Unbelievers benefit from being "close" to believers - 1 Corinthians 7-8

Paul is giving us, in these two chapters, some of the best "practical" instruction for our day. Forget that this was written around 65 A.D. These two chapters contain great stuff for us today. In chapter seven we have great insight into the believer-unbeliever relationship. In 8:14 Paul tells a married couple (with one partner a believer and the other a non-believer) that the believing partner actually "sanctifies" the non-believer. Since the context in this passage is not about salvation I don't believe that Paul is teaching that a "saved" partner acts as a "saving agent" for the non-believer. I believe what Paul is telling us is similiar to the utensils used in the temple. These "instruments" were "sanctifed" by the priest by sprinkling them with holy water, or by the blood of the sacrifice. The priest garments, likewise, were declared holy when treated in such a fashion. What Paul is telling us is that a non-believer benefits by being in the same proximity to the believer. The believer, filled with the Holy Spirit, allows the non-believing partner to receieve the benefits of the blessings God bestows on the believer. That is the reason the believer should not seek to be set free from the unbeliever. If the unbeliever decides to stay in this mix marriage the believer ought not to try to be set free: They have a Biblical responsibilty to "sanctify" the non-believer. Take that opportunity to do what God has given you the priviledge of doing. Sanctify someone today.