that believers who marry and live as married abide in Yah'shuah's words! Such married believers indeed bear much fruit, thereby showing themselves to be Yah'shuah's disciples.

Yet Shaul equated marrying with caring for the things of the world, the things that choke Yah'shuah's word, causing those who believe in him to be unfruitful!

It is indeed evident that these words of Shaul were NOT the Master's command! For not only were they not inspired by the Holy Spirit, they are also found to be CONTRARY to Yah'shuah the Master's words!

Additional Words Of Shaul Contrary To The Yah'shuah The Master's Words

In 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 Shaul's opinion was that those who were married live their lives as if they were not married. Yet Yah'shuah spoke in Mattityahu (Matthew) 19:6 that whatever the Mighty One has joined together let no man tear apart. Was not Shaul, by his words that those who were married live as though they were not married, tearing apart that which the Mighty One had joined together? Were not these words of his CONTRARY to Yah'shuah the Master's words?

Those Remaining In Shaul's Contrary Words Will Be Cut Off From The Messiah

Also, seeing that Yah'shuah the Master said in Yahchanan (John) 15:6 that those who do not remain in him are as a branch that is thrown out, withers, is gathered, thrown into the fire, and is burned, it should indeed be evident that those who speak and act as Shaul has spoken, AND CONTINUE IN THE SAME MANNER OF SPEECH AND CONDUCT, will indeed be as such a branch! They will be cut off from Yah'shuah the Master, cut off by the Father! For only those who REMAIN in Yah'shuah are truly Yah'shuah's disciples! In other words, it is not enough to just receive Yah'shuah's words, being cleansed by the receipt of that word. But it is also a REQUIREMENT that a believer bears much fruit, much fruit borne by that believer remaining in the words of Yah'shuah. And by so remaining in Yah'shuah's words that believer truly becomes Yah'shuah's disciple, with Yah'shuah remaining also in him.

This is SERIOUS STUFF! This is serious stuff!

Marrying Is Not Equivalent To Caring For The Things Of The World

It should therefore be clearly evident that marrying is not equivalent to caring for the things of the world, notwithstanding Shaul's words! Marrying is abiding by Yah'shuah's words, for so he spoke in Mattityahu (Matthew) 19. And seeing that those who abide by Yah'shuah's words bear much fruit, as Yah'shuah spoke in Yahchanan (John) 15, it should be evident that those who marry do not choke Yah'shuah's word by their marrying! Shaul's words are therefore seen to be CONTRADICTED by Yah'shuah's words. Not only were these words of Shaul not the Master's command, they are also found to be CONTRARY to the Master's word!

Yah'shuah's Words On Identifying False Prophets

In Mattityahu (Matthew) 7:15-27 Yah'shuah the Master spoke,

^7:15"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. ^7:16By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? ^7:17Even so, every good tree brings forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. ^7:18A good tree can't bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. ^7:19Every tree that doesn't grow good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire. ^7:20Therefore, by their fruits you will know them. ^7:21Not everyone who says to me, 'Master, Master,' will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven. ^7:22Many will tell me in that day, 'Master, Master, didn't we prophesy by your name, by your name cast out demons, and by your name do many mighty works?' ^7:23Then I will tell them, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.'

^7:24"Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, will be like a wise man, who built his house on a rock.^7:25The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it didn't fall, for it was founded on the rock. ^7:26Everyone who hears these words of mine, and doesn't do them will be like a foolish man, who built his house on the sand. ^7:27The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it fell -- and great was its fall."

Shaul's Fruit Arising From 1 Corinthians 7 Is Not Good

As already seen above, Shaul's fruit, as seen by his opinions expressed to the assembly at Corinth in 1 Corinthians 7, was NOT GOOD! For his words were contrary to those of Yah'shuah the Master! And in producing fruit that was not good he stood AT RISK of being cut down and thrown into the fire! Yes - in Shaul producing fruit that was not good he stood at risk of being cut down and thrown into the fire!

Now, does Shaul's conduct in 1 Corinthians 7, in his having spoken words contrary to those of Yah'shuah the Messiah, automatically make him a false prophet? Is it the case that servants of Yah'shuah NEVER speak words contrary to Yah'shuah's words?

Yaakov (James) 1:1 reads,

^1:1Ya`akov, a servant of Yahweh and of the Master Yah'shuah the Messiah, to the twelve tribes which are in the Dispersion: greetings.

Yaakov (James) 3:1-2 reads,

^3:1Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment. ^3:2For in many things we all stumble. If anyone doesn't stumble in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.

It should therefore be evident, from Yaakov's words, who was clearly acknowledged as a servant of Yahweh and Yah'shuah, that servants of Yahweh STUMBLE IN WORD! They are NOT YET PERFECT!

It should therefore not be a surprising thing that Shaul ALSO stumbled in word, even as other servants of Yahweh and Yah'shuah stumble in word. For Shaul was just as much a human being as other human servants of Yahweh! Therefore, in Shaul, or other servants of Yahweh, stumbling in word, one should not automatically conclude that he was a false prophet. The fact of the matter is that servants of Yahweh have stumbled, and will continue to stumble, in word, while they remain human beings. For there is no man who does not sin (1 Melakhim (Kings) 8:46)!

Yah'shuah's Words On Identifying Good And Evil

Yah'shuah also spoke, in Mattityahu (Matthew) 12:33-37,

^12:33"Either make the tree good, and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit. ^12:34You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. ^12:35The good man out of his good treasure brings forth good things, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth evil things. ^12:36I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. ^12:37For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

Be Careful To Speak Words In Harmony With Yah'shuah's Words

Yah'shuah's true disciples should therefore be careful to speak words in harmony with Yah'shuah's words. For it is by so doing that they show themselves to be abiding in Yah'shuah, and thereby bearing much fruit. But if they do not remain in Yah'shuah, do not remain in Yah'shuah's words, but veer off and start speaking their own opinions contrary to Yah'shuah's words, they will be cut off from Yah'shuah and eventually burned in a fire! It is therefore imperative that Yah'shuah's true disciples speak Yah'shuah's words and remain in them. For it is by so remaining in Yah'shuah's words that they will bear much good fruit!

Shaul Continues To Promote The Superiority Of The Unmarried State

Shaul's words in 7:36-40 continue his promotion of the unmarried state as superior to the married state. And he continues to urge those who are unmarried to remain in that state, for being unmarried seems to him to be better than being married. In fact, Shaul thought that these words that he was uttering here in 1 Corinthians 7 were somehow guided by the Mighty One's Spirit!

Did Yah'shuah Declare Being Unmarried To Be Better Than Being Married?

Nevertheless, in Mattityahu (Matthew) 19:10-12 we read,

^19:10His disciples said to him, "If this is the case of the man with his wife, it is not expedient to marry."

^19:11But he said to them, "Not all men can receive this saying, but they to whom it is given. ^19:12For there are eunuchs, who were born that way from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs, who were made eunuchs by men: and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven's sake. He who is able to receive it, let him receive it."

Did Yah'shuah say that it is better to be unmarried rather than to be married, especially when asked such a question by his disciples?

He responded in 19:11 to the effect that different people are given different gifts. Some are given the gift to remain unmarried. But not all are given this gift. For others are given the gift to be married. In his response Yah'shuah did not say that being unmarried is superior to being married. He simply said that different people are given different gifts.

Simply Seek Your Gift From The Mighty One

It therefore appears that a person should simply seek the gift that is most appropriate for him or her, asking the Mighty One to show him or her what is appropriate for his or her life. And having ascertained the Mighty One's will for his or her life, he or she should strive to live according to that will of the Mighty One for his or her life.

For if the Mighty One wills for one to remain unmarried, and one marries, will not that one be violating the Mighty One's will for one? Or if the Mighty One wills for one to be married, and one remains unmarried, will not that one be violating the Mighty One's will for one?

It is therefore my opinion that each person should seek the Mighty One's will for their life, and conduct their life in a manner faithful to the Mighty One's will for their life. Those whom he gives the gift to remain unmarried should remain unmarried. Those whom he gives the gift to marry should marry. Each one should conduct his or her life in a manner faithful to the Mighty One's will for him or her.

Shaul's Words Devoid Of The Holy Spirit's Guidance

Notwithstanding Shaul's thoughts, the examination above has shown that Shaul's words are purely his own opinions DEVOID of the guidance of the Holy Spirit. For his words have been found to be contrary to Yah'shuah the Master's words! Also, his words have been found not to be consistent among themselves! These words of his, whereby even he acknowledged that he was not speaking according to the Master's command, were definitely not the Master's words, and were devoid of the Holy Spirit's inspiration!

Shaul's Words Do Not Bind Anyone

Seeing that they were not Yah'shuah the Master's words, being devoid of the Holy Spirit's inspiration, they do not bind anyone! More importantly, Yah'shuah's TRUE DISCIPLES, those who REMAIN IN YAH'SHUAH'S WORD, should NOT submit themselves to these words of Shaul devoid of the Holy Spirit's inspiration! For by submitting to these words of Shaul they will be departing from Yah'shuah the Master's word, and in the process stop bearing much good fruit!

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© 1999, Isaac Aluochier, All rights reserved. Published by Servants of Yahweh, P O Box 44848, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya. E-mail: servantsofyahweh@serveyahweh.org. Permission is hereby GRANTED to reproduce this and other publications in the Servants of Yahweh web site, http://www.serveyahweh.org, unless otherwise stated.