ACC ~ 1 Corinthians 7 v14a

THE BELIEVING SPOUSE SANCTIFIES THE UNBELIEVING SPOUSE. ORIGEN: Husband and wife are one in the same way that wine and water are one when they are mixed together. Just as the believing partner sanctifies the unbelieving one, so the unbelieving partner corrupts the believing one. This is why a man who is not yet married should consider very carefully and either not marry at all or marry only in the Lord. COMMENTARY ON 1 CORINTHIANS 3.36.2-5.

PROTECTION FROM DETESTING CHRIST. AMBROSIASTER: These unbelievers have the benefit of good will, which protects them from detesting the name of Christ. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN A HARLOT AND A SPOUSE. CHRYSOSTOM: If a man joined to a harlot is one body with her, then it is clear that a woman joined to an idolater is one body with him. That is true, but in this case she does not become unclean as a result. On the contrary, her cleanness overcomes the uncleanness of her husband, just as the cleanness of a believing husband overcomes the uncleanness of his unbelieving wife. How can this be, if a husband is not condemned for casting out a wife who has played the harlot? The reason is that in this case there is hope that the lost member may be saved through the marriage, whereas in the other case, the marriage has already been dissolved through harlotry. An unbelieving man may be reclaimed by his believing wife if she is faithful to him. But for a harlot things are not so easy, because how can she reclaim someone whom she has wronged? The same is true for a believing husband who has an unbelieving wife. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 19.4.

1 Cor