Part: 1
In Hebrews 13:4 it is written, "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled; but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." From this verse we would make these observations: (1) There is such a thing as marriage; (2) Marriage is honourable, and we understand this to mean that marriage is honourable in the sight of God; (3) The bed plays a role in marriage. Only in a true marriage do a man and a woman have the right to have physical (sexual) relations with one another; (4) In the eyes of God some people are fornicators and adulterers; (5) God will judge those who whoremongers and adulterers (that is, they will be condemned).
People often ask specific questions about who has the right before God to be married, who has the right to divorce, and who has the right to get married more than one time. To such questions we must give an answer from the Bible, because it is written, "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God" (1 Peter 4:11). We live in a time when there is a great emergency! What is it that is so urgent? The tragedy is that a very high percentage of people in the world do not know God's will as it pertains to marriage and divorce. This calls for action. All people need to be taught immediately what God's will is in this matter. Jesus charged His apostles to teach all nations whatsoever He commanded them (Matthew 28:20), so the Lord's church must tell the world what Jesus Christ teaches about all topics, including marriage and divorce. In this and the next couple of articles we want to look specifically at questions that are directly related to who has the right to marry, divorce, or get married more than one time.
Some topics that we discuss with people are very emotional ones. Marriage and divorce are two topics that involve great emotion and feelings, for in marriage and divorce there can be love, conflict, pain, even hatred. In addition, the marriage or divorce of two people influences the lives of many others around them. As we speak about marriage and divorce in this and future articles, believe us when we say that it is not our intention to cause anyone to have bad memories or unpleasant feelings. We simply want to set forth what the Bible teaches on these matters, and we believe that all of us would agree that there needs to be much teaching done on marriage and divorce so that we, our children, those that we love, and yea, all men, might better understand the Lord's will. Hebrews 13:4 (quoted above) is part of the New Testament of Jesus Christ, so we must not ignore it. The same is true of Revelation 21:8, in which it is stated that whoremongers (fornicators) "shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death." The Bible plainly states that those who are fornicators and adulterers cannot enter the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9,10). In addition, the Holy Spirit clearly commands the church to have no fellowship with members of the church who are involved in such sins (1 Corinthians 5:9-11). That is how serious this topic is! This is a matter that is directly connected with our happiness in this life, the fellowship of the church, and our eternal salvation. It follows that it is necessary and wise for us to study what the Bible says on these matters with a serious and prayerful attitude.
"Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is" (Ephesians 5:17). It is our obligation to know God's will, do it, and correctly teach it to others. Only the truth can make men free (John 8:32), and God's word is our spiritual truth (John 17:17). We understand that the Old Testament is the word of God, and thus is true, but we also know that Jesus abolished the law of Moses and nailed it to the cross (Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 2:14). Jesus Christ has all authority (Matthew 28:18) and with His blood established the New Testament (Matthew 26:28), under which all men live today. "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son" (2 John 9). How is all of this connected with marriage and divorce? We simply want to emphasize that the New Testament or teaching of Christ is the only standard by which we must abide in all matters, including what we do and teach regarding marriage and divorce. In the past many have blindly followed their feelings, the traditions or customs of men, or what some preacher might say in these matters. None of these are acceptable standards, and we must be extremely careful that we do not allow the devil to deceive us into following them
When Jehovah called the young boy Samuel as he served Eli in the tabernacle, Samuel said to Him, "Speak; for thy servant heareth" (1 Samuel 3:10). The next morning after God revealed His message to Samuel, Eli came to Samuel and said, "What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me; God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee . . . it is the Lord; let him do what seemeth him good" (1 Samuel 3:17,18). What a great attitude both Samuel and Eli had toward the word of the Lord God! They both wanted to hear what God's will was for their lives. Eli did not want Samuel to hide or hold back any part of the Lord's message. He wanted to know all that God said, regardless of what the consequences might be. How is this related to marriage and divorce? You and I must imitate the attitude manifested by the last two judges of Israel, Eli and Samuel, and long to know all of God's will about marriage and divorce. Hiding the truth on this topic from one who is ignorant or living in sin is not going to help anyone be saved and escape eternal damnation! Remember, God created man. God is the one who established marriage. God is the one who joins a man and woman in marriage (Matthew 19:4-6). Thus, God, and only God, has the right to decide what is acceptable marriage, who has the right to marry, who has the right to divorce, and who has the right to marry more than once. Therefore, in these and all affairs we must seek to learn and do His will, not ours.
All men living everywhere are under, that is obligated to obey, the teaching or law of Jesus Christ. Christ's teaching (2 John 9), the gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16), and law of Christ (Galatians 6:2) are one and the same. Jesus commanded His apostles, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15), and, "Go ye therefore and teach all nations" (Matthew 28:19). It is thus obvious that Jesus' gospel is for all men of all nations. This is further seen in Acts 17:30, wherein it is written, "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent." If the God of heaven through Jesus His Son commands all men everywhere to do something, then obviously all men in every place are under obligation to obey God's law. Today God has one law for all men, and it is the gospel or New Testament of His dear Son.
What Jesus teaches about marriage and divorce is simply one part of His overall teaching or law. Since all of Jesus' teaching is for all men, then what He and His ambassadors teach about marriage and divorce must be for all men. Jesus said, "I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery; and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery" (Matthew 19:9). When Jesus said "Whosoever" shall put away his wife, He refers to any man of any nation, in Christ or out of Christ. But isn't marriage only for Christians? Let us look more at the conversation between the Pharisees and Jesus. "The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female. And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they twain shall be one flesh" (Matthew 19:3-5). From Jesus' answer we see that "at the beginning" there was already marriage. When Adam and Eve were united in marriage (Genesis 2:24), were they Christians? Of course not. It is thus obvious that marriage is not only for those who are Christians or members of the Lord's church. Marriage existed long before Jesus called men to follow Him and established His church.
A woman once tried to convince me that the relationship that existed between her and her husband was not really a true marriage, because they had never been married "in a church." First of all, in the Bible the word "church" does not mean a physical building or place of assembly, but rather the group of people whom God has called out of the world and into Christ (Matthew 16:18). Second, nowhere is it written in the Bible that a marriage ceremony must take place on the property of the church, or in the place where Christians assemble. In fact, there is nothing in the Bible that in any way indicates that the marriage of a man to a woman is directly related to the church. No, marriage is not a "church ordinance." Well what about the relationship between a husband and wife, if one of them is a Christian and one is not? Is this really a marriage in the sight of God? The church at Corinth received this instruction, "If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him" (1 Corinthians 7:12,13). It is clear that in the eyes of the Lord it is possible for a man and woman to be husband and wife, and thus be in a true marriage, even though one of them is not in Christ. . . .
Part: 2
Friends, Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:15). All authority in heaven and earth is given unto Him (Matthew 28:18). Therefore, all men living in every place are under His authority and obligated to do His will. And yes, that includes obeying His will concerning marriage and divorce.
As we noted in the last part of our previous article, the gospel or law of Jesus Christ applies to all men. Jesus has all authority in heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18), so all men are obligated to obey Him. This is directly related to the questions of who has the right to marry or divorce. Some brethren think that Jesus' teaching on marriage and divorce (specifically what is recorded in Matthew 5:32 and Matthew 19:9) applies to one only after he has been baptized into Christ. But the law of Jesus Christ, including what He teaches about marriage and divorce, is universal; all men are under it. Consider this. If the world (that is, those outside of Christ) is not under the Lord's law, then how does a person in the world sin against Him? On the day of Pentecost Peter commanded Jews who were not disciples of Jesus to repent (Acts 2:38). The apostle Paul declared that God commands all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). But whois in need of repentance? Those who have sinned. To sin means to transgress the law of God (1 John 3:4). The fact that those who are still outside of Christ are considered by God as sinners and in need of repentance proves that they are under the law of Christ. If Jesus' law did not apply to them, then they could not be sinners. Why? "For where no law is, there is no transgression" (Romans 4:15).
Let us look at a specific example from 1 Corinthians chapter six. It is written, "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you; but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God" (6:9-11). In the past some in the congregation in Corinth had participated in the sins listed above. But, now they have been cleansed of these sins. Just when did they sin in such a fashion? Before they became Christians. Notice that one of the things listed is "adulterers." Some of them had committed adultery (been adulterers) before they were baptized into Christ. What does it mean to commit adultery? Adultery is the sexual violation of one's marriage vow, that is, it means for a married person to have physical (sexual) relations with one who is not his spouse. But one cannot commit adultery against his marriage if he is not married! Vine's Expository Dictionary defines an "adulterer" as "one who has unlawful intercourse with the spouse of another." According to the New Testament, adultery includes the idea of being in a so-called marriage with someone other than one's true spouse. "So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress" (Romans 7:3). In the eyes of the Lord some members of the church in Corinth had been guilty of committing adultery before they obeyed the gospel. But if God considered them as adulterers, then they had violated God's law as it pertains to marriage and the sexual privileges one has in marriage. It follows that God considered them as "married" even while they were still in the world (before they became Christians). Therefore, the Lord's teaching on marriage and divorce and proper physical relations between a man and a woman (Hebrews 13:4) applies not only to those who are in Christ, but also to those who are not Christians. This is an extremely important concept that we must not forget.
Which people have the right to marry? One who has never been married has the right before God to marry. "But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned" (1 Corinthians 7:28). One whose spouse has died has the right to marry again, for it is written, "The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 7:39). In Romans 7:2,3 we also read,: "For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is not adulteress, though she be married to another man."
A third category of people who have the right to marry are those who have previously been married, but divorced their spouse because of the spouse's sexually immorality (fornication). Jesus said, "Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery; and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery" (Matthew 19:9). According to this passage, who commits adultery? One who marries a woman who has been divorced. And who else? One who divorces his wife, not due to her fornication, and marries another. If divorce without fornication plus entering a new marriage equals adultery, then it is implied that divorce with (because of one's spouse's) fornication plus entering a new marriage, is not adultery. That is, one whose spouse has committed sexual immorality during the time of their marriage, has the right to divorce her/him and marry another. Please note that the Lord does not command either the divorce or entering the second marriage, but He allows it in such a case (when one's mate has been sexually unfaithful). It is also important to understand that the actual reason for the divorce must be fornication on the part of one's mate. It is possible that a husband committed fornication in the past, but the wife continued to live with him. Then, after several years, when she sees that he is not going to be rich, she decides to divorce him so that she can marry a richer man. Yes, he committed fornication, but if he had become a rich man, the wife would have gladly stayed with him. So, when she later gets a divorce, the real reason is not his fornication, but her worldly desire to have more riches through a richer man. Would this woman have the right to divorce her husband and marry another? No. Why? Again, because she would not be divorcing him due to his fornication.
In connection with the topic of who has the right to be married, with love for the souls of all men we would offer these words of admonition to one who is considering getting married. Entering into marriage is a most serious affair. God's will is for a man and woman to be united in marriage and live together for their whole lives (Matthew 19:4-6). Before you get married, ask yourself: (1) According to the Scriptures do I have the right to be married?; (2) According to the Scriptures does the one whom I desire to marry have the right to be married? Are you sure? If you are not 100% certain on BOTH of these questions, then do not get married. It is that simple. Maybe someone wants to ask, "If I have never been married, or my spouse died, then I have the right to be married, right? So how does the situation of the person to whom I want to marry affect my right to be married? " If a woman divorces her husband (not due to his fornication) and marries another, then she is committing adultery. The proof? "And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery" (Mark 10:12). So, if a man marries such a divorced woman, then in part he will be responsible for her committing adultery. Not only that, but if a man enters into a marriage with such a woman who is divorced, then he also would be living in adultery. The proof? "And whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery" (Matthew 19:9). The most important possession that we have is our eternal soul. It would not be wise for any of us to marry a person when we are not sure if our union with him/her is accepted by the God of heaven, or if it would be adultery in His eyes! Remember, adulterers cannot inherit God's eternal kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9,10). Please do not risk your soul by entering into a marriage when there is doubt about whether you or the one whom you plan to marry has the right in the eyes of the Lord to be married. Yes, Jesus' teaching on marriage and divorce is very strict. His disciples understood this, for after hearing Jesus speak plainly on these topics (Matthew 19:4-9), they reacted by saying to Him, "If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry" (19:10). ...
CHURCH OF CHRIST, P.O. BOX 828, KIEV 252067, UKRAINE
Truths 441 December 1998
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