Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Matthew 19:9 "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 19:9 "I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery." |
Bible Question: is it unlawfly for a man to divoce his wife for any reason? |
Bible Answer: Infidelity and abandonment are the two reasons for divorce expressly stated in the bible. Also, in Matthew 5, Jesus explains that lust is a form of adultery. Since adultery is a legitimate reason to divorce, it follows that lust also is a legitimate reason to divorce. Yet to many people, lust alone does not seem cause for divorce. However, in this case, the biblical word for lust does not refer to a passing thought anyone might experience then immediately dismiss, but rather “sinful longing” (Eastons’ 1897 Bible Dictionary). This refers to a pattern of inappropriate thoughts that are indulged at the expense of another person for base gratification of prurient desires. In the economy of God, such thoughts are morally bankrupt and are form of infidelity. These high standards demonstrate what marriage is supposed to mean for us by showing us what it means to God. Also, in recent times, application of biblical principles leads to the conclusion that certain patterns of abuse are also legitimate grounds for divorce. Regarding Matt 19:9, this verse is often interpreted out of the context of Jesus’ response to the Pharisee’s question about divorces that we being granted for any and every reason, as derived from Deut 24:1-4. Jesus denounces the idea that merely providing a certificate of divorce is all the law requires, and as a result, anyone who marries a person “divorced” in this illegitimate way, commits adultery and makes the other person into an adulterer. Again, we see God's higher standard convicting those who were divorcing for any and every reason. It is important to remember that God knows about divorce firsthand. In Jer 3:8, God divorced Israel for her faithlessness (abandonment) and idolatry (infidelity). We can know that God identifies with our suffering because He has experienced divorce. This divorce was necessary because the marriage with Israel was dead from a break of faith. It is in the context of faith that we are to be married, and when that is no longer possible, due to the hardness of someone's heart, (Matthew 19:8) divorce is appropriate. Divorce declares the death of a marriage, and thus releases us to grieve that loss and move on in life. |