Archibald T. Robertson
Robertson's New Testament Word Pictures
1Kor 7,16Kommentar zu 1. Korinther 7,16
For how knowest thou? (τ γαρ οιδασ;). But what does Paul mean? Is he
giving an argument against the believer accepting divorce or in
favour of doing so? The syntax allows either interpretation with ε (if)
after οιδας. Is the idea in ε (if) hope of saving the other or fear of
not saving and hence peril in continuing the slavery of such a bondage?
The latter idea probably suits the context best and is adopted by most
commentators. And yet one hesitates to interpret Paul
as advocating divorce unless strongly insisted on by the unbeliever.
There is no problem at all unless the unbeliever makes it. If it is a
hopeless case, acquiescence is the only wise solution. But surely the
believer ought to be sure that there is no hope before he agrees to
break the bond. Paul raises the problem of the wife first as in verse