Children Of A Mixed Marriage

Q

I have a question about a saved parent being the covering for the child as Paul said in 1 Cor. 7:14. Does this mean children who have at least one saved parent are saved?

A

In 1 Cor. 7:14 Paul said the believing parent in a marriage sanctifies the unbeliever making the children of the marriage holy. Otherwise the children would be unclean.

This verse can’t be about salvation because the spiritual condition of an unbeliever is not changed when he or she married a believer. The unbelieving partner has to ask for salvation just like every one else. And since all children below the age of accountability have eternal life that’s not the issue for them either.

I believe Paul was explaining that the presence of one believing partner is necessary for God to recognize the marriage and make the children legitimate in His eyes. The Greek word translated sanctifies (referring to the unbelieving parent) and the one translated holy (referring to the children) are different forms of the same word. As used here it means to separate from profane things. Both the marriage and the children are recognized as being legitimate because of the believing partner.