1 Corinthians 7:15
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. 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.
Opposition to faith on the part of the unbelieving spouse is not by itself a ground for the believing spouse to end the marriage. Disagreement over the Sabbath does not authorize departure by the believer. The believer is to remain unless the unbelieving spouse chooses to depart. One who entered marriage while unconverted comes under a stronger obligation after conversion to be faithful to the unbelieving companion, however widely they differ in religious faith.
Remaining means continuing faithfully in marital duties and exerting a sanctifying influence in hope of saving both the unbelieving spouse and the believer. That work is to be guided by sincere love for God and for the spouse. It is to be carried out with wisdom, patience, moral courage, fortitude, love and meekness. It seeks if possible to lead the unbelieving spouse to the truth. Loyalty to God stands above every earthly relationship, so the believer must not give up conviction because of the spouse's unbelief. Christ's claims take precedence over pressure to abandon duty to God, even if trials and persecution result.
The permission to let the unbeliever depart applies when the unbelieving spouse chooses to leave. The believer who did not initiate the departure is not at fault and is not under bondage or obligation to the one who departed. When the departing unbelieving wife has divorced herself from her husband, obtained the divorce, and married another man, the deserted husband is free from the first marriage and may lawfully enter a new helpful union in peace. There is no Scriptural ground for breaking up the new union to restore the first marriage, and it should not be disturbed.
The verse also means a believing husband is under no obligation to keep beside him a wife who utterly refuses to keep the marriage vow and will only torture his soul. If she is overbearing, unyielding, uncontrollable, and wholly given over to Satan in temper and will, he may take her home and leave her with those who made her what she is and have no connection with her in any way until she learns her place and duties to respect and obey her husband as head of the family. He must separate rather than be spiritually ruined, lose his manhood, be molded by her, wear out his life, be robbed of God-given talents and influence, and be made discouraged and unfitted for the Lord's service. For God has called to peace, and such a marriage is a snare of Satan that can save neither spouse.