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NASB | Matthew 5:32 but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 5:32 but I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on grounds of sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who has been divorced commits adultery. [Deut 24:1-4; Luke 16:18] |
Bible Question:
I was divorced on grounds of sexual immorality on the part of my former spouce 30 years ago. I wish to remarry. What does God say about remarriage? |
Bible Answer: There are Scriptural grounds for divorce: adultery or desertion. The key to answering your question lies in the proper understanding of the word divorce and what it means, including what it meant to the average Greek, Roman or Jew of the first century when he heard the word. A tradition dating back centuries and beginning with the Roman Catholic Church views divorce as "legal separation from bed and board." And that's all divorce is in this tradition. However, The people of the time of Jesus' earthly ministry, both Jews and Greeks, properly understood that divorce was the "dissolution of the marriage bond just as though it had never existed." If one accepts the second definition (the definition that is true both Biblically and historically), then one can only come to one conclusion: The RIGHT TO DIVORCE carries with it THE RIGHT TO REMARRY. If it doesn't, then divorce is not dissolution of the marriage bond just as though it had never existed. Instead divorce becomes legal separation from bed and board, nothing else. Which definition to follow: the popular one (legal separation) or the historically and Biblically sound one (dissolution of the marital bond, which carries with it the right to remarry)? Additionally, 1 Cor 7:11 clearly teaches that "If a Christian divorces another Christian except for adultery, neither partner is free to marry another person. They should reconcile, or at least remain unmarried" (p. 1738, MacArthur Study Bible, Word, 1997). Since you yourself had Scriptural grounds for divorce (sexual immorality on the part of your spouse), then you would have the right to divorce, which carries with it the right to remarry. I have given you what the Bible says on the matter. In addition, I suggest you talk to a pastor who bases all his doctrine and practice on Scripture only. God lead you into all truth and give you peace of mind over this issue. |