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SHOULD A WOMAN STAY WITH AN ABUSIVE HUSBAND? I occasionally have ladies ask me the above question, which is very concerning, so I thought I'd post a bit on the subject. This is a general principle and truth that I am addressing here. YOU must decide, not I, if it applies to your situation. "And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife." (I Cor. 7:10-11) If you read the standard commentaries on this passage, you get the idea that the departing woman in the text is doing something wrong and that she should remain with the husband. Certainly, the ideal scenario is that the couple work out any differences and remain together. BUT, what if the man is abusive and the woman sees no way that she can continue living with him? She IS the weaker vessel, so the possibility of an abusive husband is there. Should she stay with him, or does God permit her to leave? While the commentators suggest that the departing woman is somewhat wild and unruly, the text doesn't actually say that. It just says, ". . . Let not the wife depart from her husband: BUT AND IF SHE DEPART, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband." It makes no sense for Paul to tell her to remain unmarried or to be reconciled, if her departure was only an act of rebellion, because she would also rebel against THOSE commands. What makes more sense is that the woman at least believes that she has good reason to leave, and Paul allows for it under the two conditions that she (1) remain unmarried, or (2) is reconciled to her husband. In other words, "If things don't improve and you can't return to him, then remain single. Don't be hopping from man to man just because you can't agree to live with one. Stay single." If she stays single, the indication is that she has obeyed God and all is well, which would not be the case, if she was wrong for leaving in the first place. Bottom line: If a man, saved or lost, is hurting you, God has not commanded you to stay in that environment. The man might tell you that you must submit to him and stay, but God's word says otherwise. God wants PEACE (I Cor. 7:15), and He wants you to strive for peace, but if that doesn't work out and you or your children are in danger, you may leave and be at peace by either remaining single or by being reconciled in due time. This preacher knows of no scripture that requires a woman to live with an abusive husband. If any of my brethren DO know of such scripture, please feel free to enlighten me.