1. Understanding marriage and divorce Biblical studies and concepts

2. The simplicity of marriage Gen 2:23 – “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.” Gen 2:23 – “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.” Eph 5:25-29 – “ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her … So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church” Eph 5:25-29 – “ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her … So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church”

3. The simplicity of marriage Mtt. 19:9 - “And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery." Mtt. 19:9 - “And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery." Mtt. 5:31-32 "It was said, 'WHOEVER SENDS HIS WIFE AWAY, LET HIM GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE'; but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” Mtt. 5:31-32 "It was said, 'WHOEVER SENDS HIS WIFE AWAY, LET HIM GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE'; but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”

4. Applications: “ the guilty party ” “whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” “whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” ASV – “her when she is put away” ASV – “her when she is put away” Young’s literal – “her who hath been put away” Young’s literal – “her who hath been put away” KJV – “her that is divorced” KJV – “her that is divorced” “A divorced woman” or “THE divorced woman”? “A divorced woman” or “THE divorced woman”?

5. Applications: “ the guilty party ” If “A” divorced woman… If “A” divorced woman… Mtt. 5:32 would refer to ANY divorced woman, regardless of her circumstance Mtt. 5:32 would refer to ANY divorced woman, regardless of her circumstance Inference – Mark 10:11-12, principle applies to man and woman Inference – Mark 10:11-12, principle applies to man and woman Teaching: anyone who marries one who is “put away” (I.e. divorced) commits adultery Teaching: anyone who marries one who is “put away” (I.e. divorced) commits adultery Inference: the one who is put away also commits adultery (if “makes her commit adultery does not already teach this) – if there is no bond, there is no adultery! Inference: the one who is put away also commits adultery (if “makes her commit adultery does not already teach this) – if there is no bond, there is no adultery!

6. Applications: “ the guilty party ” If “THE” divorced woman… If “THE” divorced woman… Mtt. 5:32 would refer to the divorced woman in question Mtt. 5:32 would refer to the divorced woman in question Teaching on marrying “one who is put away” would be specific to marrying one who has been put away but who is still bound – a “scriptural” divorce not discussed here Teaching on marrying “one who is put away” would be specific to marrying one who has been put away but who is still bound – a “scriptural” divorce not discussed 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 command Silence of scripture = no direct command “Necessary inference” = no alternate reasonable explanations “Necessary inference” = no alternate reasonable explanations Principals: the law, NOT man, may bind and loose! Principals: the law, NOT man, may bind and loose!

7. Applications: “ the guilty party ” What does “silence of scripture” mean? What does “silence of scripture” mean? Rom 14:22-23 – “The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.” Rom 14:22-23 – “The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.” Is our conviction based on faith, or on justifying ourselves? Is our conviction based on faith, or on justifying ourselves? Faith must be based in the word, Rom. 10:14, not my own emotions or logic Faith must be based in the word, Rom. 10:14, not my own emotions or logic

8. Applications: “ mental divorce ” Remarriage justified for the “put away” Remarriage justified for the “put away” One spouse divorces another for unscriptural reasons One spouse divorces another for unscriptural reasons Because the two are still bound, God still views them as married – divorce is not recognized Because the two are still bound, God still views them as married – divorce is not recognized When the spouse remarries, he then commits adultery allowing the other party to “mentally divorce” for adultery and remarry safely When the spouse remarries, he then commits adultery allowing the other party to “mentally divorce” for adultery and remarry safely

9. Applications: “ mental divorce ” Does God recognize divorce? (John 4) Does God recognize divorce? (John 4) Deut. 24:1-4 – God recognizes divorce (regardless of approval) and forbids remarriage once the woman has been defiled by a second marriage Deut. 24:1-4 – God recognizes divorce (regardless of approval) and forbids remarriage once the woman has been defiled by a second marriage 1 Cor 7:10-11 – “… the wife should not leave her husband (but if she does leave, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband),” 1 Cor 7:10-11 – “… the wife should not leave her husband (but if she does leave, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband),” Rom 7:3 – “So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man.” Rom 7:3 – “So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man.” “Still bound,” doesn’t mean still married! “Still bound,” doesn’t mean still married!

10. Applications: “ mental divorce ” First principals: Does it violate a specific command? First principals: Does it violate a specific command? Whoever divorces his wife except for fornication makes her commit adultery, Mtt. 5:31-32 Whoever divorces his wife except for fornication makes her commit adultery, Mtt. 5:31-32 Is there an exception? Only the law can provide! Is there an exception? Only the law can provide! Uncertainty over terminology should never be taken as license! Uncertainty over terminology should never be taken as license!

11. Applications: “ a clean slate ” When an unbeliever is baptized, what happens to his marriage bond? When an unbeliever is baptized, what happens to his marriage bond? 2 Cor 5:16-18 – “Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” 2 Cor 5:16-18 – “Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” 1 Cor 7:17-18 – “Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And so I direct in all the churches.” 1 Cor 7:17-18 – “Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And so I direct in all the churches.” V. 20 – “Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called.” V. 20 – “Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called.”

12. Applications: “ a clean slate ” Is the alien sinner amenable to God’s marriage law? Is the alien sinner amenable to God’s 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 things; for by all these the nations which I am casting out before you have become defiled. For the land has become defiled, therefore I have brought its punishment upon it, so the land has spewed out its inhabitants.” Lev 18:24-25 – “Do not defile yourselves by any of these things; for by all these the nations which I am casting out before you have become defiled. For the land has become defiled, therefore I have brought its punishment upon it, so the land has spewed out its inhabitants.” Sexual activity with blood relatives, in-laws, child sacrifice, homosexuality, bestiality – all condemned under Mosaic law, none specifically applied to Gentiles Sexual activity with blood relatives, in-laws, child sacrifice, homosexuality, bestiality – all condemned under Mosaic law, none specifically applied to Gentiles God’s marriage law, all subsequent violations and depravities date back to creation God’s marriage law, all subsequent violations and depravities date back to creation

13. Applications: “ a clean slate ” John 6:17 - “For Herod himself had sent and had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because he had married her. For John had been saying to Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.’” John 6:17 - “For Herod himself had sent and had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because he had married her. For John had been saying to Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.’” Herodias was the wife of her half-uncle, Herod Philip I, but she left him to marry another half- uncle, his brother, Herod Antipas. Herod Antipas was already married to the daughter of Aretas, king of Arabia, but he sent this wife away. (Wycliffe) Herodias was the wife of her half-uncle, Herod Philip I, but she left him to marry another half- uncle, his brother, Herod Antipas. Herod Antipas was already married to the daughter of Aretas, king of Arabia, but he sent this wife away. (Wycliffe)

14. Applications: “ a clean slate ” Who were the Herods? (Nelson) Who were the Herods? (Nelson) The Herodian dynasty made its way into Palestine through Antipater, an Idumean by descent. The Idumeans were of Edomite stock as descendants of Esau. The Herodian dynasty made its way into Palestine through Antipater, an Idumean by descent. The Idumeans were of Edomite stock as descendants of Esau. Herod Antipas (4 B.C.- A.D. 39). Antipas, another of Herod the Great's sons, began as tetrarch over Galilee and Perea. Herod Antipas was first married to the daughter of Aretas, an Arabian king of Petrae. But he became infatuated with Herodias, the wife of his half-brother, Philip I. The two eloped together, although both were married at the time. Herod Antipas (4 B.C.- A.D. 39). Antipas, another of Herod the Great's sons, began as tetrarch over Galilee and Perea. Herod Antipas was first married to the daughter of Aretas, an Arabian king of Petrae. But he became infatuated with Herodias, the wife of his half-brother, Philip I. The two eloped together, although both were married at the time.

15. Applications: “ a clean slate ” Who were the Herods? (Unger) Who were the Herods? (Unger) By conquest John Hyrcanus brought the Idumaeans into the Jewish state about 130 B.C., and as they conformed to the Jewish rite of circumcision they embraced the Jewish religion. However, the Jews regarded the Idumaeans with considerable suspicion and prejudice, calling them "half Jews" (Ant. 14.15.2). J By conquest John Hyrcanus brought the Idumaeans into the Jewish state about 130 B.C., and as they conformed to the Jewish rite of circumcision they embraced the Jewish religion. However, the Jews regarded the Idumaeans with considerable suspicion and prejudice, calling them "half Jews" (Ant. 14.15.2). J Herod was not a Jew, and he certainly was not an active follower of Jehovah – so why did John concern himself? Herod was not a Jew, and he certainly was not an active follower of Jehovah – so why did John concern himself?

16. Applications: “ a clean slate ” If a non-Christian is not amenable to God’s marriage law, why ANY law? If a non-Christian is not amenable to God’s marriage law, why ANY law? “Where there is no law, there is no violation”, Rom. 4:15 “Where there is no law, there is no violation”, Rom. 4:15 Rom 7:7-8 – “What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, "YOU SHALL NOT COVET." But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead.” Rom 7:7-8 – “What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, "YOU SHALL NOT COVET." But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead.” If Christ’s commandments applied only to Christians, why did the world need to be saved??? If Christ’s commandments applied only to Christians, why did the world need to be saved???

17. Applications: “ a clean slate ” Point 1: ALL of God’s commandments are given to all men, disobedience is sin Point 1: ALL of God’s commandments are given to all men, disobedience is sin Matt 28:18-20 – “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;” Matt 28:18-20 – “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;” As already seen, God created man and woman for marriage, sanctifies ALL marriage bonds (I Cor. 7:14, Mtt. 19:4) As already seen, God created man and woman for marriage, sanctifies ALL marriage bonds (I Cor. 7:14, Mtt. 19:4) A non-Christian is not excused from the sin of adultery, nor any other sin! I Cor. 6:9-11 A non-Christian is not excused from the sin of adultery, nor any other sin! I Cor. 6:9-11

18. Applications: “ a clean slate ” “But you were washed!!” “But you were washed!!” 1 Cor 6:17-20 – “But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him. Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?” 1 Cor 6:17-20 – “But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him. Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?” 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 time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.” 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 time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.” “Remain the condition” I Cor. 7:24 – refers to non- sinful states “Remain the condition” I Cor. 7:24 – refers to non- sinful states

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

20. Applications: “ a clean slate ” Does a thief or swindler have the right to maintain possession of what is not lawfully his? Does a thief or swindler have the right to maintain possession of what is not lawfully his? Luke 19:8-10 – “Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, ‘Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.’” Luke 19:8-10 – “Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, ‘Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.’” How then can an adulterer do the same? How then can an adulterer do the same? It is not lawful for me to be married to someone who is bound by God to another woman It is not lawful for me to be married to someone who is bound by God to another woman

21. Applying God ’ s word God does not give us specific examples because he does not have to God does not give us specific examples because he does not have to Do I seek God intent on understanding His will, or to justify myself? Do I seek God intent on understanding His will, or to justify myself? 2 Tim 4:3-5 – “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.” 2 Tim 4:3-5 – “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.” The simple way to avoid the problem – honor and revere marriage! The simple way to avoid the problem – honor and revere marriage!