Marriage, Divorce And Remarriage
One of the reasons the Roman Empire "Collapsed" was due to the high divorce rate. Today, in America, Divorce and Remarriage is a national tragedy. About 50% of ALL marriages end in divorce. Millions of people believe marriage has no purpose except to gratify the self. They believe that marriage is the product of custom, and that living in a state of cohabitation without marrying is perfectly "Acceptable." After all, they reason that it is the State that binds marriages, NOT God.
Marriage is For Life-For Keeps and NOT something to be hastily entered into and then gotten out whenever a person feels like it, or when the marriage gets tough or difficult. I enjoyed what someone has written about what constitutes a Marriage: The purpose of marriage is to establish a family and to provide stability for that family. A look at (Genesis 2:24) tells us the following: (1) The offspring of a family are to eventually leave in order to establish their own family; (2) The man and his wife are to "Cleave" together in a Binding covenant relationship "Sanctioned" by Almighty God; (3) the TWO become "One Flesh," that is, the marriage is consummated in a sacred and holy relationship which continues throughout the years, the cementing the marriage bond.
(I Cor. 6:9,10) Paul wrote: Do you not KNOW that the Wicked shall NOT "Inherit" the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor "Adulterers," nor male prostitutes, nor homosexual offenders, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor the drunkards, nor slanders, nor swindlers will "Inherit" the kingdom of God. (Hebrews 13:4) Marriage is honored by all and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the "Adulterer" and ALL the sexual immoral.
Man was placed on this earth for a purpose. He is instructed to reproduce after his own kind (Gen. 1:28). In addition, he is commanded to turn from sin---transgression of the law---and to receive the Holy Spirit. He is required to overcome Evil pulls of human nature, and to be born into the kingdom of God (I Cor. 15: 50-53). Marriage relationship is a type of the spiritual marriage that will take place at the resurrection. This divine marriage will "Last Forever". There will be no "Divorce and Remarriage" in that antitype. Human beings who are the type, need to realize this transcendental purpose. Therefore, there should be "NO" Divorce and Remarriage in the conjugal union.
This is why Paul wrote in (Romans 7:1-3): Know ye NOT, brethren (for I speak to them that know the law), how that the law has dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman, which has an husband is "BOUND" by the law to her husband so long as he Lives; but if the husband be DEAD! she is "loosed" from the law of her husband. So, then, if while her husband LIVES, she be married to another man, she shall be called an "Adulteress" but if her husband be dead, she is "FREE" from that law; so that she is "NO" Adulteress, though she be married to another man.
Those who "Permit or Advocate" Divorce and Remarriage today are, in effect, denying the necessity to be faithful to God and His law. Marriage, for human beings, teaches those who are called to the truth, to fulfill the role of Christ's faithful wife for all eternity (Eph. 5:27). This marvelous purpose is lost on those who cannot learn the permanency of marriage in this physical life.
Marriage is NOT for children, teenagers, or for the immature. The Bible indicates the age of accountability is 20. By that time, most young people will be making their own decisions. The couple should be eligible for marriage by NOT being previously bound to someone else. "Remarriage" by a Divorced person could very well mean the possibility of "Adultery" in any subsequent marriage. In the sight of God a valid marriage occurs when two eligible people sincerely and solemnly take each other as husband and wife with the full intention of establishing a home in perpetuity. Since the ONLY reason Jesus gave for annulment is "Porneia," it would be beneficial to consider the scope of "Fraud" in the consideration of marriage.
What Is Fornication?
In the New Testament the word for "Fornication" is Porneia. It is the distinction from "Moichal" which means ADULTERY. These two are often mentioned together, as both are violations of the Law of God. See, for example (Galatians 5:19). Since fornication applies to "Unmarried" women, as the Old Testament demonstrates, it is clear how this was view by the Jewish community about the time of Christ. We read the account in (Matthew 1:18-21).
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When, as his mother Mary was espoused before she and Joseph came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph, her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was wanting to put her Away, privately. But, while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, thou son of David, fear NOT to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."
Joseph thought Mary, his betrothed, had committed "Fornication" and was Pregnant as a result. He could have exercised his right, as defined in (Deuteronomy 22:23-24), and had her stoned to death, but decided to "Put Her Away Privacy". The offense could NOT have been ADULTERY, because Mary and Joseph had not YET "Come together", or had sexual relationship with one another. While "Porneia" is not used in the context here, it is clear this example could only be viewed humanly as a case of "Fornication," since Mary was pregnant before they came together. Some may wish to argue, therefore, would have been guilty of adultery. The argument, of course, is speculative and proves nothing. Whether the "ACT" was committed prior to betrothal (and concealed from the prospective mate) or after betrothal, makes NO differences. The DEATH Penalty was normally required in both cases. See (Deuteronomy 22:13-14, 20-24).
Porneia refers to "Fornication" is clear from (John 8:41). The Pharisees accused Jesus of being born of fornication, that is, he was illegitimate. The dictionary definition of fornication is precise. Fornication is defined as "human sexual intercourse other than between a man and his wife; sexual intercourse between a spouse and an unmarried person; sexual intercourse between unmarried people; sexual intercourse on the part of an unmarried person accomplished with consent and not deemed adultery." This is why we see a distinction between Fornication and Adultery in Jesus' statements in (Matthew 5:32 and Matthew 19:9).
In (I Cor. 5:1), Porneia is defined as illicit relations between a man and "his father's wife (stepmother)." Looking at dictionary definitions, we can see fornication certainly applies in this case. In (I Cor. 7:2) we find another example of the meaning of fornication. In order to avoid fornication, the Unmarried are told to marry. They are NOT told to marry in order to avoid Adultery; sexual relations occur in the married state, not out of it. We have seen from the old testament that a married person can be guilty of both adultery and harlotry at the same time. But, Adultery is never applied to an Unmarried Person.What is Adultery?
Adultery is illicit sexual activity involving married persons that takes place after the marriage ceremony. Fornication is sexual sin, in general, which has taken place prior to marriage. In the Old Testament, "Zana" can include harlotry, whoredom, and all other prohibited sexual activities. A mate can exercise the "Exception Clause" to put the guilty party away for fornication committed Prior to the wedding ceremony. But, what about an injured party who does NOT discover fraudulent behavior until After the wedding or sometime later? The injured Must take action soon. In such a case God Knew that fraud was there and did not bind the marriage. Upon discovering the fraud, the failure to take action is the tacit acceptance of the past behavior on the part of the fraudulent party. If marriage is then BOUND for life.
Keep in mind, in some cases Divorce "may be" necessary, due to many factors that are a part of present-day society, things that often intrude into the marriage after some period of time. These could include emotional and physical abuse, alcoholism, drug abuse, adultery, pedophile, etc.. BUT
"Remarriage" is NOT an option for those who have been bound in God's sight. Such may find it necessary to Separate, but are NOT FREE to Remarry!!
Jesus Christ The Same Yesterday, Today And Forever
Jesus Christ was the God of the Old Testament (I Cor. 10:1-4). He was the One who spoke to the prophets and revealed His Law to Moses. The Ten commandments comprise this great spiritual law. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb. 13:8). In the "Sermon of the Mount", Jesus magnified the law by expanding it from the physical level to spiritual level. The Old Testament with Israel required physical obedience only. Because of the hardness of their hearts, Moses permitted the Israelites to Divorce and Remarry. But NOT so in the New Covenant.
In (Matthew 5:31-32) Jesus magnified the law When asked why Moses permitted Divorce---the putting away of their wives---Jesus answered, "It had been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let give her a writing of divorcement: but, I, (Jesus Christ) say unto you, that whosoever put away his wife, Except for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall MARRY her that is Divorced committed Adultery." Jesus pointed out that Divorce was not God's intention "at the beginning" when the institution of marriage was ordained (Matthew 19:4). And, Jesus, explained that from now on, under the New Covenant, Divorce and Remarriage is "NO"
longer permitted. Why? The Holy Spirit was NOT available to Everyone under the Old Covenant, but under the New it is. Men can "Overcome" the hardness of their hearts and learn to LOVE and cherish their wives as God originally intended. Therefore, the only legitimate reason for "Divorce and Remarriage" is fornication or fraud on the part of the guilty party prior marriage. In such cases, the marriage was never bound to begin with. God has not changed His law. It is the same law that was given at the beginning (Matthew 19:4-6).
Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever. In the New Testament Remarriage is NOT an option for those who have been BOUND in God's sight. Such may find it necessary to "Separate", but are NOT FREE to Remarry!!
(Matthew 19:1-12) Some of the Pharisees came to Jesus to test him. They asked, "It is lawful for a man to "Divorce" his wife for any and every reason?" "Haven't you read," Jesus replied, "that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said, for this reason a man will leave his wife, and the two will be one flesh? so they are no longer Two but One. Therefore, what God has "joined" together, let man NOT separate." Why then," they asked, "did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of "Divorce" and send her away?" Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But, it was NOT this way from the beginning. I tell you that Anyone who divorces his wife, Except for marital Unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits ADULTERY."
The disciples said to him, "If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is Better NOT to marry." Jesus replied, "NOT everyone can accept this word, but Only those to whom it has been given. For some are eunuchs, because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage "because" of the kingdom of heaven. The one who accept this should accept it." (New International Version)
Matthew was writing to the Jew Christians, who were aware of the dispute between the schools of Shammai and Hillel over the interpretation of
(Deut. 24:1-4) Shammail held that some "Indecent" meant "Marital Unfaithfulness" the only allowable cause for "DIVORCE." Hillel (c. 60.B.C-A.D. 20) emphasized the preceding clause, "who become to him." He would allow a man to "Divorce" his wife if she did anything he disliked even if she BURNS his food while cooking it. Jesus clearly took the side of Shammai (see Verse. 9), but Only after first pointing back to God's original ideal for marriage in
(Genesis 1:27: 2:24) NIV
(Verse. 12) Some have Renounced marriage because of the Kingdom--- Those who have "Voluntarily" adopted a "Celibate Lifestyle" in order to give themselves more completely to God's work. Under certain circumstances Celibacy is Recommended in Scripture (cf. I Cor. 7:25-38), but is Never presented as superior to marriage. (NIV)
God's View Adultery Under The Old Covenant
We read, "If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them "DIE" both the man with the woman: so shall thou put away EVIL from Israel" (Deut. 22:22). Divorce was permitted for other reasons (see for example, Deut. 24:1), but NOT for Adultery. The Penalty for adultery was "Death". Marriage is sacred. The penalty paid for Adultery under the Old Covenant was physical death. Under the New Covenant Jesus did NOT demand immediate death. Rather, He required "Repentance" (John 8:1-11). But what is the penalty for "Unrepentant" adulterer under the New Covenant? Read (I Cor. 6:9-10; Ephesians 5:5, and Hebrews 13:4). Unless atoned for by the blood of Christ, the penalty for adultery is "Eternal Death!"
Paul's Writing About Marriage/Divorce/Remarriage
(I Cor. 7:7-12) I wish that ALL men were as I am. But, each man has his own gift from God. One has this gift, another has that. Now to the Unmarried and the widows I say: it is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. But, if they Cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
In (I Cor. 7) Paul addresses Four groups of Christians: 1) the Unmarried and Widows: 2) Christians married couples; 3) married couples when One is Not a Christian; and 4) Virgins and parents with marriageable daughters.
To the married: I give this command (NOT I, but the Lord): A Wife must NOT separate from her husband. But if she does, she must Remain Unmarried, or else Reconcile to her husband . And a husband must NOT
"Divorce" his wife. (Verse.39) A woman is BOUND to her husband as long as he lives. But, if her husband DIES, she is FREE to marry anyone she wishes, but he MUST belong to the Lord. The Greek word for "Depart" (Chorizo) in (I Cor.7:10) is the same word translated "Put Asunder" in (Matt.19: 6 and Mark 10:9). It refers to a separation in the marriage. It is NEVER translated
"Divorce" in the New Testament. So, in ( I Cor. 7:10) Paul Forbids Christian women to Separate from their husbands. He then goes on to say in (Verse 1), that IF she does separate, she must Remain Unmarried or be Reconciled to her husband. She is NOT free to Marry.
Paul addresses Christian men in the latter part of (verse 11), instructing the husband NOT to "Put Away" his wife. The word for "put away" is Aphiemi, which means the same thing as Chorizo, " to Send away, to lay aside." Like Chorizo, it is Never translated Divorce in the New Testament, and does not mean that. What applies to the wife applies to the husband. Paul makes it clear the wife must "remain single if she Separates". Since "Separation" is the FIRST step in divorcing ones wife, Paul forbids both Christian men and women to take this step.
(Verse 10) I give this command (not I, but the Lord). Paul is citing a command from the Lord Jesus during his earthly ministry that "Married Couples" MUST stay together (Matthew 5:32; 19:3-9; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:18) or from Jesus himself by a special revelation.
(Verse 11) But if she does, she MUST remain Unmarried, or else be Reconciled. Paul argues that in the light of Christ's command she (or he) is NOT to marry AGAIN. Rather, the separated or Divorced couples are to be
"Reconciled." Clearly, the idea is that marriage should NOT be permanently disrupted.
(Verse 39) Bound to her husband as long as he Lives. Marriage is a Lifelong union (yet see the exception clause in Matthew 19:9). If her husband DIES. Death breaks the marriage bond, and a Christian is then FREE to marry another Christian ("he must belong to the Lord").
Adulters/the Wicked Shall NOT Inherit The Kingdom of God
(I Cor. 6:9-10) Know ye NOT that the WICKED will NOT inherit the Kingdom of God, be NOT deceived: neither the Sexual immoral nor Idolaters nor "Adulteress", nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor slanders, nor swindlers will Inherit the kingdom of God. But, you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Spirit of our God.
(Verse 9) NOT inherit the Kingdom of God. (Cf. John 3:3-5) Sexual immoral. Paul here identifies three Kinds of sexual immoral persons 1) ADULTERS, 2) Male Prostitutes, and 3) Males who practice homosexuality. In
(Romans 1:26), Paul adds the category of females who practice homosexuality people who engage in such practice, as well as the other offenders are listed (V. 9,10) are "EXPLICITLY" excluded from God's kingdom.
(Hebrews 13: 4) Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will JUDGE the Adulterer and all the sexual immorality. (NIV)
Apostolic Father's writings: on Marriage/Divorce/Remarriage
After the church had received the power of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), it began, at once, to greatly multiply, and 8,000 souls were SAVED (Acts 2:41; Acts 4:4) to extend itself to different cities and towns of Judea. At the close of the "Apostolic Period," the church has spread beyond the limits of Judea to Macedonia, Crete, Asia Minor (Turkey today), Pisida, Greece, Italy, Cilicia, Pontus, Cappodocia, Bithynia, Spain, Gaul (France),
Britain. The "Successors" of the Apostles, who were commonly called
"Apostolic fathers" were Clement of Rome, Polycarp, Papias, Ignatius, Irenaeus, Hermas, Justin Martyr, Origen, Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria, etc...
(Malachi 2:16) For the Lord God of Israel says that He HATES divorce.
(Matthew 19:9) Jesus said unto the Jews, "Moses, because the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the "Beginning" it was NOT so. And, I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, EXCEPT for Sexual immorality, and "Marries" another, commits "Adultery" and whosoever marries her who is divorced, commits ADULTERY. (I Cor. 7:10,11) A wife is NOT to Depart from her husband. But, even if she does Depart, let her
"Remain" Unmarried of be Reconciled to her husband. And, a husband is NOT to divorce his wife.
Tertullian (A.D. 207), 3.443 Christ plainly "forbids" Divorce; Moses unquestionably permits it. Even Christ, however, when He commands "the wife NOT to depart from her husband, or if she DEPARTS, to remain Unmarried or to be reconciled to her husband," both permitted divorce (which indeed he Never absolutely prohibited) and confirmed marriage (by first prohibiting its dissolution). If separation had taken place, Jesus wished the marriage bond to be Resumed by Reconciliation.
Jesus permits divorce for no cause except for marital Unfaithfulness. Christ prohibits divorce, saying, "Whosoever puts away his wife and marries another, commits adultery. And, whosoever marries her who is "Put Away" from her husband, also commits ADULTERY." In order to forbid divorce, he makes it "Unlawful" to marry a woman who has been put away. Jesus prohibits divorce, EXCEPT for the cause of fornication.
I, maintain then, that there was a condition in the prohibition that Jesus now made of divorce: the case at hand was that a man put away his wife for the express purpose of marrying another. That is, she was put away for the reason to which a woman should NOT be dismissed to obtain another wife. Permanent is the marriage that is NOT rightly dissolved. Therefore, to marry while marriage is "Undissolved" is to commit ADULTERY!
Cyprian (A.D. 250), 5.553 A wife must NOT depart from her husband. Or, if she should depart, she MUST remain Unmarried.
Lactanius (A.D. 304-313), 7.190 He who marries a woman divorced from her husband is an adulterer. So is he who divorces a wife for any cause other than Adultery, in order to marry another.
Apostolic Constitutions (compiled c. 390, E), 7.456 Do not let it be considered lawful after marriage to put her away who is without blame. For Jesus says, "You will take care to your spirit and will not forsake the wife of your youth" (Malachi 2:14,15) And the Lord said, "What God has joined together, let no man put asunder." For the wife is the partner for life, United by God into One Body from TWO. However, he who divides back into two that body that has become ONE, he is the enemy of the creation of God and the adversary of His providence. Similarity, he who retains her who is corrupted by Adultery is a transgressor of the law of nature. For "he who retains an adulteress is foolish and impious (Proverb 18:22). Also, He says, "Cut her off from your flesh. For she is no longer a helpmate, but a snare, having turned her mind from you to another." If a layman divorces his own wife and takes another---or if he marries one divorced by another--- let him be suspended.
Hermas (A.D.150) 2.21 And I say to him, "Sir, if anyone has a wife who trusts in the Lord, and if he "Detects" her in Adultery, does the man sin if he continues to live with her?" And he said to me, "As long as he Remains Ignorant of her sin, the husband commits no transgression in living with her. BUT, if the husband knows that his wife has gone astray, and if the woman does NOT "Repent", but persists in her fornication, and yet the husband "Continues" to live with her, he also is guilty of her CRIME, and a sharer in her Adultery!" And I said to him, "What then, Sir, is the husband to do, if his wife continues in her vicious practices" and He said, "The husband should put her away, and REMAIN by himself. But if he puts his wife away and marries another, he also commits Adultery, and said to him, "What if the woman who has been put away should REPENT, and wishes to return to her husband shall her husband NOT take her back, and he said to me, "Assuredly. If the husband does NOT take her back, he SINS. And he brings a great sin upon himself. For he should take back the sinner who has "Repented". But, NOT repeatedly. In case, therefore, that the divorced wife may Repent, the husband should NOT marry another after his wife has been put away. In this matter, man and woman are to be treated exactly in the same way.
Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) 2.379 That the scripture counsels marriage and allow NO release from the union is expressly contained in the law, "You will NOT put away your wife, Except for the cause of Fornication." And, it regards as fornication the marriage of those separated, while the other is alive." He who Takes a woman who has been put away commits Adultery."
Justin Martyr (A.D. 160) 1.167 All who have been twice married by human law, are sinners in the eye of our Master. She considered it wicked to live any longer as a wife with a husband who tried to indulge in every kind of pleasure, contrary to the law of nature. So, she decided to be divorced from him. But, she changed her mind because of her [Christians] friends, who advised her to remain with him, with the thought that some time or other her husband might give some hope of change.
Novatian (A.D. 235) 5.589 When being inquired of, Christ gave this judgment: He said that a wife MUST not be put away, Except for a cause of a Adultery. Laws are prescribed to married women, who are so bound that they cannot thence be Separated.
Origin (A.D. 245) 9.510 Some of the laws were written---not as excellent, but as by way of accommodation to the weakness of those to whom the Law was given. For something of this kind is indicated in the words, "Moses, because of your hardness of your heart, allowed you to put away your wives." Our Savior does NOT at all permit the dissolution of marriages for any other sin than fornication alone, when detected in the wife. But someone might ask if Jesus allows a man to put away a wife for any other reasons besides her being caught in fornication. For example, what about Poisoning [her husband?] Or what if, during the absence of her husband from the home, she destroys an infant born to them? Or what about a form of murder whatever... Sins of such heinousness seem to be worse than "Adultery or Fornication." To endure them would appear to be irrational. However, on the hand, to act contrary to the design of the teaching of the Savior, everyone would acknowledge to be impious.
The husband can cause his own wife to commit adultery in other way than by putting her away. For example, he can allow her to do what she wishes beyond what is fitting, and stooping to friendship with what men she wishes. And, even he who holds himself from his wife oftentimes makes her to be an "Adulteress" when he does NOT satisfy her desires. This is true even though he does it under the appearance of greater serious and Self-control.
Paul's Writing About Marriage
(I Cor. 7:1-14) Now it is the matters you wrote about: it is good for a man NOT to marry. But, since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife's body does NOT belong to her alone, but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife.
"DO NOT" deprive each other, except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourself to Prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. I say this as a concession, not as a command. I wish ALL men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God: one has this gift, another has that.
Married couples should have normal sexual relations. Permanent abstention deprives the other partner of his or her natural right and may be conductive to temptation. Both husband and wife have conjugal rights and exclusive possession of the other in this area. The Christian deprived of normal sexual activity with his or her marriage partner may be tempted by Satan to sexual immorality. The normal God-given sexual drive in the human being is Very strong.
Paul is citing command from the Lord Jesus during his earthly ministry that married couples Must STAY together (Matt. 5:32; 19:3-9; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:18). Paul must have heard such commands from other apostles and disciples (cf. Gal. 1:18,19) or from the Lord Jesus himself by a special revelation. Paul urges that in the light of Christ's command she or he is "NOT" to marry again. Rather, the "Separated or Divorced" couple are to be
"Reconciled". Clearly the idea is that marriage should "NOT" be permanently disrupted.
The apostle Paul is talking here about couples already married, when One of them becomes a Christian. If at all possible, they should "remain" together, unless the Unbeliever, whether man or woman, refuses to remain. The Unbelieving partner is influenced by the godly life of the Christian partner, so that the family is under the holy influence of the Believer and in that sense is Sanctified. The children at least have the advantage of being under the sanctifying influence of one Christian parent (see Verse 16) and so may be called holy. (Verse 15) The believer is NOT under obligation to try to continue living with Unbeliever if there would be NO peace in the home. If he or she decides to separate she or he is "NOT" Free to Remarry.
One Mate Is A Christian And The Other Is NOT
Next, Paul addresses "the rest" (Verse 12). This is where "One" mate is a Christian and the other is NOT. Paul instructs the Christian partner to keep the marriage "Intact" if the non-Christian is amenable, that is, please to dwell with the converted party. "Let him not put her away," in verse 12 and "let her NOT leave him" in (verse 13) are both from the Greek word aphiemi, used in verse 11, which means that in these circumstances the Christian partner should NOT separate from the "Unbelieving mate." Aphiemi is NEVER translated "Divorce" in the New Testament. Paul tells us that by remaining in such a relationship, the husband or wife, as well as the children, will be set apart for special blessings, and not viewed by God as defiled or unclean
(verse 14).
(Verse 15) is the crucial verse that needs to be understood. To fail to correctly grasp what this verse says has led many to conclude that Paul was teaching something different than what Christ clearly stated in (Matthew 5:32; 19:9). Paul instructs, "But if the Unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is NOT under bondage in such cases: but God has called us to peace" (I Cor. 7:15). What does "not under bondage" mean? Does it means the marriage has been severed, and the Christian partner is "now" free to
"Remarry?"
First of all, the Greek words used for "depart, let him depart" in this verse is Chorizo. To repeat, it is NEVER translate "Divorce." It simply means "Depart, separate, put asunder to place room between." Then Paul says, "... A brother and a sister is NOT under bondage in such cases..." What does this mean? The Greek word used in the expression "not under bondage" is Douloo. It means "to bring into bondage, to become a servant." Like Chorizo and Aphiemi, it is never translated "Divorce" in the New Testament. What Paul writes is that if the "Unbelieving" mate departs, the Christian partner is "NOT" to bound or to remove his or her faith in order to retain an Unconverted mate, nor is he or she obligated to try to make the marriage work. He or she is no longer required, in any way, to serve the heathen desires, or an unbelieving mate. Why? because God wants us to have the peace of mind that comes with service to Him. It cannot come by service to a heathen Unbeliever. Why do we know this text is "NOT" sanctioned "Divorce" read (verse 39). Paul writes, "the wife is Bound by the law as long as her husband lives, but if her husband be "DEAD", she is at liberty to be Married to whom she will; ONLY in the Lord." (I Cor. 7:39). To interpret (verse 15) to mean Paul sanctions "Divorce and Remarriage" makes Paul contradict himself, not Only by what he wrote in his other epistles, but even within the same chapter. Paul did NOT sanction "Divorce and Remarriage" in this verse nor in any of his other epistles.
In (I Cor. 7:25-26), Paul addresses virgins. He says because "of the present distress," it is good to marry. Obviously, some political or economic event had set the stage for such remark. Paul then asks the question in verse 27. "Art thou bound unto a wife? seek NOT to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek NOT a wife." The word "Bound" is from the Greek verb Deo, which means "be in bounds, knit, tie, bind." The same word is used for
"bound" in verse 39. "The Wife is bound by the law as long as her husband lives..." Paul tells the Corinthians that if a "married believer" is bound, he or she is NOT to seek or desire a change of State (Verse 20, 24), and one who is loosed from a wife should NOT seek a wife at the present time. It is one who is "loosed" a divorced party? NOT at all! There is only one way a bound marriage can be "loosed". That is by "DEATH". To say otherwise contradicts what Christ said in (Matthew 19:6 and Mark 10:9), and what Paul wrote in (I Cor. 7:39)j.
The word used for "Divorce" in the New Testament is Apoluo. This word is NEVER used in (I Cor. 7), but it is used in Jesus' statements regarding
"Divorce or the Putting away of a mate" in Matthew 5, 19, and Mark 10 and Luke 16). It clearly refers to "Divorce".
Matthew 1:19; 5:31-32; 19:3, 7-9; Mark 10:2, 4, 11-12, and Luke 16:18. What is clear from (I Cor. 7) is that while Paul addressed a particular set of problems that prevailed in the Corinthian church, NOT once did he contradict the teachings of Christ, nor what he himself had taught previously. What Paul taught the Romans about marriage and divorce? Romans 7:1-3 "Know ye not, brethren how that the law has dominion over a man as long he lives, for the woman, which has a husband, is "bound" by the law to her husband so long as he lives; but, if the husband be "DEAD", she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband "LIVES", she "Be Married" to another man, she shall be called "Adulteress" but if her husband be DEAD, she is FREE from that law; so that is NO adulteress, though she marries to another man."
Who Decides?
There is an assumption that since there is NO Testament example of Divorce and Remarriage decision rendered by anyone, Jesus did not intend for us to take His instruction regarding marriage and divorce seriously. This assumption is incorrect. What the New Testament really tells us is that Christ NEVER gave us the Church, the Authority to "Bind" or "Loose" marriages. The text in (Matthew 18:18) needs an explanation here. Look at the context beginning in (verse 15). The subject under discussion here is what steps need to be taken to resolve "Disagreements" among Church members. See (verses 15-16). If the participants fail to solve the problem, it should be taken to the Church. Most people take "the Church" to mean the "Officiating Ministry". If the offending refuses to heed the conclusion of the Church, then the offender should be Excommunicated. To back up that decision, Jesus told His disciples, "Verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall "Bind" on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall "loose" on earth shall "be loosed" in heaven" (verse 18). The truth IS: This TEXT has "Nothing" to do with a Ministry rendering the decision on "Divorce and Remarriage" cases, That is, deciding who is BOUND and who is NOT. Those who say there is no New Testament example of anyone deciding who is Bound, and who is NOT in the sight of God.
But, Does That Mean No Decision Should Be Made At All?
Attempting to discern the hearts and minds of others is NOT given to MEN or WOMEN, not even Ministers! Only GOD can read the hearts and minds of men/women. Marriage generally involves intimacies so personal that, along with God, only those who have been divorced and remarried are in a position to evaluate the facts. Therefore, it is the duty of the ministers to make known the truth about "Divorce and Remarriage", but it is the duty of the parties involved in divorce and remarriage to decide whether any previous marriages were bound or not. S ome, no doubt, may be dishonest and will decide in their own favor. Others, however, will not. In either case, those who are "Divorced and Remarried" are the ONES who are directly Involved and Responsible!to absolve the problem according to the Will of God. It is NOT the duty of the ministers to decide the Outcome of people lives. People must decide for themselves. To repeat, it is the duty of the Ministry to make plain, the Bible teaching on Divorce and Remarriage. The decision, no matter how painful, rests on the shoulders of those who, for whatever reason, are divorced and remarried. They will be evaluated on their own response, once they "Understand" what the Bible really says about "Divorce and Remarriage."
What is the penalty for the "Unrepentant" Adulterers under the New Covenant? Read (I Cor. 6:9-10, Ephesians 5:5, and Hebrews 13:4). The Penalty for Adultery is Eternal Death!