2. Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject
Marriage,
Divorce,
& Remarriage D I V O R C E
Biblical Examinations Of An
Emotional & Controversial Subject

3. DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure
Mt 19:3-9 & Mk 10:2-12
Jesus’ conclusion is that divorce is NOT lawful for any cause at all Mt 19:6 Mk 10:8-9
Divorce = putting asunder what God puts together
Man is not authorized to do so
Truths “at the beginning” Jesus emphasizes pre-date the Law of Moses as well as the gospel of Christ

4. DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure
Mt 19:3-9 & Mk 10:2-12
Jesus states the rule re: marriage and divorce Mt 19:9 Mk 10:11-12
___________ + ________________ = ____________
This has always been the “rule”
Matthew’s account differs from Mark’s in that he records the exception clause Jesus gave re: divorce
DIVORCE
REMARRIAGE
ADULTERY

5. DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure
Mt 19:3-9 & Mk 10:2-12
Jesus’ words “…except for fornication” implies an option for the innocent spouse that is available without sin Mt 19:9
_________________ + ___________ +
_________________ = _________________
FORNICATION
DIVORCE
REMARRIAGE
NO ADULTERY

6. DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure
Lk 16:18
The one who puts away a spouse and remarries is addressed in the first half of this passage
This is identical with the “marriage rule” as stated in Mk 10:11-12
It is also identical when reading Mt 19:9 without the exception clause

7. DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure
Lk 16:18
The one who might marry a put-away person is addressed in the second half of this passage
This repeats the Lord’s prohibition re: a put-away person remarrying another cp. Mt 5:32b
Whether the divorce was lawful or unlawful… a put-away person cannot remarry another

8. DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure
Mk 10: & Lk 18:29-30
The context is the encounter Jesus had with the Rich Young Ruler…specifically, his failure and unwillingness to forsake all “for the kingdom”
Some are currently using these passages to teach it is permissible for one to leave a spouse if done so “for the sake of the kingdom of God”

9. DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure
Mk 10: & Lk 18:29-30
Such an exegesis would have these passages granting another reason for divorce other than the only one the Lord gave in Mt 19
However, these passages do address a relevant marital situation…one may have to leave an unlawful marriage “for the kingdom of God”

10. DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure
Mk 10: & Lk 18:29-30
The situation recorded in Ezra 9-10 mirrors the type of situation Jesus describes in these passages

11. DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure
Rom 7:1-4
The context is Paul’s attempt to convince the Jews to leave the law & be “married to Christ”
To illustrate how such a “marriage” is proper, Paul uses the law that governs the physical relationship between a husband & his wife
This illustration is similar to Eph 5:22-33

12. DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure
Rom 7:1-4
The law has jurisdiction over a person as long as that person lives under that law v. 1
Because of the marriage law that has been in force “from the beginning” & reinforced by Jesus, marriage is governed by the same principle Gen 2: Mt 19:9 cp. Mt 22:29-30