What is the context?
Paul now addresses a marriage in which one spouse believes and the other does not. If the unbelieving spouse is willing to continue living together, the believer must not end the marriage because of that difference.
His words I, not the Lord distinguish this situation from the teaching of Jesus he has just recalled. Paul is giving direction for a question the church now faces, rather than dismissing his own instruction as unimportant.
The language of being sanctified and holy answers concern about the household’s standing. Paul still calls the spouse unbelieving, so he is not saying the marriage automatically gives that person faith or salvation. The believer need not treat the marriage or its children as defiled simply because only one spouse has come to Christ.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Christians commonly read this as a reason to preserve an existing marriage with a willing unbelieving spouse. They differ over the holiness of the children and how it relates to baptism.
Calvin’s comment on verse 14 connects their holiness with the blessing of God’s covenant and supports giving them baptism. The Reformed Westminster Confession 28.4–5 calls for baptism of infants with one or both parents believing, while denying that everyone baptized is necessarily born anew.
The Baptist 1689 Confession 29.2 limits baptism to those who profess repentance, faith and obedience to Christ. Baptist commentator John Gill’s note on verse 14 reads the holiness language here as affirming the marriage and the children’s legitimacy, rather than establishing infant baptism. That is his explanation of the verse, not a single interpretation required of every Baptist.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
1 Peter 3:1–6 also addresses wives whose husbands do not believe the word. It describes how reverent conduct and a gentle spirit can bear witness within a household.
This connection shows a purpose beyond simply keeping a marriage intact. Faith can become visible through daily life among people close to the believer. It gives reason for hope without making one person responsible for producing another person’s faith or promising that every spouse will be converted.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.