The Greater Marriage Truth, Part Five

Summarizing what has been considered regarding Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:31 and 32 and following up, the violation of the seventh commandment involves marriage only. Adultery is a violation of the marriage covenant, and sexual sins outside of marriage are labeled fornication (porneia; 1 Corinthians 7:2).

There are no technical or legal terms for ending a marriage in Scripture. The English Standard Version translates two Greek words for divorce eighteen times. The most used (fifteen times) is apoluo, from the preposition apo, a marker for separation or dislocation, and the verb luo, meaning, “to loose.” Apoluo is used in 68 times in the NT and means “to dismiss,” “let go,” or “to send away.” The other term (three times) is aphiemi, again from the preposition apo and the verb “to send,” an intense form of the verb “to go.” The closest thing to a legal term for divorce is apostasion, meaning “to leave or depart” and translated “certificate of divorcement” (Matthew 5:31; 19:7; Mark 10:4; Deuteronomy 24:1). The Pharisees read Deuteronomy 24:1–4 as a Mosaic command regulating divorce, but it only forbids a man from taking his wife back if she remarries.

The simple and clear truth regarding marriage is that it is a covenant establishing a family unit that is not to be broken for any reason. “What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate” (Matthew 19:6). The error that many make regarding divorce is allowing for some kind of Scriptural justification, usually adultery or desertion. Scripture nowhere allows for such. When Jesus said, “Except for fornication,” He was defining a specific time in the Jewish marriage process. If a man discovered that his future betrothed wife had sex with another man before the marriage was consummated, he could break the betrothal with a bill of divorcement (Matthew 1;18–22). If a marriage is consummated and either party is unfaithful, the sin would be adultery, not fornication.

The fact is people do get divorced and that for many reasons. The Bible gives no clear instruction concerning divorce except in Deuteronomy 24, which forbids a remarriage under certain conditions. So, what does that mean for those who have divorced and married again? As there are many complications, so there are no pat answers. The remarried will have to live with the consequences of the divorce. Some are given the gift of celibacy; some cannot receive it (Matthew 19:10–12). Those who do remarry must seek to live to the glory of God in their new family.

Does divorce and remarriage disqualify a man from ministry? This is another difficult question depending on when and how the first marriage ended. Someone who vilely sinned against his first wife is not likely to be one whom God would call to pastoral ministry. Otherwise, has there been genuine repentance and true spiritual restoration? Since the man’s spiritual restoration, has he proved a disciplined and faithful follower of Jesus? Such a one may indeed serve Christ in leadership, and if there is a call of God, it will be clearly evident.