The scripture reads, "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." The connection will show that the apostle is talking of husband and wife. Sometimes the husband is unbelieving, sometimes the wife. He is explicit in his instruction that if the unbelieving desire to remain with the believer, let him remain, let her remain. That very thing might be the means of saving the unbeliever, as he or she beheld the faithful life of the Christian. But, on the other hand, if the unbeliever did not wish to remain, no coercion was to be used in keeping him or her. Let him depart. A man is not under bondage to hold an unbelieving wife, a woman is not under bondage to hold an unbelieving husband. God called us to peace; and if they are determined to break their marriage vows and leave, it is not for us to hold them.
