1. The Application of Matthew 19:9 Matthew 19:9 has been called “the most pivotal passage in the New Testament on divorce.” Martin Luther: “Matthew 19:9 is a blunt, clear, plain text.” The difficulty arises when we refuse to make consistent application of the text.

2. Texts Parallel to Matthew 19:9 Matthew 5:32 –Includes both the exception and the marriage clause Mark 10:11-12 –The general rule, without either the exception phrase or the remarriage clause Luke 16:18 –Without the exception phrase, but it does include the remarriage clause

3. The Application of Matthew 19:9 Divorce –Jesus does NOT command divorce – He gives the one whose spouse committed fornication the right to divorce –Only ONE scriptural cause for divorce and that is for fornication. Jeremiah 3:8 James 4:4 Romans 7:2 1 Corinthians 7:10-11

4. The Application of Matthew 19:9 Remarriage –The general rule is that after divorce it is adultery The single exception: when one divorces their mate BECAUSE the mate committed fornication –There is NO divorce in which BOTH parties are scripturally free to remarry

5. Order of Events in Matthew 19:9 Put Away Fornication Remarriage? Put Away Remarriage Fornication? Fornication Put Away Remarriage? Put Away Fornication Remarriage? Put Away Remarriage Fornication? Fornication Put Away Remarriage?

9. CONCLUSION The teaching of Matthew 19:9 is not so difficult that we cannot understand and apply it Submitting to the lordship of Christ means fitting our practices to His Word! The teaching of Matthew 19:9 is not so difficult that we cannot understand and apply it Submitting to the lordship of Christ means fitting our practices to His Word!