For the Lord God of Israel says that He hates divorce, for it covers ones garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 2:16

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Divorce Definitions Generic modern definitions: Merriam-Webster, Wordnet, Wikipedia; etc. Specific modern legal definitions: [application] South Carolina and other state Legislature Some highlights of the modern view of divorce: A disunion (bond-breaking) of legally-married people Is the breaking of a legal marriage contract Involves formal, legal action Results in permanent separation of legal association

Divorce Definitions Remember: Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, and legal codes do not create word definitions; rather, they reflect what is common usage of the day. Therefore, if we desire to analyze a word in its context, it helps if we understand that words origins and meaning at the time it was used.

Divorce Definitions Generic modern definitions: Merriam-Webster, Wordnet, Wikipedia; etc. Specific modern legal definitions: [application] South Carolina and other state Legislature O. T. Hebrew and N. T. Greek word meanings Generic Bible definitions: Some highlights of the biblical view of divorce: Dis-union (putting away) of husband [N.T.] or wife Involves legal, formal action – a certificate of divorce Usually seen as negative: desert, abandon, adultery

Divorce Definitions Generic modern definitions: Merriam-Webster, Wordnet, Wikipedia; etc. Specific modern legal definitions: [application] South Carolina and other state Legislature Generic Bible definitions: Deut. 24 is basis for O.T. regulation of divorce O. T. Hebrew and N. T. Greek word meanings Specific Bible definitions: [application] – no permission or approval; only if/then

Divorce Definitions Generic modern definitions: Merriam-Webster, Wordnet, Wikipedia; etc. Specific modern legal definitions: [application] South Carolina and other state Legislature Generic Bible definitions: Deut. 24 is basis for O.T. regulation of divorce O. T. Hebrew and N. T. Greek word meanings Specific Bible definitions: [application] Jesus clarifies: Mt 5:31-32; 19:1-12; Mk 10:1-12

Matthew 5:31-32 (31) Furthermore it has been said, Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce. (32) But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.

Divorce Matthew 5:31-32 General context: The sermon on the mount Matt. 5:31-32: Jesus basic teaching on adultery Definitions The righteousness of the Kingdom of God vs. The righteousness of men an opportunity to teach a multitude [5:1] not what they expected to hear [5:3-12] duty of kingdom citizen: glorify God! [5:13-16] righteousness a heart issue, not law issue [5:17-20] unless your righteousness exceeds… [5:20] - not against law [5:17], but Jews righteousness [5:21-22, 33-34, 38-39, 43-44; 15:1-6; 7:28-29]

Divorce Matthew 5:31-32 General context: The sermon on the mount Matt. 5:31-32: Jesus basic teaching on adultery Definitions The righteousness of the Kingdom of God vs. The righteousness of men an opportunity to teach a multitude [5:1] not what they expected to hear [5:3-12] duty of kingdom citizen: glorify God! [5:13-16] righteousness a heart issue, not law issue [5:17-20] unless your righteousness exceeds… [5:20] But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness [6:33]

Divorce Matthew 5:31-32 General context: The sermon on the mount Matt. 5:31-32: Jesus basic teaching on adultery Definitions The righteousness of the Kingdom of God vs. The righteousness of men an opportunity to teach a multitude [5:1] not what they expected to hear [5:3-12] duty of kingdom citizen: glorify God! [5:13-16] righteousness a heart issue, not law issue [5:17-20] you have heard…it was said, But I say to you whoever hears these…and does them [7:24] Jesus clarifying the righteousness the law intended

Divorce Matthew 5:31-32 General context: The sermon on the mount Matt. 5:31-32: Jesus basic teaching on adultery Definitions The righteousness of Jews: dont commit the act keeping the letter of the law only; self-righteous see Matt. 23:23; John 7:19; Rom. 2:14-15, 25-27; Gal. 3:10-12; Deut. 6:4-9; etc. Specific context: You have heard…it was said… You shall not commit adultery [5:27-32] The righteousness of God: dont even think of it! [28] law was meant to teach the heart, not the body!

Divorce Matthew 5:31-32 General context: The sermon on the mount Matt. 5:31-32: Jesus basic teaching on adultery Definitions Specific context: You have heard…it was said… You shall not commit adultery [5:27-32] Indicates we are in the same context: adultery [5:27] Jews ignored focus of Dt. 24; imagined permission The text: Furthermore it has been said… [5:31] whoever divorces…let him give her a certificate… saw giving a certificate as relieving them from the sin of adultery if marry another; i.e., not stoned

Divorce Matthew 5:31-32 General context: The sermon on the mount Matt. 5:31-32: Jesus basic teaching on adultery Definitions Specific context: You have heard…it was said… You shall not commit adultery [5:27-32] Jesus says man is guilty, even if he gives certificate! The text: Furthermore it has been said… [5:31] Whoever divorces…causes her to commit adultery The text: But I say to you… [5:32] Righteousness obeys Gn 2:24 – 1 flesh, no divorce Righteousness does not create adulterous situation

Divorce Matthew 5:31-32 General context: The sermon on the mount Matt. 5:31-32: Jesus basic teaching on adultery Definitions Specific context: You have heard…it was said… You shall not commit adultery [5:27-32] The text: Furthermore it has been said… [5:31] Whoever divorces…causes her to commit adultery The text: But I say to you… [5:32] sexual immorality [Thayers: porneia] = illicit sexual intercourse; adultery, fornication, homosexuality… …for any reason except sexual immorality…

Divorce Matthew 5:31-32 General context: The sermon on the mount Matt. 5:31-32: Jesus basic teaching on adultery Definitions Specific context: You have heard…it was said… You shall not commit adultery [5:27-32] The text: Furthermore it has been said… [5:31] Whoever divorces…causes her to commit adultery The text: But I say to you… [5:32] [Thayers: porneia] = illicit sexual intercourse …for any reason except sexual immorality… divorce for adultery doesnt cause the adultery

Divorce Matthew 5:31-32 General context: The sermon on the mount Matt. 5:31-32: Jesus basic teaching on adultery Definitions Specific context: You have heard…it was said… You shall not commit adultery [5:27-32] The text: Furthermore it has been said… [5:31] Whoever divorces…causes her to commit adultery The text: But I say to you… [5:32] in the end, three guilty: 1 st husband, wife, 2 nd man! …for any reason except sexual immorality… …marries…who is divorced commits adultery

Divorce Matthew 5:31-32 General context: The sermon on the mount Matt. 5:31-32: Jesus basic teaching on adultery Definitions Specific context: You have heard…it was said… You shall not commit adultery [5:27-32] The text: Furthermore it has been said… [5:31] Whoever divorces…causes her to commit adultery The text: But I say to you… [5:32] Righteousness would seek Gods glory: none guilty …for any reason except sexual immorality… …marries…who is divorced commits adultery

Divorce Matthew 5:31-32 General context: The sermon on the mount Matt. 5:31-32: Jesus basic teaching on adultery Definitions Specific context: You have heard…it was said… You shall not commit adultery [5:27-32] based on wishful, legal interpretation of Deut. 24:1 The text: Furthermore it has been said… [5:31] Jews said: let him give a certificate = righteous The text: But I say to you… [5:32] The conclusion:

Divorce Matthew 5:31-32 General context: The sermon on the mount Matt. 5:31-32: Jesus basic teaching on adultery Definitions Specific context: You have heard…it was said… You shall not commit adultery [5:27-32] based on His authority as Son of God; Deut 24:1-4 The text: Furthermore it has been said… [5:31] Jews said: let him give a certificate = righteous The text: But I say to you… [5:32] Jesus said: whoever divorces…causes…adultery The conclusion:

Divorce Matthew 5:31-32 General context: The sermon on the mount Matt. 5:31-32: Jesus basic teaching on adultery Definitions Specific context: You have heard…it was said… You shall not commit adultery [5:27-32] if not for adultery, divorce causes three adulteries! The text: Furthermore it has been said… [5:31] Jews said: let him give a certificate = righteous The text: But I say to you… [5:32] Jesus said: whoever divorces…causes…adultery The conclusion:

Divorce Matthew 5:31-32 General context: The sermon on the mount Matt. 5:31-32: Jesus basic teaching on adultery Definitions Specific context: You have heard…it was said… You shall not commit adultery [5:27-32] divorce always involves unrighteousness The text: Furthermore it has been said… [5:31] Jews said: let him give a certificate = righteous The text: But I say to you… [5:32] Jesus said: whoever divorces…causes…adultery The conclusion:

Divorce Definitions Generic modern definitions: Merriam-Webster, Wordnet, Wikipedia; etc. Specific modern legal definitions: [application] South Carolina and other state Legislature Generic Bible definitions: Deut. 24 is basis for O.T. regulation of divorce O. T. Hebrew and N. T. Greek word meanings Specific Bible definitions: [application] Jesus clarifies: Mt 5:31-32; 19:1-12; Mk 10:1-12