Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 19:1-12 – New International Version
The following day, after Jesus had completed speaking these things, B) “>(B)he left Galilee and crossed the Jordan River into the Judean region on the opposite side of the river. large groups of people followed him, and he treated them C)”>(C)there. 3A group of Pharisees approached him and put him to the test. They inquired, “Is it legal for a man to divorce his wife D) Is it legal for a man to divorce his wife?” “>(D)for any and all of the reasons?” 4″Haven’t you read,” he said, “that in the beginning, the Creator’made them male and female,’E)” he continued “and stated, “As a result, a man will leave his father and mother and will be wedded to his wife, and the two will become one flesh”?
For this reason, no one should separate what God has brought together.” They inquired as to why Moses instructed a man to give his wife an official document of divorce and to send her away.
Jesus responded, “Moses granted you permission to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard.
Nineteenth, I tell you that anybody who divorces his wife, even in the case of sexual immorality, and marries another woman is guilty of adultery.” “‘If this is the condition between a husband and wife, it is preferable not to marry,’ the disciples advised him.
“The one who is capable of accepting this should accept it.” Read the entire chapter.
All rights are retained around the world. The New International Version (NIV) Reverse Interlinear Bible provides translations from English to Hebrew and from English to Greek. Zondervan has copyright protection till the year 2019.
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Beyond what I see, feel, or hear, Jesus, on the other hand, teaches us all we need to know about marriage, no matter how we were reared or what we have gone through in life. While still unmarried at the age of 25, I’ve had plenty of time to think about marriages that I like and those that make mistakes that I would prefer to avoid in my own marriage eventually. While I currently live at home with my parents and have been raised by two loving and selfless persons, I have witnessed firsthand the devastation that may result from a failed marriage.
I’ve heard slamming doors, scream matches, and curses that sounded like they were pronounced with my last name.
However, I have also witnessed what real, authentic, tenacious, and enduring love looks like from the beginning to the end.
For example, I can confidently state that people in my life have exhibited attributes and behaviors that I, too, would like to acquire one day (Grandmother and Grandpa’s eccentricities as well as their witty repartee included!) Beyond what I see, feel, or hear, Jesus, on the other hand, teaches us all we need to know about marriage, no matter how we were reared or what we have gone through in life.
What Did Jesus Explicitly Say about Marriage?
A number of times in the Scriptures, Jesus provides comprehensive overviews of marriage and divorce. As early as Genesis 2:24, it is obvious that a marital partnership is intended to be formed between a single man and a single woman, and that divorce should be avoided at all costs (unless one is shown to be in adultery) (Matthew 19:1-12). The collapse of Sodom and Gomorrah is highlighted in Genesis 19, and Leviticus 18:22and 20:13 describe the detestableness of a man who sleeps with another man or vice versa.
While there is much more that could be said about this subject, my goal in sharing what Jesus has to say about marriage is not to go into it in depth, but rather to briefly highlight what the Scriptures have to say about a variety of difficulties.
Because of its self-sacrificial love, it not only portrays Christ to the world but also demonstrates that Christ should be at the heart of each relationship (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
As Christians, we love as Christ loves (1 Corinthians 16:14; Romans 13:8; 1 John 4:12), are dedicated to our spouse (Song of Solomon 4:9-10; Ruth 1:16-17), and encourage and support one another in our marriages (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).
They are no longer two people, but one flesh because of this, according toMatthew 19:6, which finishes the chapter.
What Lessons Did Jesus Teach about Marriage?
Beyond obvious allusions, however, Jesus also taught numerous truths and applications concerning marriage. And arguably, exhibited one of the finest models, in His dying on a cross for our sins. The fact that Jesus died for us in our sinful state served as a reminder that true sacrificial love does not count the cost, but gives until it has nothing left in its own bank account. It does not put up with abuse, but it looks for the best in everyone and is kind even when matters get tough. It’s true that marriage is difficult, but Scripture never claims that it was intended to be easy (Matthew 5:45-46).
- God created marriage to help you become more like Christ and to provide you with the most visible representation of Him united with His bride, the Church (Luke 23:33-34).
- (Ephesians 4:2-3,Ephesians 2:8,Ephesians 5:25).
- While numerous imagery, parables, and metaphors Jesus presented connected to marriage, the most significant one I have found is that marriage is the closest connection we can enter into that depicts Christ’s union with His Bride, the Church, in the coming days.
- As part of the wedding feast, a marriage is a contract.
- Today, as we enter salvation with Christ, our names are inscribed into the book of life, and our down payment has been made.
- Sin has so confused the metaphor as to make it unintelligible.
- But if contemporary feminist hermeneutics succeed, the meaning of the metaphor will be obscured for many years to come.”
What Did JesusNot S ay about Marriage?
There are many things that Jesus did not say about marriage, which is significant in light of the many hot subjects that people have asked about marriage. Jesus did not state that marriage was the ultimate objective for everyone. The institution of marriage is not for everyone, and being single does not imply that you are any less of a Christian. You can still be holy and develop in your religion even if you don’t have a partner. As a result, marriage does not bring you to a complete state of being.
When we design our marriages to satisfy longings in us that only God can satisfy, we will always come up empty-handed in the end.
There may be roles that some genders are more predisposed to perform or be drawn to than others, but as Piper says, “gender roles are not binary.” “”There is no ultimate submission to another human being.” The spouse does not take the place of Christ as the highest authority in the woman’s life.
Christ bathed the feet of the disciples after tying himself up with a towel. If a guy want to be a Christian spouse, he must model his behavior after Jesus, not after Jabba the Hut.”
The Big Picture: What Perspective of Marriage Should We Come Away with Today?
In order to reflect His connection with the Church in a pure manner, Jesus created marriage on this earth. God created Adam and Eve with the intention of establishing divine communion before sin entered the earth. Today’s marriage is broken, sinful, and messy, but it is also beautiful, redemptive, and emblematic of the process of sanctification as a result of the gospel. What I have described thus far only scratches the surface of the depth and breadth of conversation that this issue has to offer.
Amber and Agape Resources: The Bible Has Taught Us 6 Important Marriage Lessons We Should Remember 35+ Bible verses for marriage that can keep the flame of love burning bright between you and your spouse The six Bible passages on homosexuality, as well as several interpretations of them The Biblical Context for Understanding Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality, as Provided by Show Hope What Did Jesus Have to Say About Love and Marriage?
What Is the Lamb’s Marriage Supper and How Does It Work?
Related Resource: Wikipedia Wikipedia Wikipedia Wikipedia Wikipedia Wikipedia Wikipedia Wikipedia Wikipedia Wikipedia Wikipedia Wikipedia Wikipedia Wikipedia Wikipedia Wikipedia Wikipedia Wikipedia Wikipedia Wikipedia Wikipedia Wikipedia Wikipedia Wikipedia_ Team Us is a new, FREE podcast on marriage that you should check out.
- Find practical, doable, and realistic suggestions for improving your marriage.
- Amber Ginter is a young adult writer who now works as an English teacher in Chillicothe, Ohio.
- Amber aspires to share her devotion to Jesus and the Gospel through her writing, aesthetic worship arts, and volunteer work, among other outlets.
- She has written for a variety of publications, including Crosswalk, ibelieve, Salem Web Network, The Rebelution, Daughter of Delight, Kallos, Anchored Passion, No Small Life, and Darling.
- Visit her website atamberginter.com for more information.
5 Surprising Things That the Bible Says about Marriage
The Bible is not a book about marriage — at least not in the way that most people think of it. A book about God and humans, the Bible tells the story of how God rescues people through the life and death of Jesus Christ, and how God does so.
In spite of this, the Bible has a great deal to say about marriage, and much of what it has to say goes counter to our current beliefs and norms. The following are just a few of the most startling discoveries:
1. It is about friendship first and foremost
That is the urgent need that marriage was designed to meet in Genesis 2 in order to alleviate. According to the scripture, the LORD God responded, “It is not right for the man to be alone; I will provide him with a helper who is appropriate for him.” (Genesis 2:18 in the English Standard Version) Because it is not healthy for a man to remain alone, God created the institution of marriage. Marriage is first and foremost about friendship, before it is about any other aspect of life. “a helper suitable for him,” as the term “a helper suitable for him” indicates, indicates the type of friendship that God had in mind for Adam and Eve.
- It does not indicate that one is less than others.
- He kills you, O Israel, because you have rebelled against me and against your rescuer, according to Hosea 13:9.
- Instead, it looks to be a private correspondence between two individuals.
- That is the kind of friendship that is depicted in this illustration.
- Two myths that our culture would want to impose on us are laid to rest as a result of this realization.
- However, this is certainly not the case.
- Every man and every woman is a one-of-a-kind representation and resemblance of God on the surface of the globe.
Eve is the female counterpart to Adam.
He is dominant in a situation when she is vulnerable.
Another myth prevalent in our culture is that relying on another human being is a sign of weakness.
It isn’t, and it never will be.
Human beings, according to the account of Genesis, are born with flaws by design.
God created Adam with a built-in inclination that would lead him to seek out close-knit communities of people.
The two of us were practically designed for one other.
We are, without a doubt, stronger together than we are apart. It is said in the Bible that “it is not desirable that a man should be alone.” Furthermore, it is not healthy for a woman to remain alone – and this was the initial justification for the gift and blessing of marriage.
2. It is supposed to last a lifetime
After growing up in a world where everything is disposable, it might be startling to learn that certain items are meant to endure a lifetime. While this is implied on the very first page of the Bible, it was not a widely held doctrine among the Jewish community at the time of Jesus’ ministry. In fact, this is one of the aspects of their Master’s personality that the disciples found the most shocking. “I say to you, whomever divorces his wife, save in the case of sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery,” Jesus declared emphatically in the Bible.
- Divorce was quite frequent in the Roman world, as well as in the Jewish world, during Jesus’ day.
- As said by Jesus, a marriage is intended to continue forever.
- Most Bible readers are aware of one more exception to the general norm of marital permanence, which is found in the book of Genesis.
- 14 14 After all, it is through his wife that the unbelieving husband has been made holy, and it is through her believing spouse that the unbelieving woman has become holy.
- 15 However, if the unbeliever chooses to leave, that is OK.
- 16 How can you know whether or not you will be able to save your spouse, wife?
- (1 Corinthians 7:12–16, NIV11-GK) 1 Corinthians 7:12–16 The second basis for divorce that Paul claims is “religiously driven desertion” might be labeled as such in street level English.
If my husband and I were both pagans when we were married, but one of us has since come to faith in Christ, how would we proceed?
It’s not clear if he (in this case, it would very likely have been a he) would have wanted me to identify as a Christian.
Who knows, you could just end up marrying your husband.
However, if the unbelieving spouse does not choose to remain in the marriage and does not wish to live with a Christian who is active and obvious, the believer should consider releasing them from the marriage.
For example, the Pillar Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7 states that “not tied” alludes to the freedom to remarry.
The only two authorized reasons for divorce recorded in the New Testament are adultery and adultery with children. That comes as a surprise to most of us who live in a society where everything is disposable.
3. It is supposed to preach the Gospel
There is something unique about human beings – and particularly about human beings who are both masculine and female at the same time. According to the Bible, God then said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” “And give them authority over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the skies, over the cattle, over the entire land, and over every crawling thing that crawls on the ground,” God says. So God made man in his own image, in the image of God, and he formed him in two genders, male and female, according to his own will.
- When we read these lines in Genesis, we forget that the first people to hear them were most likely the wilderness generation of Hebrews who were wandering in the desert for 40 years.
- Only one individual in Egyptian history has ever been described to as the image and likeness of God.
- Everyone else couldn’t compare to him, and no one else could represent God the way he did.
- These creatures symbolize him, and they are similar to him in a way that is not true of any other creature on the planet.
- And it is for this reason that idolatry is prohibited by the second commandment.
- Why?
- That was stated by the Apostle Paul.
- 32 “This riddle is significant, and I believe it has something to do with Christ and the church,” I remark.
- Marriage is a multi-point Gospel message, and you are the pastor.
What your children believe about God will be shaped in great part by their perceptions of your character. As a result, it is important to consider who and how we are as married individuals.
4. It should be a place of permission, generosity and joy
First marriages were filled with childlike wonderment and joy: “the guy and his wife were both nude and didn’t care about being embarrassed.” (Genesis 2:25, English Standard Version) That is a very tough state to achieve after having had a fall. On the subject of sexuality, the Bible’s perspective is rather straightforward. Overall, according to biblical teaching, sexuality is lovely within specific parameters, but it is often harsh and degrading when it falls outside of these limits. That is a straightforward and contentious point of view, and it has always been so.
- Christian sexual ethics is sometimes portrayed as prudish, with a preference for saying NO over saying YES – but this is not the case, and it is not the point of departure.
- “The husband should grant his wife her conjugal rights, and the woman should give her conjugal rights to her husband,” the Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 7:3-4.
- In the same way, the husband does not have power over his own body, although the woman has such authority.
- (1 Corinthians 7:3–5 ESV) admonishment Many historians believe that this is the most radical thing that has ever been written on sexuality in the history of the ancient world.
- Roman males had sex with anybody and everyone!
- A Roman man would normally only have sexual relations with his wife while he was attempting to conceive a child.
- It said that a man had an obligation to ensure that his wife’s sexual rights were protected.
- In it, it was said that he needed to develop self-control and live with his wife with respect.
- That is something that should be more well recognized than it now is.
Christianity has never been in sync with the mainstream when it comes to sex, and this has always been a part of what has drawn people to us. We provide a better path, and that should be a part of our attraction to a culture that is confused, unsatisfied, and becoming increasingly fatigued.
5. It isn’t always God’s will
Perhaps the most shocking thing the Bible says about marriage is that it is not something that everyone should or will have the opportunity to experience. There are numerous champions of the religion who were unmarried in the Old Testament, including Abraham, Moses, and David. Some were single because God forbid them to marry – think of Jeremiah, for example – while others were unmarried because God forbade them to marry. Others remained unmarried as a result of being declared eunuchs by hostile foreign governments.
- In Matthew 19, Jesus spoke about these topics and more.
- 12 As a result, there are eunuchs who have been eunuchs from birth, there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have chosen to be eunuchs in order to further the interests of the kingdom of heaven on earth.
- If a person is called to celibacy, God will provide grace in response to that call.
- The disciple must be open to receive what God has given him and to perform the tasks God has assigned him.
- It is clear that the Apostle Paul was affected by this philosophy.
- While serving as an Apostle in the early church, all we do know is that he maintained a celibate lifestyle.
- However, as Jesus points out in verse 7, not everyone has received the gift.
Whatever calling God has for you, God will provide you with the grace to serve him and obey him in it.
It is not necessary to be married in order to serve the Lord.
And he never married, despite the fact that he was the most human person who ever lived on the planet.
It is a positive development – but it is not the only positive development, nor is it a required development.
Additionally, some individuals may bear witness to these events by their happy acceptance of celibacy and sufficiency.
Pastor Paul Carter is a charismatic leader who has a heart for people. Pastor Paul’s Into The Word devotional podcast may be found on the TGC Canada website and on iTunes.
36 Bible Verses About Marriage and Bible Quotes About Love
Are you looking for wedding readings, love scriptures, or wisdom for your upcoming marriage? Read these 368 Bible verses on marriage and love to have a better understanding of the subject. Marriage verses from the Bible are frequently used by couples who want to express their love and commitment to one another while also demonstrating their religious beliefs. For couples whose lives are rooted in their religious beliefs, planning a wedding is more than just preparing for a life together; it entails preparing for a lifetime of worship and spiritual devotion.
- In addition to serving as spiritual and sentimental reflections of the love that you have as a couple, these passages on love from the Holy Book also give you with a method to honor your religious beliefs while gathering with friends and family to celebrate your marriage.
- There is no better word than the word of God, and adding Bible passages about love into your speech can help you communicate more effectively through your faith.
- You no longer have to sift through the Bible on your own to discover the appropriate words.
- With these love verses, you may communicate your feelings of affection and dedication for one another as well as for your religious views.
- 1.
Bible Verses About Marriage
Multiple allusions to the sanctity and beauty of marriage may be found throughout the Bible. Seen through the lens of poetry, its love scriptures beautifully summarize what it means to be in love and to dedicate yourself to someone for the rest of your life. In addition to being an excellent addition to your wedding vows, these Bible passages on marriage also make lovely readings that can help to make your ceremony even more memorable. Consider include more Bible verses about love that everyone may connect to in your reception toast, wedding program, or invites.
- 1.
- And God was pleased with them.
- Isaiah 54:5 says, “For your Maker is your spouse; his name is the LORD of hosts; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; his name is the God of the entire earth.” 4.
- Its flashes are like flashes of fire, like the very flames of the LORD’s presence.
If a guy donated all of the money in his estate as a gift to his beloved, he would be absolutely loathed.” Fifth, the Bible says in Ephesians 4:2-3, “with all humility and gentleness” and “with patience,” bearing with one another in love, and “desirous to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” “Put on love over all of these qualities,” says Colossians 3:14, “because love is the bond that binds them all together in perfect harmony.” 7.
- Ecclesiastes 4:9 (KJV) says: “Two people are preferable to one because they get a high return on their investment: if one of them falls down, the other can assist him or her back up.
- Additionally, if two people lie down together, they will stay warm.
- The book of Ephesians 5:25: “This indicates that men should love their wives in the same way that Christ loved the church.
- 10.
- Breaking a three-stranded cable takes a lot of effort.” 11.
- 12.
The same manner, husbands should love their spouses as much as they love their own bodies. He who loves his wife is also in love with himself. After all, no one has ever despised his or her own flesh, but rather nurtures and cherishes it, just as Christ does with the church.”
Bible Verses About Love
The Bible has a lot to say about the bonds of love and devotion that are formed between people. Bible verses about lovespeak of the perfect love that everyone should have toward their friends, family and mankind, not to mention the Lord. However, Bible verses about love also provide a revealing look at the strength and hope that romantic love can provide. Read more about Bible verses about love here. Though expressing your feelings for one another can be difficult, these Bible verses about love seem to capture the essence of what you are feeling for one another just right.
- 14.
- It is not envious, it is not boastful, and it is not arrogant.
- 1 Corinthians 13:2:”If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” 16.
- Song of Solomon 8:7:”Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away.
- Psalm 143:8:”Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.
- Proverbs 3:3-4:”Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
- 1 John 4:16:”And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
- Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” 21.
- 1 Peter 4:8:”Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 23.
- 1 Corinthians 13:13:”And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
- Song of Solomon 4:9:”You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride; you have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace.”
Bible Verses About Relationships
You will not find a relationship guidebook that will instruct you on how to overcome challenges and enhance the relationships you have with your loved ones (butLastingcan help). Fortunately, Bible verses on love serve as good guides; these passages include nuggets of knowledge that may assist you in navigating the ups and downs of love, as well as conveying your true sentiments to your future spouse. Marriage scriptures and Bible passages about love that are relevant to the issue of relationships are available, and you may choose to include them in your wedding ceremony or readings.
29.
For her worth is far more valuable than rubies.” Thirty-first, Ruth 1:16-17: “Ask for forgiveness if I fail to follow you, or if I turn back from following after you; because wherever you go, I will follow you; and wherever you stay, I will stay; you will become my people, and your God will become my God.
If anything other than death separates you and me, I pray that the Lord would do so for me as well.” Rom 12:10, for example, says, “Therefore, if you are a believer, you are not a slave to the law of Moses, but you are a slave to the law of Christ.” “Be committed to one another out of love for one another.
- 32.
- Furthermore, the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man, the LORD God transformed into a woman and returned her to the man.” 36.
- As long as you are married, you should treat your wife with respect.
- Please treat her with respect so that your prayers will not be impeded.” In addition to these Bible verses regarding marriage, love, and relationships, we’ve gathered theseBible love quotes to assist you add to your collection of love verses, as well as an extra 150 love quotes.
Some verses about love may be appropriate to include in various parts of your wedding, such as your programs, invitations, thank-you letters, and other printed materials. For more marital counseling, Lasting is always available and committed to helping you improve the health of your relationship.
Jesus on Marriage and Divorce
It guaranteed that almost any answer would offend someone and stir up controversy.
They believed that greater obedience to the law would raise one up another rung in the spiritual hierarchy.
Instead, purer hearts might have asked, “Is it lawful for a man to remain married to his wife when there are good reasons to divorce?” The Pharisees wanted reasons to break up a marriage; Jesus responded by emphasizing what keeps a marriage together — God’s way.Jesus reminded the Pharisees of God’s original purpose and design for marriage from creation.
People may fail in the construction of their marriages, but God’s original design for husband and wife is flawless.“Haven’t you read,” Jesus asked the Pharisees, knowing they knew well the Creation account in Scripture, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female?’” God (actually, Jesus Himself — Col.
- 1:3; Ps.
- God designed and created men and women for each other from the creation of humankind.In verse 5, Jesus confirmed that this creation ideal is the reasonanyone(without limiting this to Jews or any other group of people) leavesparentsand cleaves to his or her mate in a one-fleshrelationship.
- In verse 6, Jesus concluded by adding, “Therefore what God has joined together, let man notseparate.” God joins husband and wife together — not civil contracts or a sexual relationship.
- No human being is to separate them.
- They make lifelong vows of fidelity, and God is a witness to these vows.
- This is a continuous command throughout a marriage.
- Yes.
No.
God’s will is that husband and wife remain yoked together as “one flesh.”Did Jesus answer the question of the Pharisees?
What God has joined together, let man not separate.” The Pharisees understood that Jesus had answered “no” to their first question.
God joins them together.
No exceptions.
The Pharisees heard Jesus’ response and believed they saw a contradiction with Deuteronomy 24:1-4.
First, Mosespermittedthe Israelites to divorce their wives; it was not a command as the Pharisees suggested.
The law of Moses was really a damage control measure as divorces occurred.Jesus told His questioners that divorce was permitted under Moses “because your hearts were hard.” Nevertheless, He quickly pointed out, “It was not this way from the beginning.” God never wanted divorce.
And, as Jesus said, this creation law still governs all humankind.Now we come to the most controversial statement of all.
He spoke of two classes of persons who commit adultery: explicitly, husbands who divorce their wives without the cause of “marital unfaithfulness” to marry other women; and implicitly, women who marry husbands who have divorced their wives for reasons other than “marital unfaithfulness.” Let’s review the meaning of the operative words.The word “divorces” is the same term the Pharisees used in verses 3 and 7.
It is the Greek word for “letting go.” Also, “marries” refers to the marriage bond between a husband and wife.
The only divorce that does not lead to adultery arises from “marital unfaithfulness.” Its meaning is critical to understanding Matthew 19:9.There are differing views on whether this word modifies the word “divorces” preceding it or the word “marries” following it.
The proper application of this single term is the most important key to understanding verse 9.
Can it simply mean breaking faith with one’s partner by forsaking the marriage relationship without any sexual involvement with others?
It appears to require more than mere covenant breaking, marital incompatibility, or disloyalty.
No, Jesus did not use the specific word for “adultery” — the Greek root wordmoicheia.
He did not restrict this sin to adultery only, but rejected both it and all other forms of sexual infidelity.
How muchporneiamust a spouse commit before the exception applies?
How does one know for sure if and whenporneiaoccurs, especially since it is usually a secretive act?
The exception could apply immediately upon any sexual infidelity.
It may also require a continuous and unrepentant lifestyle of sexual infidelity with a hard heart before divorce occurs scripturally.
But ifporneiais present and active, divorce is permitted.
Under Mosaic law, witnesses must verify adulterous behavior (Lev.
17:2-7; 19:15-21; Num.
No such biblical requirement exists today.
We must act wisely to arrive at an honest conclusion on this important matter.
Divorce (except forporneia) and remarriage are adultery.
(The Greek root word ismoikaomai, meaning “to have unlawful sexual intercourse with another’s wife; to commit adultery with”.) But does this term refer to a one-time act of adultery or a continuing state of adultery?
One spouse remarries another person; therefore, both parties to that remarriage commit adultery.
Some believe it does not.
At that instant, the remarriage becomes legitimate.
As opposed to a one-time adulterous act, is it adultery that continues while the relationship exists?
3:5-8).
However, if a continuous state of adultery truly exists in the remarriage, who would argue against terminating this relationship?
Many questions arise.
I feel this is a very strict construction.
May a spouse (the “divorcee”) divorced by a mate for reasons other thanporneiaremarry?
What rights does the divorcing spouse (the “divorcer”) have whenporneiahas occurred?
However, by implication, if a divorce is permissible forporneia, then the marriage is broken.
What about the divorcee who is guilty ofporneia?
Jesus does not say anything about this person.
What are the consequences?
Many say that the adulterer spiritually dies (as discussed earlier in this chapter).
Others argue, however, that if the marriage ends in God’s judgment, why would both parties not be free to remarry another as if the marriage had never occurred?
Jesus says in verse 9 that the divorcer commits adultery.
If they divorce, can the spouses ever marry again?
As you can see, many remarriage issues remain unanswered by Jesus.
It appears that we are to answer these questions for ourselves, using the Scriptures as God leads us.
We know Jesus reaffirmed the marriage bond of one woman for one man in a monogamous marriage for life.Porneiais a serious breach of fidelity and trust in a marriage.
By recognizing this exception, Jesus acknowledged that the marriage bond can be broken, but He did not say that a divorcemustoccur after marital unfaithfulness.
Even so, His focus throughout this conversation is not on divorce or the exception permitting divorce.
The teaching that an unscriptural divorce followed by remarriage is adultery is a very hard principle to receive.
Is it better not to be married at all?
If this was the way God viewed divorce and remarriage, why marry at all?
Were they so concerned about sin in marriage that they would turn their back on marriage entirely?
They missed the point.
His focus was always on loving God with all of one’s heart, mind, soul, and strength; that must be the priority in this life.
We have a choice, but it is impossible for people to enter the kingdom of God on worldly resources.
How did Jesus respond?
He only added: “Not everyone can accept this teaching, but only those to whom it has been given.
19:11-12).
This goes beyond the question of marriage and divorce.
Will the disciples trust in God or themselves?
In verse 12, Jesus added: “The one who can accept thisshould accept it.” Marriage is a matter of free choice; God does not coerce anyone into it.
The couple should glorify God through their union as He intended from creation and honor its permanence and fidelity.
7:32-35).
Very likely, they are different accounts of the same meeting — with some differences, however.
If that man marries another woman, he commits adultery against his wife.
If she marries another man, she commits adultery.
But the missing exception in Mark does not nullify Jesus’ statement in Matthew’s version.
The mention by Jesus of women as divorcers affirms God’s view that men and women who divorce are equally accountable to Him.
Joseph Warren Kniskern is an attorney in Raleigh, North Carolina with more than 32 years of experience, who has been cited inWho’s Who in American Law.
This article has been excerpted with permission fromWhen the Vow Breaks: A Survival and Recovery Guide for Christians Facing Divorce(B H Publishing Group, revised edition copyright @ 2008). Which divorce lawyer should you use?