As we continue our study on 1 Corinthians chapter 7, we are introduced to someone identified as an unbeliever; spoken of when Apostle Paul wrote this letter to Corinth. For us to identify unbelievers we need to read 2 Corinthians 6:14-16. This is one passage identifying two types of unbelievers.
2 Corinthians 6:14-16.14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
In this passage, we identify two types of unbelievers: Belial and an infidel.
The first is Belial.
Who is Belial? Belial is one of the names of Satan. We are introduced to children of Belial in Deut. 13:13.13 Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known;
Children of Belial were people who served other gods. They were evil beings considered worthless. The Hebrew term means worthlessness. Strong’s Lexicon H1100. An example was the sons of Eli the High Priest. 1 Sam. 2:12. 12 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord.
Strong’s Lexicon defines Belial as “worthless or wicked”--a name for Satan. We see these are worshippers of other gods. They believe in a god but not the Living God, Jehovah. They are mean, vial individuals taking after their master Satan.
Today, we would call them ‘agnostics’; those who do not follow Christianity nor believe Jesus is the Savior. The dictionary defines them as a person who holds that the existence of the ultimate cause, as God, and the essential nature of things are unknown and unknowable, or that human knowledge is limited to experience. They do not deny nor acknowledge a higher Deity, they just don’t know if one exists. The Spirit world cannot be proven to them, thus they don’t have an opinion concerning the matter. They will not refuse others the right to believe in spirits; just they will not accept the idea. Therefore, Jesus is not a proven individual having the physical flesh of a man with a Spiritual mind; therefore, they will not accept him.
The second type is identified as an infidel.
Who or what is an infidel?
Strong’s defines it as one who is faithless, unbelieving-- without trust in God. Strong’s Lexicon G571
Apostle Paul tells Timothy one who will not provide for his family is worse than an infidel. (1 Tim. 5:8). Therefore a faithless person believes not in what God will provide for them. They do not believe in a god. Scripture also calls them a heathen.
Today we would call them an ‘Atheist’. The dictionary defines them as a person who denies or disbelieves the existence of a supreme being or beings.
Knowing what the Bible defines as unbelievers, was Paul, at the time of this writing in 1 Corinthians, describing unbelievers as any of the many human names given to Christians in the physical realm?
NO! These names, given to differing believers with major denominational titles, to create their own identification, were not all known. Each of these titles to differing groups were not in existence until many years, some centuries, later. However, we know the church of believers at Antioch were the first to be called Christians. However, all these titles of religious peoples are believers in Christ as the Messiah. Though their differences are numerous (perhaps some more accurate in understanding the truth as God would have them understand) their belief in Jehovah God and His son, Jesus make them believers as Paul wrote unto Corinth.
Now that we have identified believers and non-believers, what are the people of Corinth (and us) to do about unbelievers? Go back to 2 Cor. 6:17-18. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Let us take this passage and compare it to what we have learned from Paul’s first letter to Corinth.
1 Cor. 7:12-13. 12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. 13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
We saw Paul was teaching the believer to not instigate the separation and he gave reasons for that decision. But if the unbeliever chooses to leave, let them.
Why? Vs. 14. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
If the unbeliever leaves, what is to be with the believer? Vs. 15. 15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
Paul says the believer is ‘not under bondage in such cases’.
What bondage? The marriage bond. What else could he be speaking about? This whole passage was developed because of a question Corinth had concerning marriage and the bond of marriage.
Strong’s Lexicon defines bondage as: to make a slave of, reduce to bondage; metaphorically, give myself wholly to one's needs and service, make myself a bondman to him.
Remember the second letter to Corinth clarifying the situation? 2 Cor. 6:14-15. ...what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
All throughout the Old Testament, God tells the Hebrew Nation, His people, to come out from among the heathen; not to bind one’s self with them in any manner--marriage, etc.
God will not have anything to do with iniquity nor Satan and his followers. Mt. 6:24. 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Mankind must make a choice to whom they will give total loyalty--God or Satan.
It is difficult to serve God faithfully and be attached to Satan. (Belial or an infidel)
Let us return to 1 Cor. 7 and verse 16. Here we return to the idea of an unbeliever choosing to remain in the marriage with the believer. 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?
These young converts in Corinth were being baptised perhaps daily; with or without the spouse being baptised at the same time. Perhaps the Jewish people of the congregation were confused concerning the believer being married to unbelievers. (baptised into Jesus Christ or not baptised) The teaching of Christ was being done and as we know, it takes some time to ponder a thought before one commits. Therefore, Paul tells believers to not instigate a separation if the unbeliever wishes to remain. The good behavior of the believer may convince the unbeliever of Jehovah and Christ as the method of salvation.
We have learned the believer must not instigate unrighteousness nor place a stumbling block before them, therefore, we learn why the Apostle Paul says, 17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
What does this mean? If you are called to become righteous, so walk from where you are. If you are called but your spouse is not at the same time, walk in righteousness whether they do or not. Just live in peace. (vs. 15)
So, if the unbeliever chooses to remain, live in such a manner as to save them. If they leave, live a life single, but walk therein.
17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
