What does Paul say a believer should do if they are married to an unbeliever?
Paul instructs the believer to remain in the marriage rather than break it up if at all possible. The believing spouse should hang in there with the unbelieving partner and live an exemplary Christian life, trusting that the unbeliever may eventually open their heart to the Gospel and the home be restored.
Les explains that this is all Paul is saying: if a wife or husband finds themselves still in a marriage relationship with a rank pagan unbeliever, they should hang in there. Paul says don't break up the marriage if at all possible, but instead live the example so that the day will come when the unbelieving spouse will open their heart to the Gospel. Then they can again have a happy marriage relationship and a happy home, and of course the children will more than likely follow suit. Les illustrates this with a story of a woman whose believing friend stopped in for coffee one morning and, in the process, led her to the Lord; they are still living the exemplary Christian life together today, which is his proof that it works.