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MHeath said:

1 Corinthians 7:14

"For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieveing wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children could be unclean, but now they are holy."



I am wondering about what this verse means. I understand the context of the married couple unequally yoked. Does it mean that if a couple is not married (i.e. divorced, separated etc) that the children are unholy somehow?

Michele

The words "sanctified" and "holy" describe the special characteristic of the home in which at least one of the parents is a believer. In the Old Testament language, the whole family is regarded as being in covenant with God. Even the spouse who refuses to believe comes under the influence of God's work--much more so the children who are not old enough to profess their faith. Accordingly, Reformed theology has viewed this verse as providing part of the rationale for the baptism of children.

In Paul's letter to the Corinthians the word "saints" (lit. holy ones) calls attention to the distinctive status of God's people. Paul often uses the terms "saints" or "those sanctified in Christ Jesus" to identify the Christians to whom he writes. The Corinthians were plagued by ethical problems and this letter touches repeatedly on the subject of sanctification.


Wes

When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride. - Isaac Watts