Note 17 at 1 Cor. 7:14: One of the probable reasons that the Corinthians desired clarification on this matter is because many of them were in mixed marriages. Their mates were not only non-Christians, many of them were no doubt involved in worshiping other gods and pagan sexual orgies (see note 1 at Acts 18:1, p. 679). They questioned whether or not God wanted them united with an unbeliever through marriage. Wouldn't that defile them? How would such a marriage affect their children? This verse answers these questions.

The power of the Lord in the Christian is stronger than the power of the devil in the unbeliever in the marriage union. The believer sanctifies (that means sets apart) the unbelieving mate from the defilement that they would otherwise bring into the marriage. The Lord purifies the marriage situation through the believing mate so that even the children are blessed instead of cursed.

Like any of the other benefits of our salvation, this sanctifying power of the Christian mate has to be released through faith. It is not automatic but it is available to every believer so that any marital situation can be sanctified.