marriage, divorce and remarriage matthew 19:1-9 1

Marriage, Marriage, Divorce and Divorce and RemarriageRemarriage

Matthew 19:1-9Matthew 19:1-9

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God’s Basic RuleGod’s Basic Rule

ONE MAN FOR ONE WOMAN FOR ONE MAN FOR ONE WOMAN FOR LIFE LIFE (Only (Only one exception to this one exception to this rule)rule) From the beginning. Genesis 2:18-25From the beginning. Genesis 2:18-25 Repeated in Matthew 19:1-9 & Repeated in Matthew 19:1-9 &

Ephesians 5:31Ephesians 5:31

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God’s Basic RuleGod’s Basic Rule

Matthew 19:1-9 Jesus explains this basic Matthew 19:1-9 Jesus explains this basic rule.rule.

1.1. Jesus reaffirmed Genesis 2:24 and Jesus reaffirmed Genesis 2:24 and explained its implications.explained its implications.

a.a. REQUIRESREQUIRES one man for one one man for one woman woman "a man," "his wife.""a man," "his wife."

b.b. EXCLUDESEXCLUDES all immorality – all immorality – ""a a man," "his wife," "one flesh" man," "his wife," "one flesh" = no = no fornication, adultery, polygamy, fornication, adultery, polygamy, concubines, homosexuals, bestiality.concubines, homosexuals, bestiality. 4

God’s Basic RuleGod’s Basic RuleMatthew 19:1-9 Jesus explains this basic ruleMatthew 19:1-9 Jesus explains this basic rule..

IMPLIESIMPLIES immorality desecrates the union – immorality desecrates the union – ground for the innocent to put away the guilty ground for the innocent to put away the guilty –– "a man," "his wife," "cleave," "one flesh. "a man," "his wife," "cleave," "one flesh.

IMPLIES IMPLIES – bond is only in this life -– bond is only in this life -"one flesh" "one flesh" = life and relations in the fleshly body= life and relations in the fleshly body

EXCLUDES EXCLUDES – The put away fornicator from – The put away fornicator from marrying another.marrying another.

""From the beginningFrom the beginning it hath not been so." it hath not been so." Matthew 19:8b.Matthew 19:8b.

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Departures From God’s Departures From God’s Basic RuleBasic Rule

1.1. Genesis 4:19 first case of bigamy.Genesis 4:19 first case of bigamy.

2.2. Genesis 12:10-20 man offered his wife to Genesis 12:10-20 man offered his wife to another.another.

3.3. Genesis 16:1-3 Man had a child by a Genesis 16:1-3 Man had a child by a household maid.household maid.

4.4. Genesis 25:1-6 Man taking concubines.Genesis 25:1-6 Man taking concubines.

5.5. Genesis 26:1-11 Wife offered to another.Genesis 26:1-11 Wife offered to another.

6. Genesis 30:4, 9 Man takes household maid.6. Genesis 30:4, 9 Man takes household maid.

7. The Gentiles cast off God and so God rejected 7. The Gentiles cast off God and so God rejected them as well. Romans 1:18-32them as well. Romans 1:18-32

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Examination Of The Text – Examination Of The Text – Matthew 19:3-12Matthew 19:3-12

The QuestionThe Question:: “is it lawful for a man to put “is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause.” Matthew away his wife for every cause.” Matthew 19:319:3

The Motive behind the questionThe Motive behind the question – – “tempting “tempting him.”him.”

Two Schools of thoughtTwo Schools of thought::Shammai – Deuteronomy 24:1 was interpreted to Shammai – Deuteronomy 24:1 was interpreted to

mean a man could not release his wife unless mean a man could not release his wife unless he found some indecency in her.he found some indecency in her.

Hillel – very lax, anything that caused displeasure Hillel – very lax, anything that caused displeasure to the man was sufficient cause for divorceto the man was sufficient cause for divorce!!

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Jesus ReplyJesus Reply: : “Have ye not read?”“Have ye not read?”

1. He referred them to 1. He referred them to “the “the beginning.” beginning.” Genesis 2:18, 21-24.Genesis 2:18, 21-24.

2. Divine commentary2. Divine commentary. “. “What God What God hath joined together, hath joined together, let not man let not man put asunderput asunder.” Matthew19:6.” Matthew19:6

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The PhariseesThe Pharisees’ Reply to Jesus’ Answer: ’ Reply to Jesus’ Answer: “Why did Moses then command you “Why did Moses then command you to give a writing of divorcement, to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?”and to put her away?” cf. Deuteronomy 24:1-4cf. Deuteronomy 24:1-4

Not discussing the Not discussing the right to divorceright to divorce, but , but what to do in the what to do in the event of divorceevent of divorce! ! Illus. 1 John2:1.Illus. 1 John2:1.

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Jesus’ ExplanationJesus’ Explanation of the Mosaic decree. of the Mosaic decree. verse 8; cf. Mark 10:2ffverse 8; cf. Mark 10:2ff

1. Moses … 1. Moses … ““sufferedsuffered”” … because of the … because of the hardness of your hearts.hardness of your hearts.

2. God did not 2. God did not “command” “command” them to them to

divorce their wives divorce their wives for every for every causecause; rather divorce was a temporary ; rather divorce was a temporary concession to their hardness of heart; concession to their hardness of heart; he regulated their stubbornness! he regulated their stubbornness!

Jesus states, Jesus states, “from the beginning …”“from the beginning …”10

NOTE: Divorced People NOTE: Divorced People Remain Under The Remain Under The

Constraint Of Divine Constraint Of Divine Law! Law!

a.a. Deuteronomy 24:1-4 Divorce wife Deuteronomy 24:1-4 Divorce wife BUT can't have her back after her 2BUT can't have her back after her 2ndnd marriage.marriage.

b.b. Deuteronomy 24:1-4 Divorcee Deuteronomy 24:1-4 Divorcee marry another BUT then can't ever marry another BUT then can't ever return to 1st mate.return to 1st mate.

c. Leviticus 21:7, 13-14 Divorce free c. Leviticus 21:7, 13-14 Divorce free from marriage BUT can't marry a from marriage BUT can't marry a priest.priest. 11

Examination Of The Text Examination Of The Text – –

Matthew 19:3-12Matthew 19:3-12““And I say unto you …” verse 9!And I say unto you …” verse 9!

a.a. Jesus asserted His supremacy Jesus asserted His supremacy over Moses, and re-enacted the over Moses, and re-enacted the original law of Marriage.original law of Marriage.

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““Whosoever …” Whosoever …” Universal in application. Universal in application. cf. Romans 4:15; 5:12; cf. 1 Corinthians cf. Romans 4:15; 5:12; cf. 1 Corinthians 6:9-116:9-11

a.a. If not no need to repent.If not no need to repent.

b.b. No need to be baptized for the No need to be baptized for the remission of sins.remission of sins.

c.c. No sin to wash away.No sin to wash away.

NOTE: NOTE: “Whosoever …” “Whosoever …” Includes ALL Includes ALL cases ofcases of divorce and remarriage divorce and remarriage … … results in adultery … (only one results in adultery … (only one exception).exception). 13



““Except.” Except.” The general rule when one The general rule when one divorces and remarries: Note verse 9 divorces and remarries: Note verse 9 without the exception clause; also without the exception clause; also Mark 10:11,12; Luke 16:18.Mark 10:11,12; Luke 16:18.

This cause, only this cause, no other This cause, only this cause, no other cause.cause.

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““Committeth adultery” Committeth adultery” is linear action.is linear action. cf. Romans 7:1-4 “She shall be called cf. Romans 7:1-4 “She shall be called an adulteress …” an adulteress …”

How long would she be called How long would she be called “an “an adulteress”adulteress”??

"Adultery" "Adultery" defined by context: unlawful defined by context: unlawful sexual intercourse involving someone sexual intercourse involving someone under the constraint of God's marriage under the constraint of God's marriage law.law. 15



Defined by contextDefined by context..

a.a. Married man with another man's wife (John Married man with another man's wife (John 8:4)8:4)

b.b. Man puts away his wife without cause and Man puts away his wife without cause and marries another. (Matthew 19:9; Mark 10:11-12; marries another. (Matthew 19:9; Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18)Luke 16:18)

c.c. Woman who is put away without cause and Woman who is put away without cause and marries another (Matthew 5:32; 19:9)marries another (Matthew 5:32; 19:9)

d.d. Put-away fornicator marries another Put-away fornicator marries another (Matthew 5:32 & Matthew 19:9) read with the (Matthew 5:32 & Matthew 19:9) read with the exception in place.exception in place.

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The Reply of the disciplesThe Reply of the disciples: : Verse 10 “His Verse 10 “His disciples say unto him, if the case of the disciples say unto him, if the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.”marry.”

1.1. They knew Jesus went further than Moses … They knew Jesus went further than Moses … ““beginningbeginning.”.”

2.2. What Jesus taught concerning Marriage, What Jesus taught concerning Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage constitutes Divorce, and Remarriage constitutes “a hard “a hard saying.”saying.”a. There were some who walked no more with a. There were some who walked no more with Jesus because of His teaching which they Jesus because of His teaching which they perceived to be a perceived to be a “hard saying.” John 6:60,66“hard saying.” John 6:60,66b. But we should have the attitude of Peter – you b. But we should have the attitude of Peter – you have the have the “words of eternal life” John 6:67-68.“words of eternal life” John 6:67-68.

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Jesus’ Reply to the DisciplesJesus’ Reply to the Disciples: Verses 11-12: Verses 11-12

Three Classes of Eunuchs:Three Classes of Eunuchs:

a.a. Those who were eunuchs Those who were eunuchs “from their “from their mother’s womb.” mother’s womb.” cf. Acts 8:26-27.cf. Acts 8:26-27.

b.b. Those which were Those which were “made eunuchs of “made eunuchs of men.” men.” cf. 2 Kings 20:17,18; Daniel 1:3,4,6.cf. 2 Kings 20:17,18; Daniel 1:3,4,6.

c.c. Eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven.Eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven.

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The Sinfulness Of DivorceThe Sinfulness Of Divorce:: It is a putting asunder of what God It is a putting asunder of what God

has joined together. Matthew 19:6.has joined together. Matthew 19:6. It is something God hates. Malachi It is something God hates. Malachi

2:14-162:14-16 There is only one Scriptural cause – There is only one Scriptural cause –

fornication. Matthew 19:9fornication. Matthew 19:9 It often leads to adulterous second It often leads to adulterous second

marriages. Matthew 19:9; 5:32.marriages. Matthew 19:9; 5:32.19



Scriptural Re-MarriageScriptural Re-Marriage.. People whose mates are deceased. People whose mates are deceased.

Romans 7:2-3Romans 7:2-3 Individuals who put their mates away for Individuals who put their mates away for

the cause of fornication. Matthew 19:9.the cause of fornication. Matthew 19:9.

NOTE: This is permission granted to the NOTE: This is permission granted to the “innocent party.” God does not authorize “innocent party.” God does not authorize a license to sin! cf. Proverbs 13:15a license to sin! cf. Proverbs 13:15

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Three parties to a lawful marriageThree parties to a lawful marriage..

1.1. One manOne man

2.2. One womanOne woman

3. 3. God!God! God does the joining together only when God does the joining together only when

a marriage is approved by his law. a marriage is approved by his law. ONE exception … for divorce.ONE exception … for divorce. God set the conditions for joining and God set the conditions for joining and

God set the conditions for dissolving.God set the conditions for dissolving. 21



marriage, divorce and remarriage matthew 19:1-9 1

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