Pauline privilege
Encyclopedia
The Pauline Privilege is a Christian
concept drawn from the apostle Paul
's instructions in the
First Epistle to the Corinthians.
The first section, "not I but the Lord", matches Jesus
' teaching on divorce, found in the Expounding of the Law
, , , and . The second section, "I say, not the Lord", gives Paul's own teaching on divorce.
In the Catholic Church and in some Protestant
denominations (though most Protestants allow divorce in all serious circumstances), this is interpreted as allowing the dissolution of a marriage
contracted between two non-baptized persons in the case that one (but not both) of the partners seeks baptism
and converts to Christianity
and the other partner leaves the marriage.
It is said that the Pauline Privilege differs from divorce
in that it leaves the Christian partner free to remarry, despite the fact that Paul does not himself comment on the lawfulness of such a remarriage. It differs from annulment
because it dissolves a valid actual marriage, in favor of the faith of the Christian partner, where annulments declare that a marriage was invalid from the beginning.
According to the Catholic Church's canon law
, the Pauline Privilege does not apply when either of the partners was a Christian at the time of marriage. Under Catholicism
, the Petrine Privilege
may be invoked if only one of the partners was baptized
at the time of marriage.
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
concept drawn from the apostle Paul
Paul of Tarsus
Paul the Apostle , also known as Saul of Tarsus, is described in the Christian New Testament as one of the most influential early Christian missionaries, with the writings ascribed to him by the church forming a considerable portion of the New Testament...
's instructions in the
First Epistle to the Corinthians.
Origin
In Paul's epistle it states:The first section, "not I but the Lord", matches Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
' teaching on divorce, found in the Expounding of the Law
Expounding of the Law
The Expounding of the Law is a highly structured part of the Sermon on the Mount in the New Testament...
, , , and . The second section, "I say, not the Lord", gives Paul's own teaching on divorce.
In the Catholic Church and in some Protestant
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
denominations (though most Protestants allow divorce in all serious circumstances), this is interpreted as allowing the dissolution of a marriage
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
contracted between two non-baptized persons in the case that one (but not both) of the partners seeks baptism
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
and converts to Christianity
Conversion to Christianity
Conversion to Christianity is the religious conversion of a previously non-Christian person to some form of Christianity. It has been called the foundational experience of Christian life...
and the other partner leaves the marriage.
It is said that the Pauline Privilege differs from divorce
Divorce
Divorce is the final termination of a marital union, canceling the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage and dissolving the bonds of matrimony between the parties...
in that it leaves the Christian partner free to remarry, despite the fact that Paul does not himself comment on the lawfulness of such a remarriage. It differs from annulment
Annulment
Annulment is a legal procedure for declaring a marriage null and void. Unlike divorce, it is usually retroactive, meaning that an annulled marriage is considered to be invalid from the beginning almost as if it had never taken place...
because it dissolves a valid actual marriage, in favor of the faith of the Christian partner, where annulments declare that a marriage was invalid from the beginning.
According to the Catholic Church's canon law
Canon law (Catholic Church)
The canon law of the Catholic Church, is a fully developed legal system, with all the necessary elements: courts, lawyers, judges, a fully articulated legal code and principles of legal interpretation. It lacks the necessary binding force present in most modern day legal systems. The academic...
, the Pauline Privilege does not apply when either of the partners was a Christian at the time of marriage. Under Catholicism
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, the Petrine Privilege
Petrine Privilege
Petrine Privilege, also known as the Privilege of Faith or a decree in favor of the faith, is a provision in the Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church granting a previously married person the right to marry under certain specific circumstances. The implementation of this procedure is reserved to...
may be invoked if only one of the partners was baptized
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
at the time of marriage.
See also
- Petrine PrivilegePetrine PrivilegePetrine Privilege, also known as the Privilege of Faith or a decree in favor of the faith, is a provision in the Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church granting a previously married person the right to marry under certain specific circumstances. The implementation of this procedure is reserved to...
- Pauline ChristianityPauline ChristianityPauline Christianity is a term used to refer to the Christianity associated with the beliefs and doctrines espoused by Paul of Tarsus through his writings. Most of orthodox Christianity relies heavily on these teachings and considers them to be amplifications and explanations of the teachings of...
- Cafeteria ChristianityCafeteria Christianity"Cafeteria Christianity" is a derogatory term used by some Christians, and others, to accuse other Christian individuals or denominations of selecting which Christian doctrines they will follow, and which they will not.-First use in print:...
- Christian views on divorce