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Bible Question
Can you explain or prove why the guilty party of the divorced fornicator in Matthew 5:31-32 and Matthew 19:9 cannot remarry?

Certainly this issue is one that affects many people today. It is important for us to understand what God is teaching us in His word.

If the divorced fornicator has the benefit of remarriage, then he clearly benefits from his own sin. If this is the case, then in order to get out of a marriage you don't want to be in, all you have to do is commit adultery. That gives you the out you need and makes you available for remarriage. Clearly, that contradicts what Jesus is teaching here. It also does not explain the disciples' response in Matthew 19:10. They understood what Jesus was teaching and responded that if what He said was true it would be better not to marry. If there is no consequence, and all you have to do to break the marriage bond is commit adultery, then there really is no reason not to get married. It is still very simple to get out of. But, if the guilty party cannot remarry, it becomes a whole different problem. The disciples were recognizing the rigidity of Jesus teaching here.

The base answer to your question lies in the verses you mention themselves.

Matthew 5:31-32 teaches that the man marrying a woman who has been divorced commits adultery. The implication here is that she was the guilty party in the divorce or that she was divorced for some reason other than immorality. If she (as the guilty party or without a Scriptural divorce) remarries, she commits adultery.

Matthew 19:9 states it this way - "whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another (emphasis mine) woman commits adultery"

Clearly the teaching is that the remarriage of the individual causes adultery. Why? Because unless they were divorced for reasons of immorality, God still sees them as being married and the marriage bond is for life. Paul in writing to the Romans in Romans 7:1ff, identifies the bond and commitment being a lifelong one. Verse 3 in particular reads; "So then, if while the husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress, though she is joined to another." Paul reinforces the fact that in God's eyes people are married for life - unless there is a case of immorality or unfaithfulness (Matthew 19:9).

In Matthew 19:12; Jesus explains His teaching in more detail. There He talks about eunuchs. A eunuch, in the first century was one that had been castrated. These men, having no ability to have sexual relations with women, were often put in charge of serving queens and women of the court. They were seen be the rulers as harmless because they would not and could not have sexual relations with the women they served. In verse 12, after discussing marriage, divorce and remarriage, Jesus talks about three different types of eunuchs; First, He talks about those "who were born that way" - these people are celibate from birth, they have had no choice. Second, He talks about those "Who were made eunuchs by men" - these people have had some force them to become celibate. Just as those who divorce for reasons other than immorality. They are to remain celibate. If a husband divorces a wife for reasons other than immorality, they have two options remain unmarried, or be reconciled to each other (1 Corinthians 7:10-11). This situation would include one whose partner divorces them without cause even though they want to keep the marriage together. These people have been made eunuchs by men. Also, Jesus adds eunuchs "who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom" - these people, understanding the consequences of divorce (for reasons other than immorality) have made themselves celibate. They too only have the two choices offered in 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, remain unmarried (celibate) or be reconciled to their partner. The divorced fornicator would also fall into this camp.

There is little doubt that this is a difficult teaching of Jesus. Even the disciples recognized that and in verse 10 say "..then it is better not to marry." The importance and sanctity of marriage must be carefully considered before entering into the bond. In God's eyes - it is a lifelong commitment.

I hope this helps you with this topic. You might also look at an answer posted on our site to a similar, related questions on marriage, divorce, and remarriage at www.bearvalleycofc.org/articles/MarriageDivorce.html .

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