Bible Question on Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage

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Bible Question
Is what Jesus taught on divorce, in Matthew 19 binding on us today? I have studied with some persons that feel that adultry is not the only reason that God allows remarriage. They said that a scripture in 1 Corinthians 7 allowed divorce and remarriage for any reason. Please elaberate on these scriptures to help me with my studies.

Is what Jesus taught in Matthew 19 binding on us today?
Yes, for the following reasons:

1) Jesus begins by saying “And I say unto you….” God now speaks to us through His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2), and the message He preached was the message from God (John 5:24, 30; 7:16).

2) The word “whosoever” means all those created by God (see Matthew 5:21; 11:6; 12:32; 16:25).

3) Jesus told the apostles to teach people to obey “all that I command you” (Matthew 28:18-20).

4) Jesus brought the Gospel (Mark 1:14-15) and all will be judged by that Gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).

5) Jesus is discussing God’s will for marriage “from the beginning” (Matthew 19:8), therefore what He says in verse 9 has always been God’s law for marriage.

Does 1 Corinthians 7 allow divorce and remarriage for any reason?
No, it does not. Why?

1) It would directly contradict the clear teaching of Jesus in Matthew 5:32 and Matthew 19:3-9.

2) It could contradict what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 7:10, 11. If one leaves (the word here means divorce – and is the same word used by Jesus in Matthew 19:6), they have only two options: (a) remain unmarried or (b) be reconciled to his/her mate. The possibility of divorcing and than marrying someone else is not an option.

3) In verse 15 Paul is dealing with a believer married to an unbeliever. If the unbeliever wants to stay married, then it is the responsibility of the Christian to maintain that marriage (cf. v. 14). If, however, the non-Christian does not wish to remain married to the Christian, than Paul says the Christian should let the non-Christian go. Does that mean, however, that the Christian is then free to remarry? No. When Paul says they are “not under bondage” he is not referring to the marriage bond (a different Greek word – cf. 7:27, 39; Rom. 7:2). The person is still obligated to the instructions of verses 10, 11 – there are only two choices (remain unmarried or be reconciled).

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