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A Different Look At Divorce

Revised: 7/12/04

Divorce continues to be a hot topic of debate and discussion among many Christians, preachers, elders and teachers in the church of Christ. To understand the true concept of divorce and the notion of remarriage all pertinent scriptures must be analyzed and synthesized. When dealing with divorce and remarriage many individuals and camps simply look at the scriptures addressing divorce in the gospel of Matthew and fail to investigate additional scriptures related to the topic.

 

In this particular investigation and comparison of scriptural analysis, we hope to help clear up some areas of confusion in regard to the topic of divorce and remarriage. It is clear that this is a sensitive issue because of the various conditions and circumstances we find ourselves in, in the body of Christ. We prayerfully hope that the following scriptures are examined with a spirit of Christ. 

 

In regard to divorce Christ addressed it in his uninterrupted sermon on the mount with the following words in Matthew 5:31  It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32  But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

 

Moses allowed and tolerated divorce because some Jewish husbands were hardhearted and resorted to physical spousal abuse. Because of this evil stance, Moses allowed the husband to put away the wife out of safety for women. A bill of divorcement was necessary, for it demanded that a person go through a process which included writing, an esoteric practice of that day. The bill of divorcement stood as a deterrent. It also allowed the woman to prove that she was able to remarry without a stigma of being an adulterer.

 

In the church of Christ we are primarily concerned with the process of remarriage after one has been divorced. We must ask the question, is it lawful for either to marry after a divorce, regardless of guilt or innocence? To understand this we must compare scripture with scripture.

 

Jesus continues His teaching, discourse and dialogue by stating in Matthew 19:7  They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? 8  He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. 9  And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.” 10  His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. 11  But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.

 

From the beginning, divorce was not commanded or authorized by God. Adam and Eve were married and divorce was not a part of God's plan. God created one man for one woman. Adam and Eve had something to argue about because their sinful actions changed the world and brought strife to their marriage, but we have no recorded divorce.

 

If someone puts their spouse away for something other than fornication and remarries, they are guilty of adultery as well as the person who unites with them in marriage. In Old Testament times the only true way a marriage could be dissolved was through death. When the person was found in fornication they were stoned. After a spouse is deceased there is no longer a bond and the living party is free to marry again. This may still be the case in New Testament times!

 

Mark 10:1  And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again. 2  And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him. 3  And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you? 4  And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.

5  And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. 6  But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. 7  For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; 8  And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. 9  What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 10  And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter. 11  And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. 12  And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

 

In this particular passage the reason for putting away a spouse is not specified but it does specify that if one puts a spouse away and marries again they make that person guilty of adultery. Man and woman become one flesh during marriage. Eve was made from the rib of Adam and no person would remove or discard a part of their body. It is cared for with love.

 

The Bible states in Luke 16:18  Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery. Again, the cause or reason is not stated. Could this mean that remarriage for any reason accept death is wrong? Keep in mind that Christ said that from the beginning it was not so (divorce). Divorce was never a concept of God. The church is the Bride of Christ and He continues to forgive us as opposed to divorcing us.

 

The Bible also states in Romans 7:1  Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? 2  For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. 3  So then if, while her husband liveth, 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. 4  Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

 

The reason for divorce is not stated but it does indicate that the husband/wife is bound to the spouse as long as they live. This coincides with Old Testament scripture because the marriage was dissolved after fornication/adultery, which resulted in the death of the guilty party. Death clearly looses the living party. If a person marries after divorce, regardless of the reason excluding death, is he/she spiritually bound to their original spouse? This may be the case.

 

The entire chapter of first Corinthians 7 is to be considered regarding proper behavior in marriage and the plausibility of divorce.

The apostle Paul states in I Corinthians 7:6  But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment. 7  For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. 8  I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. 9  But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

 

Although Paul speaks this by permission, he speaks to the unmarried and widows. He does not mention the divorced or those put away. He encourages them to remain unmarried, but if they cannot contain they should marry. What does God have to say to the married? In I Corinthians Paul states 7:10  And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart (put asunder) from her husband: 11  But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

 

From this inspired passage of God, it is clear that He does not want any married persons to divorce and if there is a divorce they should remain unmarried. God's plan for His creation is for all couples to remain married and be long-suffering. Christ forgives His children of all sin and the same concept is to be applied in marriage. If a person wants forgiveness from God they should forgive others as well.

 

First Corinthians 10:12-16 speaks to those unequally yoked. First Timothy 3:1 states  “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach…”

 

How can a bishop/elder have more than one wife? Some have stated that this text is in relation to polygamy. There were those who had more than one wife and of course they would not qualify for the office of a bishop. Some elders state they only have one wife because legally/physically she was put away, meaning that if she was put away she no longer counts in number. She may be put away according to the legalities of a worldly/secular court but spiritually the man may still be bound to his wife (if this took place with two Christians) if she is still living.

 

First Corinthians 7:20-24 may indicate that if a person enters the fold divorced they should remain in this state. This is a debatable position but it may be reality. We must also keep in mind that the general principle found in I Corinthians 7:39 indicates that Christians are bound to their spouse as long as they are living and must marry in the Lord if the spouse dies and they decide to marry again.

 

Final Comments:

Christ instituted the reality of divorce for the reason of adultery (alone). When a spouse engages in an illicit sexual act the marriage is defiled. Under this notion, divorce can be exacted. A disgruntled spouse needs to be cautious of developing a mentality that seeks for an excuse to dissolve a marriage, or is waiting for the first major mistake so they can exit the union. Even if an act of adultery has been committed, the marriage can still be maintained through a spirit of forgiveness. The ultimate design of God is for people united in marriage to remain married, even through trial and tribulation. The only true dissolve of a marriage is death.

 

May God continue to bless your life this day.