Expert: Joe Norman - 1/15/2012

Question
Hi Joe,

You and I agree very closely on MDR.  I've always had a problem, however, on the use and translation of the Greek word agamos in 1 Cor. 7:10-11 as to whether it means separated or unmarried.  Your answer on 3/2/2011 was very good regarding how the context dictates separation.  However, I would like to know your source or your sources regarding a woman not being able to divorce her husband in first century Rome which would absolutely prove this is separation.  I thought they could divorce their husbands.  As a divorcee and member of the church of Christ, this is of particular interest to me and I look forward to your reply.

Answer
Hi Jeff,

I have done a great deal of research on first century divorces and although many historians and scholars write that ROMAN women were able to divorce their husbands, I did find some "experts" who state the opposite...at least early in the first century. I believe at the time Paul wrote his first letter to the church in Corinth that women did not have the ability to divorce their husbands but I cannot recall the names of those who wrote this to be the case. Some state that Roman women did gain the ability to file for divorce near the end of the first century and this is what I believe was the case.

Regardless of whether or not it can be proven beyond a doubt that women could file for divorce at the time Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, it is still quite clear that Paul was not speaking of full divorce in verses 10 and 11 of chapter 7. The fact that Paul begins by saying "To the married..." is one evidence. It makes more sense to begin with - "To those considering divorce..." or "To the divorced..." Had he begun with "To the divorced..." Paul would have said "you shouldn't have divorced (past tense) but since you divorced you must remain without a spouse or return to your ex and marry that person again". The other fact is that if you are fully divorced there is absolutely no way you can "reconcile" with the person you divorced. You can only marry that person once again.

I am not sure why you have a problem with the Greek word agamos though. agamos is translated as "single" in most cases and nothing more. It can refer to those divorced or it can refer to widows but it can also be used to refer to those separated because in essence they are living as a single person and not as one who is married. Weymouth's wording for I Cor.7:10,11 seems to be among the most accurate. It says - if the woman departs she should "remain as she is or be reconciled to her husband. Another factor in proving Paul speaks of separation rather than full divorce is "to her husband" because if there was a divorce he wouldn't be her husband anymore.


If you would like to continue communicating on MDR with me you can write me at joetenor1066@gmail.com - and I will try to gather the sources once more so I can share them with you. One book I highly recommend is "Divorce and Remarriage In The Early Church" by Pat Harrell.

I hope this helps you some.

In Christian Love, Joe Norman