Divorce What about divorce? God hates divorce but He has allowed for it. Mal. 2:13-16 – God hates divorce and he does not want you to deal treacherously with your wife

Divorce God makes a pointed observation in verse 15. It is translated various ways but the import of the statement is that anyone who has a remnant of the Spirit with which they were joined, married, would not do this to his wife. Today, she would not do this to her husband.

Why? Because God hates divorce.

Divorce Back to Matthew 19:1-10, we see that the Pharisees were trying to justify “no-fault” divorce. Their justification is that Moses allowed this, Deut. 24:1-4. They ask Jesus if a man can divorce for any reason.

The answer that Jesus gives is not one that many people like to hear; Divorce The answer that Jesus gives is not one that many people like to hear; Jesus says no.

Divorce In verse 4-6 He tells that that the man and the woman are one flesh and they are not to be separated. 1 Kings 3:16-28 – we can no more separate the one flesh of husband and wife than the baby could be separated into halves

Divorce In Mark’s account we see that is the question is slightly different but again leads to the “no-fault” divorce they sought. Mark 10:1-12 – Is it lawful for a man to divorce? Jesus tells them why this was allowed; because of the hardness of your hearts.

God did not establish. Divorce We should read and understand the question that Jesus asked. Mark 10:3 – “What did Moses command you?” Jesus makes this point to show them that what Moses allowed, God did not establish.

Divorce When Jesus tells them no they bring up Moses and the laws of divorce. Jesus responds with the one exception for divorce. Matt. 19:8-9 – divorce is for the cause of sexual immorality; fornication Heb. 13:4 – the marriage bed is undefiled. Outside of marriage is fornication, which is the only reason one can put away a spouse.

This reason is supported by Jesus’ statements. Divorce This reason is supported by Jesus’ statements. Matt. 5:31-32 – if you divorce your spouse for any reason accept fornication you cause them to commit adultery In Luke we simply read Jesus’ words about divorce and remarriage, Luke 16:18. You will put a stumbling block before them and you will be the cause of their sin.

Divorce Mark 10:11-12 – divorce your spouse and marry another you commit adultery Mark records the words of Jesus to let us know that His law is good for both the husband and the wife, the wife and the husband.

Divorce The only conflict in the cause for divorce is wholly man-made. The conflict that man created is based in part of one verse in the Bible. 1 Cor. 7:11

Divorce 1 Cor. 7:10-13 – in these verses we are told four times not to divorce our spouse In verse 11 many have rested their hope for another cause for divorce. They will cite that, in verse 10, the Lord commanded – another cause for divorce.

Divorce Well what is it? Where does Paul give another cause for divorce? Where does the Lord give another cause for divorce? The Pharisees aske if they could divorce for any reason and Jesus said no.

Divorce From this particular passage people have come up with several “godly” reasons for divorce. A few years ago a listed floated around giving other reasons for divorce. 1. A person may have to leave his mate to become or remain a Christian. 2. A person may be in a marriage relationship in which his/her mate runs up bills which he/she has no intention of paying. 3. A mate may be abusive to the children (beating). 4. There are some cases in which one must leave to have physical and emotional health. 5. Sometimes a couple becomes so alienated from each other, the hostilities have reached such a point, that they must live apart. 6. A person may have to divorce his mate to break an unscriptural marriage.

Divorce From this passage and these “godly” reasons some have advocated divorcing ones mate for other reasons than fornication. Jesus said “except for fornication”. He did not give another reason and the word except limits any other reason.

Divorce This passage is not advocating another reason for divorce. This passage has been used as a “contingency passage”.

Divorce Others will use this passage as a “contingency passage”. That is to say that if one goes ahead and divorces their spouse they must abide by the things stated.

Divorce The reason why we have such conflicts with this passage is because of the poor translation and consequent understanding. But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife. NKJV

Divorce But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife. KJV (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. ESV (but should she depart, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband); and that the husband leave not his wife. ASV (but if she does, let her remain single or else be reconciled to her husband)—and that the husband should not divorce his wife. RSV but and if she may separate, let her remain unmarried, or to the husband let her be reconciled, and let not a husband send away a wife. YOUNG’S

Divorce The translations are identical and identically wrong. They all allow for the woman to go ahead and break the command that was given in the previous verse; she is told explicitly not to depart from her husband.

Divorce This is where the contingency passage thought comes into play. The proponents say that if she, or the husband, goes ahead and does what they are explicitly told not to do, verses 10 and 11, then they must live alone or be reconciled thus being right with God even though they have disobeyed what God has said.

Divorce The “contingency passage idea” is exactly the same as the Pharisees that questioned Jesus in Matthew and Mark. Jesus said Moses allowed it out of the hardness of your hearts.

Divorce So if the spouse hardens their heart and divorces anyway, against God’s explicit command, that would have given the Pharisees the out they desired but Jesus did not say that. So this cannot be a contingency passage.

Divorce The “contingency passage idea” supposes a future incident that might result in one divorcing their spouse. It cannot be a contingency passage because no matter what the person is breaking the direct command of God.

Divorce It is a passage that answers questions. The first letter to the Corinthians was a letter that responded to questions. Paul answers the questions they had as they began their life in Christ. One of those questions was about marriage and divorce. In the seventh chapter Paul begins to answer their questions about marriage.

Divorce 1 Cor. 7:1-9: (answering questions) 1. Man do not touch a woman, by implication woman do not touch a man 2. If you cannot do that get a wife or a husband 3. Do not deprive one another 4. If you can remain unmarried do that, if not marry

Divorce 1 Cor. 7:10-16: (answering questions) 1. Wife do not depart from your husband 2. Husband do not divorce your wife 3. Believing husband-unbelieving wife and she is willing to remain do not divorce and vice versa 5. If the unbeliever departs he/she departs

Divorce One of the very best interlinear bibles is the Nestle Greek Text with a Literal English Translation – But if indeed she is separated, let her remain unmarried or to the(her) husband be reconciled, General Interlinear – if moreover also she be separated let her remain unmarried or to the husband be reconciled

Divorce Matthew Poole's Commentary How our translators came to translate cwrisyh, which is manifestly a verb passive, if she depart, I cannot tell. It signifieth, if she be departed, and so is as well significative of a being parted from her husband by a judicial act of divorce, as of a voluntary departing.

Divorce Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers (11) But and if she depart.—Better, but if she have actually separated. …Rückert, who maintains that the words refer to that specific case (see on 1 Corinthians 7:10), and mean: if, however, she should perhaps have already separated herself before receiving this decision; and likewise to Hofmann, who renders: if such a separation has actually already taken place within the church, thereby presupposing that such a thing will henceforth never take place there again.

Divorce This answers the questions of the Corinthians. Paul did not have to put in a contingency phrase for some future event, or allow for others reasons for divorce. God has already said do not divorce. This does answer the question of current circumstances. There is someone who is already separated from their spouse what does she do?

Divorce She remains unmarried, do not marry again, or be reconciled. It is important to note that in no proper translation is the phrase remain unmarried meant to be understood as she is not under the marriage bond. But it does mean that she should not marry another.

Divorce This is the only understanding that does not conflict with what has been revealed about divorce. Any other understanding presupposes other reasons for divorce or that we can ignore the explicit commands and still be right with God.

Divorce Divorce summed up is simple. God hates divorce The only reason for divorce is fornication.