The Question of Divorce

by:  M. Allen

 

FILING INFORMATION:

97026

05/11/97 - Cyclone, KY

 

I.  Introduction.

A.  Divorce is something that is widely accepted in our society.  It has been said that over half of all new marriages will eventually end up in divorce.

1.  yrs. ago, divorce something that was shameful.

2.  now seems to be glorified.  How sad. 

3.  We witness tragic effects upon society.

a.  many children now grow up in single parent homes.

b.  in most cases many do not have proper guidance, and grow up leading lives w/o any respect of God and civil authority.

B. The question of divorce is causing problems in the Lord’s church.

1.  spirit of compromise becoming more and more prevalent.

2.  Threatens moral purity of the church.

a.  those who feel that one can compromise on the subject will/are causing major problems in the church.  Those who compromise will stand in danger of hell fire.

b.  question before us tonight is serious.  One that is not being given enough attention to anymore.  This subject effects souls of men, women, boys, & girls not only in this generation, but in the one to come.

c.  need to be concerned about young folks who aren’t married.  They need to understand marriage the way that God intended it so that they will not make a mistake they will regret the rest of their life.

C.  We all agree the Lord is clear with reference to that of salvation.  Many of us can understand that we have been provided with book/chapter/verse demonstrating how one can be saved.

1.  Bible very clear about the question of divorce.  Can turn to the Scriptures and find a very clear pattern set forth for us to follow on this very important subject.

2.  just as we often have difficulty with denominations getting them to understand plan of salvation b/c they desire to make it conform with their own teaching, the subject we approach tonight is done with the same spirit.

D.  Two basic fundamentals must be established.

1.  The Bible says what it means & means what it says.  This means that all human experience must be cast aside.

2.  no passage of Scriptures may be interpreted in such a way as to place it at variance with another passage of Scripture.

a.  regardless of the situation we are trying to condemn or justify.

E.  Our discussion tonight involves a discussion of the text.  Let us strive to keep in mind the question:  “What does the Bible say?”

1.  wish more people did this.  would keep more problems out of the church

2.  not teaching opinion - but what the Bible teaches.

 

II.  In The Lord’s Language - We Have The Divine Rule.  Mt. 19:3-6

A.  Read with me from the Authority of Him who instituted marriage:

1.  v. 4 - no greater authority than the Creator - who is man to question Almighty God?

2.  Divorce is unlawful from the standpoint of:

a.  the express command given in v. 5

1.  when a couple marries, they are commanded to remain one flesh.  divorce is not an option with God.  Shouldn’t be an option with man.

2.  with the exception of adultery, (v. 7-9) no if’s, and’s, or but’s mentioned.

b.  notice in v. 5-6 the nature of the marriage tie.

1.  verses relate God’s intention that one man marry one woman & the two remained joined together until death.

2.  v. 6b

B.  Let’s develop this principle a little further.  What does God intend the duration of marriage be?  The general rule is not to put asunder.  v. 6

1.  v. 8 - God’s law as intended from the beginning = no divorce.

2.  Paul continued this thought in Romans 7:2-3.

a.  The woman is BOUND (v. 2) to her husband even though JOINED to another (v. 3).  marries NKJV.

b.  BOUND (Greek wd. deo) means “Binding by law & duty...to someone:  of wife to husband (Rom. 7:2-3) ; of a husband to his wife (1 Cor. 7:27).”

c.  JOINED (Greek wd. ginomai) means “to become a man’s wife such as in Rom. 7:3)”

d.  Therefore, she is an adulteress because she is “joined” to another while she is “bound” to her husband.

1.  Man permits divorce, but overlooks the fact that she is bound by God to her husband.

3.  Consider:  Just because a man has a wife does not mean that she is his wife - in the eyes of God.

a.  Mk. 6:17-18 - Herodias married to Herod, but still Philip’s wife.

1.  John said Herod’s marriage to Herodias unlawful.

2.  v. 18 - what does “have” mean in Greek?  (Greek wd. echo) means “to denote the possession of persons....be married.”  (Arndt-Gingrich)

b.  1 Cor. 5:1 - we are told that the Corinthian HAD his father’s wife.  He was guilty of fornication.

1.  Back in Romans 7:3 - second man not called husband, just “another man.”

c.  Another example of this truth found in 1 Cor. 7:10-11 - the woman not married, but still has a husband, though departed from him.

1.  Why?

2.  Answer:  1 Cor. 7:39

 

III.  v. 7-9 - The One Exception Stated:

A.  Notice v. 7 - the Pharisees object.  Why?  because it was something they didn’t want to hear.  Many reject God’s law of divorce for the same reasons today.  They simple don’t want to hear it, and live by it.

1.  Notice, concept of divorce as was practiced under Judaism not intended by God in creation.

a.  Moses did not abrogate or do away with the law given by God in Eden, but conceded to their desire temporarily because they would not listen to the law of God.

b.  notice the phrase it was not so.

1.  in perfect tense in the Greek which would denote the continuance of past action or it’s results down to the present.

2.  one source explained:  “not withstanding Moses’ permission, the case has not been so from the beginning....original ordinance has never been done away with, but continues in force.”

B.  The only exception for divorce is found in v. 9.

1.  Fornication & adultery used interchangeably.

a.  fornication is the only cause for divorce, which allows subsequent marriage to another.

b.  Thayer defines fornication as:  illicit sexual intercourse in general.

c.  Vine’s Expository Dictionary says “the word stands for and includes adultery.

2.  Fornication & adultery used metaphorically to describe Israel’s unfaithfulness as a bride of God.

a.  Ezek. 16:29

b.  Hos. 2:2

 

IV.  v. 10-12 - A Cautionary Word From Jesus.

A.  Notice the reasoning of the disciples.  Why would they utter such a statement?  Reflects the laxity toward divorce during their time.

1.  reply:  the unmarried state is better only for those who are not qualified to be married.

2.  eunuchs by nature, made such by men, and such of free choice.

B.  He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.

 

V.  Some Theories Explained.

A.  many argue the teachings of Christ in this chapter are not applicable today.

1.  some say Christ was merely restating the law of Moses, and since this is not repeated in the epistles, or after the death of Christ, it is not binding now.

2.  ANSWERED:

a.  Mt. 5:31-32 - Jesus made a distinction between HIS law and the law of Moses.

1.  phrase “But I” comes from Gk. wd., ego de which means “opposes persons to persons, or things previously mentioned, with strong emphasis.”  (Thayer)

2.  a thing does not have to be repeated in the epistles to be binding.  many examples:

a.  Mt. 23:9 - call no man Father

b.  Mt. 18:17 - take it to the church

B.  some say Mt. 19:1-12 applies to saints only.

1.  this position make’s the sinner’s sole responsibility that of believing Christ & obeying the gospel.  They may marry & divorce, but what ever wife one is living with at time of baptism becomes wife in God’s sight.

2.  ANSWERED: 

a.  1 Cor. 6:9-11. - If they were guilty before baptism, then law forbidding these binding before baptism.

b.  Rom. 4:15 - for where there is no law, there is no transgression.

c.  cannot be argued that they violated the law of land, for there was no such law in Corinth.  They practiced religious fornication in the temple.

C.  Adulterous marriages made pure by baptism theory:

1.  argument is that fornication, like other sins, are forgiven in baptism, that an unholy relationship becomes holy.

2.  ANSWERED:

a.  if so, they why can they continue in this sin and not all others?

1.  1 Cor. 6:9-11 - did Corinthians continue as in past?  Can a polygamist continue to live with six wives after baptism?

b.  the sins of adultery is still sin after baptism is clear from the words of Christ.

1.  Mt. 19:9 - commits adultery. 

2.  from Gk. Wd., moikatoi meaning continued action or present tense.  Lit.  keeps on committing adultery.  Only repentance changes this.

a.  Mk. 16:15-16; Acts 2:38

 

 

VI.  Conclusion.

A.  Since marriage is ordained of God, we should look upon it with a spirit of reverence.

1.  that has been lost in modern society.

B.  seeing that it is life-long those who enter into it should do so with caution.

C.  Happiness in the marriage relationship does not come through the pleasing of oneself, but in doing what is right.