Jesus and the M Word- Part 2

Matthew 19:9

Matthew 19:9

September 25, 2024

When questioned by the Pharisees regarding divorce, Jesus shifted the focus to the bigger issue, marriage.  Marriage was instituted by God.  It was God’s idea.  He demonstrated this when He created a partner for the first man, Adam.  There is a theological term to describe a deviation from God’s plans and purposes – we call it sin.  Therefore, we can categorically say that all divorce is a result of sin.  I am not trying to be specific here and point to one person or the other’s failings.  I am simply saying that the sinful nature of mankind has permeated all of life and it can ruin any relationship.

When the Pharisees questioned Jesus, they were not trying to understand God’s Law, nor were they seeking advice from a popular teacher.  They were trying to get Jesus to say something they could use against Him in evidence.  They pressed Him further for a statement on divorce. 

Jesus stated the first biblical ground for divorce as “porneia” (πορνεια), which is often translated as adultery, or more broadly, sexual immorality.  As there is a Greek term that more narrowly means adultery (μοιχαω) which Jesus used at the end of the sentence, it is best to render this term broadly to include all types of sexual sin, including abuse.

There are several other Scriptures that speak to the seriousness with which God takes sexual sin.  It is devastating.  Sexual sin can shape a personality more ferociously than any other.  It is a trap that is easily sprung and from which one can only escape with the strength of God.  Yes, that is true of all sin generally, but it is more intense with sexual sin.  Notice the following verses:

  Deut. 22:22; Pro. 6:32; Pro. 7:21-29; I Cor. 6:9-10; Heb. 13:4; Rev. 21:8.     

A second ground for divorce is given by Paul in I Cor. 7:12-14.  This is the possible abandonment of a believing spouse by an unbelieving partner.  Paul is describing the case of a woman who becomes a Christian after marriage.  If her husband doesn’t mind her newfound faith, she is counseled to stay with him.  If, however, the husband does not want to stay in the marriage and abandons her, she is free to remarry.  

The grounds being given, remember that “permitted” is still not “required.”  God’s ideal remains one man with one woman in a one-flesh relationship for a lifetime.  Throughout the Bible, marriage is typological to the relationship God has with His people.  The New Testament describes the church as the bride of Christ.  We can rejoice knowing that Jesus will never cheat on His bride, He will never abandon His bride, and when we are in that covenant relationship with Jesus, He will never divorce us.