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The following article comes from the Mennonites. It clearly and
thoroughly articulates the teachings of Jesus on divorce and remarriage.
 In
approaching the problems brought on by the evils of divorce and
remarriage, we need first to understand the Scriptural significance of
marriage. Marriage was ordained by God in the creation and is confirmed
in the New Testament by Jesus Christ. Marriage is a relationship between
one man and one woman, dissoluble only by death. It involves a
voluntary, unreserved commitment to each other for life and supersedes
all other human relationships. Marriage is a union which is recognized
and validated by God, whether the contract is solemnized by the church
or by the state and whether the contracting persons are believers or
unbelievers. (Genesis 2:21-24; Matthew
19:3-6; Mark 10:6-9; Hebrews 13:4)
In order to establish a Scriptural
position on divorce and remarriage, we must also consider the
Biblical teaching on adultery. In both Old and New Testaments the
unfaithfulness of God's people is referred to as adultery in a
figurative sense. Literally, adultery means voluntary sexual relations
between a married man and a woman not his wife, or between a married
woman and a man not her husband. However, the Scriptures teach that
adultery involves more than the act of immorality. Adultery is also a
breach of fidelity between husband and wife. Jesus said,
"Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry
another, committeth [or continues to commit] adultery against her."
Such persons enter upon an adulterous relationship.
(Jeremiah 3; Hosea 1, 2, 3; Matthew 16:4;
James 4:4; Matthew 5:32; 19:9; Mark 10:11, 12; Luke 16:18; Romans 7:3)
The indissolubility of the marriage
bond is a principle that is basic to a consistent interpretation and
application of Bible teachings in relation to problems issuing from
divorce and remarriage. When confronted with the question of divorce,
Jesus based His response solidly on God's ordinance in creation when He
said, "Wherefore they are no more twain but one
flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder
[to divide or separate]."
Scripturally, there is nothing which
breaks the marriage bond except death. The act of adultery does not
dissolve the marriage bond, although it decidedly affects the quality of
a marriage relationship and leaves a permanent scar on the persons
involved. A legal document called divorce, from God's point of
view, does not break the marriage bond, else remarriage would not be
adultery. Even the conversion of one of two unbelieving married partners
does not dissolve the marriage bond. If the unbelieving partner should
leave, the marriage bond continues. Divorced persons who enter a second
marriage relation while their first partners are still living may be
recognized by the state as legally married, but
"from the beginning it was not so."
(Matthew 5:31, 32; 19:6-8; Mark 10:4-9;
Prov. 6:32, 33; Romans 7:1-3; 1 Corinthians 10-16, 39)
The church is called to minister
with loving and caring consideration to those who are caught in the
tangles of divorce and remarriage. Concern for their personal salvation
should motivate us to lead them to a full commitment to Jesus Christ and
to show them from the Scriptures those holy principles which regulate
the marriage relationship. While the final decision to separate from an
adulterous relationship would be voluntary, God requires it for
reconciliation to Him. (John 4:13-18;
8:1-11; Romans 15:14; Galatians 6:1-3; Colossians 4:6)
Divorce was granted in the Old
Testament only as a concession and was neither commanded nor
commended by God. Divorce is clearly depicted in the Scriptures as being
in direct contradiction to the original purpose of God and the true
nature of marriage. Principles of the New Testament would allow a
divorced person two options. He may remain unmarried or be reconciled to
his partner. (Deuteronomy 24:1-4;
Matthew 5:31,32; 19:3-8; Mark 10:2-9; 1 Corinthians 7:10,11)
If the divorced person remarries,
he faces far greater and more serious complications. Both single persons
and persons previously married can be involved in an adulterous
remarriage. Circumstances may vary but the consequences are quite
similar. Complications issuing from adulterous remarriages are legion
and do not have easy answers. For many, their first marriage was
contracted before conversion. Since the Scriptures teach that marriage
is validated by God, whether contracted by believers or unbelievers, we
believe the first marriage is still binding as long as both are living.
(Matthew 5:32; 19:9; Mark 10:11, 12; Luke
16:18; Romans 7:3; Hebrews 13:4)
Some couples claim that in their
adulterous remarriage they have discovered real marital compatibility.
This only points up a grave weakness in modern society. Marriage is
depicted as an experience of selfish gratification rather than a
commitment to life-long fidelity.
(1 Corinthians 6:9-20; 1 Thessalonians 4:2-8; Ephesians 5:22-23)
A very real test comes when children
are born in an adulterous marriage relationship. To dissolve such a
family unit may cause the children extreme suffering. However, children
are also caused to suffer similarly from divorce of original partners or
from being born out of wedlock. Such consequences are touching, and are
a grim reminder that in the wake of sin there are many innocent
sufferers. (Proverbs 6:32, 33; 13:15;
Galatians 6:7, 8)
To legally dissolve an adulterous
remarriage relationship in our culture generally requires either
annulment or divorce. If to effect either annulment or divorce means
that one partner must become an aggressor at law against the other, such
an action would be in conflict with the Bible teaching on nonresistance.
We believe that a simple separation would be consistent with the
teaching of Scripture. (1
Corinthians 6:1-8)
In keeping with the Bible principles
of practical holiness, Christian expediency, and a blameless witness, we
believe it would be inconsistent for couples who sincerely repent of
their adulterous marriage relationship to continue to live in the same
dwelling or to maintain close relationships. However, since there are
often children born in adulterous marriage relationships, Christian
integrity would require that a believing father bear responsibility for
the material support and care of his children.
(Romans 13:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:22; Hebrews 12:1; 1
Corinthians 6:9-12; 10:23; Ephesians 5:8-17; Philippians 2:15, 16; 1
Peter 2:12; 1 Timothy 5:8)
There are cases where an
adulterous remarriage relationship is legally and legitimately
dissolved. If a person involved in such a relationship was previously
married and there is a mutual desire on the part of the original
partners to be reunited, there is no New Testament principle that
forbids it. The teaching of the New Testament is that the original
marriage bond is indissoluble, except by death, and the tenor of the New
Testament is reconciliation and return. On the other hand, if a person
involved in an adulterous marriage relationship was previously single
and desires to be legitimately married, the case is more complex. While
such a marriage may not be specifically forbidden in the New Testament,
we believe it would not be an expedient practice for the church to
follow. (Matthew 19:6-12; Mark 10:9-12;
Romans 7:1-3; 1 Corinthians 6:9-12; 7-10, 11; 10:23; Galatians 6:7)
In conclusion, we believe the
church is called to demonstrate the holiness and permanency of the
marriage relationship. Furthermore, she is commissioned to make
disciples of all nations and to teach them how to follow the commands of
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Officially adopted as a
statement of position and policy on June 24, 1983, by the Southeastern
Mennonite Conference.
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