understanding marriage and divorce biblical studies and concepts

Understanding Understanding marriage and marriage and divorcedivorce

Biblical studies and Biblical studies and conceptsconcepts

The simplicity of marriageThe simplicity of marriage Gen 2:23 – “For this reason a man shall leave Gen 2:23 – “For this reason a man shall leave

his father and his mother, and be joined to his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.”his wife; and they shall become one flesh.”

Eph 5:25-29 – Eph 5:25-29 – ““Husbands, love your wives, Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her … So husbands ought also Himself up for her … So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does does the church”the church”

The simplicity of marriageThe simplicity of marriage Mtt. 19:9 - “And I say to you, whoever Mtt. 19:9 - “And I say to you, whoever

divorces his wife, except for immorality, divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits and marries another woman commits adultery." adultery."

Mtt. 5:31-32 "It was said, 'Mtt. 5:31-32 "It was said, 'WHOEVER WHOEVER SENDS HIS WIFE AWAY, LET HIM GIVE HER SENDS HIS WIFE AWAY, LET HIM GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCEA CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE'; but I say to '; but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for except for the the reason of unchastity, makes reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”a divorced woman commits adultery.”

Applications: “the guilty Applications: “the guilty party”party”

““whoever marries a divorced whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”woman commits adultery.” ASV – “her when she is put away”ASV – “her when she is put away” Young’s literal – “her who hath been Young’s literal – “her who hath been

put away”put away” KJV – “her that is divorced”KJV – “her that is divorced” ““A divorced woman” or “THE divorced A divorced woman” or “THE divorced

woman”?woman”?


If “A” divorced woman…If “A” divorced woman… Mtt. 5:32 would refer to ANY divorced woman, Mtt. 5:32 would refer to ANY divorced woman,

regardless of her circumstanceregardless of her circumstance Inference – Mark 10:11-12, principle applies to Inference – Mark 10:11-12, principle applies to

man and womanman and woman Teaching: anyone who marries one who is Teaching: anyone who marries one who is

“put away” (I.e. divorced) commits adultery“put away” (I.e. divorced) commits adultery Inference: the one who is put away also Inference: the one who is put away also

commits adultery (if “makes her commit commits adultery (if “makes her commit adultery does not already teach this) – if there adultery does not already teach this) – if there is no bond, there is no adultery!is no bond, there is no adultery!


If “THE” divorced woman…If “THE” divorced woman… Mtt. 5:32 would refer to the divorced woman in Mtt. 5:32 would refer to the divorced woman in

questionquestion Teaching on marrying “one who is put away” would Teaching on marrying “one who is put away” would

be specific to marrying one who has been put away be specific to marrying one who has been put away but who is still bound – a “scriptural” divorce not but who is still bound – a “scriptural” divorce not discussed herediscussed here

Is this a license for the guilty party to remarry?Is this a license for the guilty party to remarry? Silence of scripture = no direct commandSilence of scripture = no direct command ““Necessary inference” = no alternate reasonable Necessary inference” = no alternate reasonable

explanationsexplanations Principals: the law, NOT man, may bind and loose!Principals: the law, NOT man, may bind and loose!


What does “silence of scripture” mean?What does “silence of scripture” mean? Rom 14:22-23 – “The faith which you have, have Rom 14:22-23 – “The faith which you have, have

as your own conviction before God. Happy is he as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. approves. But he who doubts is condemned But he who doubts is condemned if he eatsif he eats, because , because his eating is his eating is not from faith; not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.”and whatever is not from faith is sin.”

Is our conviction based on faith, or on justifying Is our conviction based on faith, or on justifying ourselves?ourselves?

Faith must be based in the word, Rom. 10:14, Faith must be based in the word, Rom. 10:14, not my own emotions or logicnot my own emotions or logic

Applications: “mental Applications: “mental divorce”divorce”

Remarriage justified for the “put away”Remarriage justified for the “put away” One spouse divorces another for One spouse divorces another for

unscriptural reasonsunscriptural reasons Because the two are still bound, God still Because the two are still bound, God still

views them as married – divorce is not views them as married – divorce is not recognizedrecognized

When the spouse remarries, he then When the spouse remarries, he then commits adultery allowing the other party commits adultery allowing the other party to “mentally divorce” for adultery and to “mentally divorce” for adultery and remarry safelyremarry safely


Does God recognize divorce? (John 4)Does God recognize divorce? (John 4) Deut. 24:1-4 – God recognizes divorce (regardless of Deut. 24:1-4 – God recognizes divorce (regardless of

approval) and forbids remarriage once the woman has approval) and forbids remarriage once the woman has been defiled by a second marriagebeen defiled by a second marriage

1 Cor 7:10-11 – “… the wife should not leave her 1 Cor 7:10-11 – “… the wife should not leave her husbandhusband (but if she does leave, (but if she does leave, she must remain she must remain unmarriedunmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband),”, or else be reconciled to her husband),”

Rom 7:3 – “So then, if Rom 7:3 – “So then, if while her husband is living she while her husband is living she is joined to another manis joined to another man, she shall be called an , she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man.”joined to another man.”

““Still bound,” doesn’t mean still married!Still bound,” doesn’t mean still married!


First principals: Does it violate a First principals: Does it violate a specific command?specific command? Whoever divorces his wife except for Whoever divorces his wife except for

fornication fornication makes her commit adulterymakes her commit adultery, , Mtt. 5:31-32Mtt. 5:31-32

Is there an exception? Only the law can Is there an exception? Only the law can provide!provide!

Uncertainty over terminology should never Uncertainty over terminology should never be taken as license!be taken as license!

Applications: “a clean Applications: “a clean slate”slate”

When an unbeliever is baptized, what When an unbeliever is baptized, what happens to his marriage bond?happens to his marriage bond? 2 Cor 5:16-18 – “Therefore from now on we recognize 2 Cor 5:16-18 – “Therefore from now on we recognize

no one according to the flesh; even though we have no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way Him in this way no longer. Therefore if anyone is in no longer. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, Christ, he is he is a new creature; the old things passed a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”away; behold, new things have come.”

1 Cor 7:17-18 – “Only, as the Lord has assigned to 1 Cor 7:17-18 – “Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And so I direct in all the churches.”him walk. And so I direct in all the churches.”

V. V. 20 – “20 – “Each man must remain in that condition in Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called.”which he was called.”


Is the alien sinner amenable to God’s Is the alien sinner amenable to God’s marriage law?marriage law? First principles – when was marriage established?First principles – when was marriage established? Lev 18:24-25 – “Do not defile yourselves by any of these Lev 18:24-25 – “Do not defile yourselves by any of these

things; for by all these the nations which I am casting things; for by all these the nations which I am casting out before you have become defiled. For the land has out before you have become defiled. For the land has become defiled, therefore I have brought its punishment become defiled, therefore I have brought its punishment upon it, so the land has spewed out its inhabitants.”upon it, so the land has spewed out its inhabitants.”

Sexual activity with blood relatives, in-laws, child sacrifice, Sexual activity with blood relatives, in-laws, child sacrifice, homosexuality, bestiality – all condemned under Mosaic homosexuality, bestiality – all condemned under Mosaic law, none specifically applied to Gentileslaw, none specifically applied to Gentiles

God’s marriage law, all subsequent violations and God’s marriage law, all subsequent violations and depravities date back to creationdepravities date back to creation

Applications: “a clean slate”Applications: “a clean slate” John 6:17 - “For Herod himself had sent and John 6:17 - “For Herod himself had sent and

had John arrested and bound in prison on had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because he had married her. For Philip, because he had married her. For John had been saying to Herod, ‘It is not John had been saying to Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.’”lawful for you to have your brother's wife.’” Herodias was the wife of her half-uncle, Herod Herodias was the wife of her half-uncle, Herod

Philip I, but she left him to marry another half-Philip I, but she left him to marry another half-uncle, his brother, Herod Antipas. Herod Antipas uncle, his brother, Herod Antipas. Herod Antipas was already married to the daughter of Aretas, was already married to the daughter of Aretas, king of Arabia, but he sent this wife away. king of Arabia, but he sent this wife away. (Wycliffe)(Wycliffe)


Who were the Herods? (Nelson)Who were the Herods? (Nelson) The Herodian dynasty made its way into The Herodian dynasty made its way into

Palestine through Antipater, an Idumean by Palestine through Antipater, an Idumean by descent. descent. The Idumeans were of Edomite The Idumeans were of Edomite stockstock as descendants of Esau. as descendants of Esau.

Herod Antipas Herod Antipas ((4 B.C.4 B.C.- - A.D. 39A.D. 39). Antipas, ). Antipas, another of Herod the Great's sons, began as another of Herod the Great's sons, began as tetrarch over Galilee and Perea. Herod Antipas tetrarch over Galilee and Perea. Herod Antipas was first married to the daughter of Aretas, an was first married to the daughter of Aretas, an Arabian king of Petrae. But he became Arabian king of Petrae. But he became infatuated with Herodias, the wife of his half-infatuated with Herodias, the wife of his half-brother, Philip I. The two eloped together, brother, Philip I. The two eloped together, although both were married at the time. although both were married at the time.


Who were the Herods? (Unger)Who were the Herods? (Unger) By conquest John Hyrcanus brought the By conquest John Hyrcanus brought the

Idumaeans into the Jewish state about Idumaeans into the Jewish state about 130 130 B.C.B.C., and as they conformed to the Jewish rite , and as they conformed to the Jewish rite of circumcision they embraced the Jewish of circumcision they embraced the Jewish religion. However, the Jews regarded the religion. However, the Jews regarded the Idumaeans with considerable suspicion and Idumaeans with considerable suspicion and prejudice, calling them "half Jews" (prejudice, calling them "half Jews" (Ant. Ant. 14.15 14.15 .2). J.2). J

Herod was not a Jew, and he certainly was Herod was not a Jew, and he certainly was not an active follower of Jehovah – so why not an active follower of Jehovah – so why did John concern himself?did John concern himself?


If a non-Christian is not amenable to God’s If a non-Christian is not amenable to God’s marriage law, why ANY law?marriage law, why ANY law? ““Where there is no law, there is no violation”, Rom. Where there is no law, there is no violation”, Rom.

4:154:15 Rom 7:7-8 – “What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? Rom 7:7-8 – “What shall we say then? Is the Law sin?

May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, ""YOU SHALL NOT COVETYOU SHALL NOT COVET." But sin, taking opportunity ." But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; of every kind; for apart from the Law sin for apart from the Law sin is is deaddead.”.”

If Christ’s commandments applied only to Christians, If Christ’s commandments applied only to Christians, why did the world need to be saved???why did the world need to be saved???


Point 1: ALL of God’s commandments are given Point 1: ALL of God’s commandments are given to all men, disobedience is sinto all men, disobedience is sin Matt 28:18-20 – “And Jesus came up and spoke to Matt 28:18-20 – “And Jesus came up and spoke to

them, saying, "them, saying, "All authorityAll authority has been given to Me in has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, of all the nations, baptizing thembaptizing them in the name of the in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;”to observe all that I commanded you;”

As already seen, God created man and woman for As already seen, God created man and woman for marriage, sanctifies ALL marriage bonds (I Cor. 7:14, marriage, sanctifies ALL marriage bonds (I Cor. 7:14, Mtt. 19:4)Mtt. 19:4)

A non-Christian is not excused from the sin of A non-Christian is not excused from the sin of adultery, nor any other sin! I Cor. 6:9-11adultery, nor any other sin! I Cor. 6:9-11


““But you were washed!!”But you were washed!!” 1 Cor 6:17-20 – “But the one who joins himself to the 1 Cor 6:17-20 – “But the one who joins himself to the

Lord is one spirit Lord is one spirit with Him. with Him. Flee immorality. Every Flee immorality. Every other other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. Or do you not immoral man sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?”not your own?”

1 Peter 4:1-2 – “because he who has suffered in the 1 Peter 4:1-2 – “because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.”the will of God.”

““Remain the condition” I Cor. 7:24 – refers to non-sinful Remain the condition” I Cor. 7:24 – refers to non-sinful statesstates


1 Cor 6:9-11 – “Or do you not know that the 1 Cor 6:9-11 – “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor nor the the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”


Does a thief or swindler have the right to Does a thief or swindler have the right to maintain possession of what is not lawfully his?maintain possession of what is not lawfully his? Luke 19:8-10 – “Zaccheus stopped and said to the Luke 19:8-10 – “Zaccheus stopped and said to the

Lord, ‘Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give Lord, ‘Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.’ And anything, I will give back four times as much.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. For the house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.’”was lost.’”

How then can an adulterer do the same?How then can an adulterer do the same? It is not lawfulIt is not lawful for me to be married to someone who for me to be married to someone who

is bound by God to another womanis bound by God to another woman

Applying God’s wordApplying God’s word God does not give us specific examples God does not give us specific examples

because he does not have tobecause he does not have to Do I seek God intent on understanding His will, or Do I seek God intent on understanding His will, or

to justify myself?to justify myself? 2 Tim 4:3-5 – “For the time will come when they 2 Tim 4:3-5 – “For the time will come when they

will not endure sound doctrine; but will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting wanting to to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.”and will turn aside to myths.”

The simple way to avoid the problem – honor The simple way to avoid the problem – honor and revere marriage!and revere marriage!

understanding marriage and divorce biblical studies and concepts

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