Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage

As we begin the study of marriage , divorce, and remarriage ; one thing must be maintained. That whatever you or I belive the scriptures teach, it is God who is The Ultimate Judge of the matter. Peter relates "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" 2 Pet. 1:21

The scriptures are written to all mankind and is applicable to all mankind. God did not approve of ignorance, but called all men to repent and serve Him. I might emphasize -- HIS WAY -- . As we review these scriptures and make comments, keep these things in mind.

Hebrews 13:4 (KJV) "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge."

God will judge everyone. We may not know those who choose to live in unlawful marriages; we may come up with various reasons how to let people remain in marriages that God does not recognize. We may appeal to concience, scriptures taken out of context, loopholes, or current social standards, or differing interpretations. Whatever the case God will reveal every sin in judgement. Therefore we need to be very careful in the interpretation of this matter, because souls of men and women are dependant upon the interpretation we might think or teach is correct. We must study carefully everything the Bible teaches on this subject.

I would not want to deceive anyone into thinking they are right with God if they are on the path to hell.

The first question is: Where does our authority comes from?

Hebrews 1:1-2 (KJV) "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;"

Jesus the Son of God is appointed for us to follow.

Hebrews 2:1-4 (KJV) "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?"

We musts pay close heed to the words of Jesus and His Holy Apostles on all subjects including this one.

John 12:35-36 (KJV) Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them."

John spoke of Jesus as being the True Light. Jesus told us that His followers were lights to the world. The following passages are used to illustrate that Jesus is the authority we have in every situation, and Jesus is the final authority on this subject.

John 12:44-50 (KJV) "Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak."

John 14:10 (KJV) "Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works."

John 14:21 (KJV) "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."

John 14:23-24 (KJV) "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me."

And, finally for emphasis sake:

John 12:48 (KJV) "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day."

Jesus is God's spokesperson to tell man God's laws.

The words of Jesus will judge us whether it be concerning salvation, repentance, or marriage,divorce, and re-marriage.

The principle passages of this study:

Matthew 5:31-32 (KJV) "It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 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."

Matthew 19:3-9 (KJV) "The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? 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. 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."

Luke 16:18 (KJV) "Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.

Mark 10:6-12 (KJV) "But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

The following section is a breakdown using the Greek words of some of the passages under consideration.

Mark 10:12 (HG)

. ean:G1437 . gune:G1135 . apoluo:G630 apoluo:G630 . aner:G435 . . gameo:G1060 . allos:G243 . moichao:G3429 moichao:G3429

AND IF

1437. ean, eh-an'; from G1487 and G302; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty:--before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-) soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, [who-] so (-ever). See G3361.

A WOMAN

1135. gune, goo-nay'; prob. from the base of G1096; a woman; spec. a wife:--wife, woman.

SHALL PUT AWAY

630. apoluo, ap-ol-oo'-o; from G575 and G3089; to free fully, i.e. (lit.) relieve, release, dismiss (reflex. depart), or (fig.) let die, pardon, or (spec.) divorce:--(let) depart, dismiss, divorce, forgive, let go, loose, put (send) away, release, set at liberty.

HER HUSBAND

435. aner, an'-ayr; a prim. word [comp. G444]; a man (prop. as an individual male):--fellow, husband, man, sir.

AND BE MARRIED

1060. gameo, gam-eh'-o; from G1062; to wed (of either sex):--marry (a wife).

TO ANOTHER

243. allos, al'-los; a prim. word; "else," i.e. different (in many applications):--more, one (another), (an-, some an-) other (-s, -wise).

SHE COMMITTEH ADULTERY.

3429. moichao, moy-khah'-o; from G3432; (mid.) to commit adultery:--commit adultery.

Luke 16:18 (HG)

pas:G3956- ho:G3588 apoluo:G630 apoluo:G630 . gune:G1135 . gameo:G1060 heteros:G2087 moicheuo:G3431 moicheuo:G3431 . pas:G3956 - ho:G3588 gameo:G1060 . . . apoluo:G630 apoluo:G630 . . aner:G435 moicheuo:G3431 moicheuo:G3431

WHOSOEVER

3956. pas, pas; includ. all the forms of declension; appar. a prim. word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means) alway (-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no (-thing), X throughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.

3588. ho, ho; includ. the fem., he, hay; and the neut., to, to, in all their inflections; the def. article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.

PUTTETH AWAY

630. apoluo, ap-ol-oo'-o; from G575 and G3089; to free fully, i.e. (lit.) relieve, release, dismiss (reflex. depart), or (fig.) let die, pardon, or (spec.) divorce:--(let) depart, dismiss, divorce, forgive, let go, loose, put (send) away, release, set at liberty.

WIFE

1135. gune, goo-nay'; prob. from the base of G1096; a woman; spec. a wife:--wife, woman.

Marries

1060. gameo, gam-eh'-o; from G1062; to wed (of either sex):--marry (a wife).

ANOTHER

2087. heteros, het'-er-os; of uncert. affin.; (an-, the) other or different:--altered, else, next (day), one, (an-) other, some, strange.

COMMITTETH ADULTERY

3431. moicheuo, moy-khyoo'-o; from G3432; to commit adultery:--commit adultery.

WHOSOEVER

3956. pas, pas; includ. all the forms of declension; appar. a prim. word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means) alway (-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no (-thing), X throughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.

THAT ONE

3588. ho, ho; includ. the fem., he, hay; and the neut., to, to, in all their inflections; the def. article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.

MARRIETH

1060. gameo, gam-eh'-o; from G1062; to wed (of either sex):--marry (a wife).

(WHO IS ) PUT AWAY

630. apoluo, ap-ol-oo'-o; from G575 and G3089; to free fully, i.e. (lit.) relieve, release, dismiss (reflex. depart), or (fig.) let die, pardon, or (spec.) divorce:--(let) depart, dismiss, divorce, forgive, let go, loose, put (send) away, release, set at liberty.

HE

435. aner, an'-ayr; a prim. word [comp. G444]; a man (prop. as an individual male):--fellow, husband, man, sir.

COMMITTETH ADULTERY

3431. moicheuo, moy-khyoo'-o; from G3432; to commit adultery:--commit adultery.

Matthew 5:32 (HG)

. . lego:G3004 . . . hos:G3739 - an:G302 . apoluo:G630 apoluo:G630 . gune:G1135 parektos:G3924 . . logos:G3056 . porneia:G4202 poieo:G4160 . . moichao:G3429 moichao:G3429 . hos:G3739 - ean:G1437 . gameo:G1060 . . . apoluo:G630 moichao:G3429 moichao:G3429

I TELL YOU

3004. lego, leg'-o; a prim. verb; prop. to "lay" forth, i.e. (fig.) relate (in words [usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas G2036 and G5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while G4483 is prop. to break silence merely, and G2980 means an extended or random harangue]); by impl. to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say (-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.

THAT

3739. hos, hos; includ. fem., he, hay; and neut., ho, ho; prob. a prim. word (or perh. a form of the art. G3588); the rel. (sometimes demonstrative) pron., who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who (-m, -se), etc. See also G3757.

WHOSOEVER

302. an, an; a prim. particle, denoting a supposition, wish, possibility or uncertainty:--[what-, where-, whither-, who-]soever. Usually unexpressed except by the subjunctive or potential mood. Also contr. for G1437.

SHALL PUT AWAY

630. apoluo, ap-ol-oo'-o; from G575 and G3089; to free fully, i.e. (lit.) relieve, release, dismiss (reflex. depart), or (fig.) let die, pardon, or (spec.) divorce:--(let) depart, dismiss, divorce, forgive, let go, loose, put (send) away, release, set at liberty.

HIS WIFE

1135. gune, goo-nay'; prob. from the base of G1096; a woman; spec. a wife:--wife, woman.

SAVING

3924. parektos, par-ek-tos'; from G3844 and G1622; near outside, i.e. besides:--except, saving, without.

FOR THE CAUSE OF

3056. logos, log'-os; from G3004; something said (including the thought); by impl. a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extens. a computation; spec. (with the art. in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ):--account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say (-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.

FORNICATION

4202. porneia, por-ni'-ah; from G4203; harlotry (includ. adultery and incest); fig. idolatry:--fornication.

CAUSETH HER TO

4160. poieo, poy-eh'-o; appar. a prol. from of an obsol. prim.; to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct):--abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do (-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield. Comp. G4238.

COMMIT ADULTERY

3429. moichao, moy-khah'-o; from G3432; (mid.) to commit adultery:--commit adultery.

AND

3739. hos, hos; includ. fem., he, hay; and neut., ho, ho; prob. a prim. word (or perh. a form of the art. G3588); the rel. (sometimes demonstrative) pron., who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who (-m, -se), etc. See also G3757.

WHOSOEVER

1437. ean, eh-an'; from G1487 and G302; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty:--before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-) soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, [who-] so (-ever). See G3361.

SHALL MARRY

1060. gameo, gam-eh'-o; from G1062; to wed (of either sex):--marry (a wife).

(HER THAT IS) PUT AWAY

630. apoluo, ap-ol-oo'-o; from G575 and G3089; to free fully, i.e. (lit.) relieve, release, dismiss (reflex. depart), or (fig.) let die, pardon, or (spec.) divorce:--(let) depart, dismiss, divorce, forgive, let go, loose, put (send) away, release, set at liberty.

COMMITTETH ADULTERY

3429. moichao, moy-khah'-o; from G3432; (mid.) to commit adultery:--commit adultery.

Now going beyond the time and words of Jesus, we look to see the writing of His Holy Apostles. I want to list a few thoughts that will stop a few interpretations.

Romans 6:1-2 (KJV) "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"

Some people teach that grace can cover sins. This is only true if the particular sins are brought to a stop. This applies to theives in their stealing, homo-sexuals in their evil practices and those who live in adultery (unlawful marriage).

Romans 6:12-13 (KJV) "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God."

The continuing of the unlawful marriage relationship after the obedience of the Gospel keeps us in sin. The theif who steals something and does not return it would be considered as continuing in sin. The homo-sexual that continues in his or her practice could not benifit from the salvation unless he changes his/her ways. So it is with the one who is married to one that is not their lawful spouse. They continue in sin, and therefore are not able to enjoy the promises of salvation.

The apostle Paul described the lasting nature of the marriage relationship as symbolic of the new relationship that we enjoy "IN CHRIST".

Romans 7:1-4 (KJV) "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? 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. 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. 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."

There are other scriptures that speak of the marriage relationship and the importance of faithfulness to the spouse. The importance of the responsibilities of marriage are also put forth. Paul compares the marriage relationship to our "marriage to Christ" or the commitment we make when we obey the Gospel.

Jesus said as God wanted Him to say to us that marriage is designed by God, appointed by God, and approved by God. By the language of Jesus we learn that from the beginning, it was set up that one man be married to one woman. Though man did different things, it was God who confirmed through Jesus that one man and one woman were one flesh. If God joined them (recognized the marriage), then man has no right to separate them (by human laws, social thought, or any loopholes). Only God can separate them (that is, by death).

Jesus speaking the words of God taught there is only one exception to allow a "lawful" divorce; FORNICATION.

Any other divorce is unlawful and not recognized by God.

Who can marry?

1. People who have never been married before.

2. One who marries a widow or widower.

3. Those who marry someone previously married who have a scriptural reason and right to re-marry (fornication on part of their former spouse).

Who can re-marry?

1. One whose spouse has died.

2. One who has a right because of fornication on the part of the former spouse.

Who can not re-marry?

1. One whose spouse has not died.

2. One who was put away (for any reason including fornication)

3. One who wants to marry someone who is not qualified to be married.

4. One who has put away a spouse for any reason other than adultry.

Who does this apply to?

1. Everyone.

2. Everyone concerned about their soul.

3. Everyone concerned about the word of God.

4. Everyone concerned about the authority of God's word.

Like I said in the beginning, there are those who seek justification for any cause re-marriage. They can only find that justification outside of scriptural authority.

As we teach on this subject, we must continue to be guided by the word of God. We must not appeal to feelings, emotions, or social bias. We must respect God's word and God's authority on this matter.

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