A.The best approach for understanding and applying the Bible on any subject is to simply accept what the Bible says without adding to it or taking away from it.
“What is written in the Law?How does it read to you?” (Luke 10:26)
B.With this approach, let us consider what the Bible really says on the subject of divorce.
II.WHAT DOES MATTHEW 5:31-32 SAY?
A.The passage addresses “everyone who divorces his wife.”Therefore, this teaching is universal.It is for every husband who divorces (puts away) his wife.
B.The passage teaches that everyone who divorces his wife makes his wife commit adultery.
1.The act of divorce is not adultery by definition, so this is not teaching that divorce is equal to adultery.
2.It is understood that adultery occurs when the divorced wife joins herself with another man.The husband who divorced her has put her in this position to become an adulteress.
C.There is one exception to this law, and that exception is “for the cause of unchastity (fornication)”.
1.Obviously, unchastity by the wife is considered here and not the husband who divorces her.
2.The husband does not make his wife an adulteress when he divorces her for the cause of unchastity because she has already made herself an adulteress.
D.The passage also teaches that whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
1.“Whoever” includes everyone, and no exceptions are made in this text.
2.“A divorced woman” includes all divorced women, and no exceptions are made in this text.
3.The divorced woman here was either divorced because of unchastity and is therefore an adulteress (unfit for marriage), or else she was not divorced for unchastity but will become an adulteress if she marries another.Either way, she cannot marry again without sinning.
4.This may seem severe to us, but remember that under the Law of Moses, an adulteress was not even considered fit to live (Lev. 20:10-12).
E.The practical teaching here by Jesus is in contrast to what the people had been taught regarding divorce.
1.The Jews had twisted the words of Moses (Deut. 24:1-4), but simply writing a certificate of divorce did not release a husband from his wife and their marriage covenant.
2.Instead, the result is that when the divorced wife marries another, she becomes an adulteress and whoever marries her also becomes an adulterer.
III.WHAT DOES MATTHEW 19:3-12 SAY?
A.The Pharisees first question was, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause at all?”
1.The Lord’s answer was, “What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”
2.The Lord’s answer was based upon the law of marriage that was established “in the beginning.”
3.Therefore, it is not lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause at all.
B.The Pharisees’ second question was, “Why then did Moses command to give her a certificate of divorce, and send her away?”Their assumption was incorrect, for Moses did not command anyone to give a certificate of divorce (Deut. 24:1-4).It was tolerated because of their hardness of heart.
C.The Lord’s response in verse 9 addresses “whoever divorces his wife.”Therefore, this teaching is universal.It is for every husband who divorces (puts away) his wife.
D.This passage teaches that everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery.
1.This is not teaching the same truth as Matthew 5:31-32.There Jesus addressed what happens to the divorced wife because of the divorce.
2.Here Jesus addresses the case of the husband who divorces his wife.When he marries another, he commits adultery.
E.There is one exception to this law, and that exception is “except for immorality (fornication).”
1.Obviously, immorality by the wife is considered here and not the husband who divorces her.
2.If the wife has committed immorality, then the husband who divorces her does not commit adultery when he marries another.
F.Notice what is not addressed in this passage.
1.The right of an adulterous wife to marry another is not addressed in this passage.That issue is addressed in Matthew 5:31-32.She is by definition an adulteress.“Whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”Whoever joins himself to her has joined to an adulteress.
2.The right of an innocent wife to marry another is not addressed in this passage.Again, that issue is addressed in Matthew 5:31-32.“Whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
G.Notice that the disciples of Jesus knew that this was a difficult teaching to accept (not to understand).Jesus said essentially that if you cannot accept this teaching, then do not marry.
IV.WHAT DOES MARK 10:1-12 SAY?
A.This passage is almost identical to Matthew 19:1-12.
B.Mark’s account shows that the teaching applies the same to both husbands and wives in verse 12.
“…and if she herself divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery.”
V.WHAT DOES LUKE 16:18 SAY?
A.No explanation is required.The passage is self-explanatory.
B.Notice that no exception is mentioned here.Divorce for the cause of adultery is not addressed.
C.Notice that it is the condition of being divorced that makes a second marriage adulterous.
1.The one who divorces a spouse and marries another commits adultery.This is true regardless of what the ex-spouse does.No exception is made for the case when the ex-spouse commits adultery (marries another) first.There is no “waiting game.”
2.We also see that one who marries the ex-spouse commits adultery, which also means that the ex-spouse commits adultery.Again, it makes no difference which spouse commits adultery first once they are divorced.Chronology has no bearing on this teaching.Again, there is no “waiting game.”
VI.WHAT DOES JOHN 4:16-18 SAY?
A.We do not know why the Samaritan woman had so many husbands.For certain, Jesus knew exactly all that had happened.What we can understand is that the Samaritan woman was married to a man to whom she had no lawful right to marry because of her previous marriages.
B.Notice that this woman was not subject to the Law of Moses, but she was subject to the law of marriage.
1.This is because the law of marriage preceded the Law of Moses and is independent of it.
2.Likewise, all people, including non-Christians, are governed by God’s law of marriage.Marriage is not a church ordinance for Christians only.
3.Violation of this law by anyone is no different than sin of any other kind.When one becomes a Christian, he/she must repent, i.e., cease from sins.
4.If one can become a Christian and continue in a marital relationship that is called adultery by Jesus (Matt. 5:31-32; 19:1-9), then one can become a Christian and continue in a non-marital relationship that is adulterous.That would mean that a man who is involved with another man’s wife could continue that involvement without sinning after he becomes a Christian.Is anyone willing to affirm this?
VII.OTHER PASSAGES TO CONSIDER
A.1Corinthians 7:10-40.
1.A detailed study of this passage is beyond the limitations of this lesson.
2.However, let it be understood that any rightful interpretation of this passage cannot conflict with the teachings of the other passages that we have studied.
3.Some have tried to twist this passage to permit new converts to continue in adulterous relationships, citing verse 17, “…as God has called each, in this manner let him walk.”However, this does not condone the continuation of any practice of sin, including adultery.
B.Romans 7:1-3
1.This passage conforms to the same truth revealed in the other passages we have studied.
2.Specifically, the duration of the marriage law is addressed.This law has jurisdiction over a wife so long as her husband lives.If he is deceased, then she is free to marry (see also 1Cor. 7:39).
C.Malachi 2:13-16
1.The passage reveals the attitude of God regarding divorce, for He says, “I hate divorce.”Certainly, none of us wants to be guilty of anything that God hates.
2.This was written to the Jews, but it applies to us just the same.Divorce makes even our worship unacceptable to God, for it is a broken covenant, a violation of vows, and dishonesty.It is a separation of what God has joined together, an undoing of the work of God.
