What did Jesus and His Disciples Say?
“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?’ Wherefore
they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put
asunder.” They say unto him, “Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to
put her away?” He saith unto them, “Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put
away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. And 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 19:3-9)
There were two popular thoughts of reason in Jesus’ time called the “Hillel” and the “Shammai.”
Jesus brought many new ideas into the minds of men and none were more pure, loving, and holy than
His.
The “Hillel” believed it was okay to divorce for any reason but the “Shammai” taught that adultery was
the only legitimate reason.
Jesus sent shockwaves with His reply, leaving no room for compromise, permitting no way out of the
union, closing the doors to divorce and remarriage once and for all saying, “And 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)
Here in this passage, as well as in Matthew 5:31-32, Jesus was referring to the Jewish betrothal process
which was much more binding than our typical engagement. So much so, that Matthew refers to
Joseph as Mary’s husband though they were only betrothed and never came together intimately.
(Matthew 1:18-19) Jesus makes a distinction between adultery (moiceia) and fornication (porneia) in
Matthew 15:19. Also 1 Corinthians 6:9, Galatians 5:19 and Mark 7:21 separate the sins of porneia
from moiceia. The separation implies that when moiceia is used instead of porneia and porneia rather
than moiceia, there is a definite plan. I do not see it as a loose choice of words, but that our Lord, as
usual, intended on using these words in such ways as He did, and so did His apostles. Other cultures,
as you’ll read later did not have the betrothal covenant as the Jews, therefore they were husband and
wife when they got married. When Jesus gave the exception clause in Matthew’s gospel it was
pertaining not to moiceia (adultery) but porneia (fornication). He was saying that once a couple is
betrothed the union may only be dissolved for this offense alone. This silenced the Pharisees and
religious leaders, I am sure. The liberal hillel thinkers in that day were certainly put to shame, but even
more so the proud shammai. For these held the highest standard of their time concerning divorce.
Jesus did not match their standard by saying except it be for moiceia (adultery) but porneia
(fornication) bringing their pride low and the standard much higher.
Betrothal was only dissolved on the grounds of fornication, with not light consequences, if for any
other reason. If this betrothal were dissolved for any other reason, Jesus stated the charge would be
adultery if they married someone else.
The groom would prepare a Ketubah, or marriage contract, which he would present to his anticipated
bride and her father. There was also a Mohar “Bridal Price” included which would be comparable to
the sum total it costs her family in raising her; this also served as an expression of his love.
Once a couple was betrothed they were considered legally married prior to the consummation of the
marriage. Thus the reason for Jesus’ exception saying, “Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it
be for fornication and shall marry another, committeth adultery; and whoso marrieth her that is put
away doth commit adultery.”
This tradition, which was supported by Jewish law and custom, if proven that the woman being
married was not a virgin upon sexual consummation, provided that a husband could put away his wife.
Such was the case with Joseph and Mary the mother of Jesus. Joseph was going to put her away for
porneia (fornication), but the angel revealed to him that she was with Child by the Holy Spirit.
(Matthew 1:19)
The disciples Mark, Luke, and Paul understood this and that is why they wrote what they wrote, as we’
ll see later.
I will note that the interval between betrothal and marriage could have lasted for several years, usually
no longer than twelve months, but was eliminated for several factors during the Middle Ages when the
current practice of combining the two was instituted.
Jesus used the word porneia (fornication) instead of the word moiceia (adultery) knowing that sexual
immorality outside the consummation of marriage would be just that-fornication.
However, once marriage has been consummated, it is no longer called porneia, but moiceia (adultery).
Webster’s 1828 states that fornication is incontinence or lewdness of unmarried persons, male or
female.
Jesus was asked the question by political leaders on legal matters, “Is it lawful for a man to put away
his wife for every cause?” And again, “Why then did Moses command to give a writing of
divorcement and to put her away?”
He answered, “From the beginning it was not so.” The word “was” meaning that it has not changed,
for God’s will is permanent, never vacillating.
The original ordinance has not been abrogated nor been altered but remains in force.
Jesus’ teaching on marriage as well as His other teachings, were composed of a love and holiness
which surpassed the minds of every age, as they soared beyond the partisan expectations and opinions
of the controversialists who only sought His harm, and into the blissful region of eternal truth.
Jesus taught love your enemies, turn the cheek, and forgive infinitely. I do not think His love stops at
adultery. What is man that He should agree with him? Just as the heavens are higher than the earth
are not His thoughts and ways higher than ours? I am sure that the Pharisees blushed at His answer.
“What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” Notice the word “what” not
“who.” The union of both male and female is instituted and created by God, not the two persons.
Therefore man cannot separate the two whom God has joined.
“Consider the work of God; for who can make straight what He has made crooked?” (Ecclesiastes 7:
13) Consider our material universe; man cannot create or destroy it but only change it from one form
to another. The laws God has set in our world man can defy but not change or delete. The law of
thrust may supersede the law of gravity, however, the law of gravity remains intact. Human law will
never prevail, God’s law.
They can provide papers, seek approval from men, renounce their vows but it will never undo what
God has done. This is why Jesus says, “Whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband
commits adultery.”
Both husband and wife must learn to, “Love one another, even as Christ has loved them.” (John 15:
12)
“And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for fornication, and marries another, commits
adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.” His disciples said to Him, “If
such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” (Matthew 19:9-10) For those who
disagree on making a distinction between porneia and moiceia read carefully. We learn here that if a
man marries a woman who is divorced, even though he isn’t aware of it, it is still adultery. This could
be another reason for the exception clause, because she is another man’s wife. And the reason for the
disciples’ response, if such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry. If you marry
a person who is divorced, their original covenant is still in force, it belongs to their first union.
Therefore it is porneia (sexual immorality) to enter a second union while the former spouse is still
living. The Vatican Codex is a Greek manuscript belonging to the Vatican library, and reads Matthew
19:9 as follows: Now I say this to you: anyone who divorces his wife -- I am not speaking of an
illegitimate marriage -- and marries another, is guilty of adultery.
For those who believe that Jesus permitted divorce for the cause of fornication, does this mean that a
spouse has the legal right to divorce if their marriage partner fall’s short with their eyes? For, He said,
whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
(Matthew 5:28) Certainly not!
St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan from 374-397 A.D.
“You dismiss your wife, therefore, as if by right and without being charged with wrongdoing; and you
suppose it is proper for you to do so because no human law forbids it; but divine law forbids it.
Anyone who obeys men should stand in awe of God. Hear the Law of the Lord, which even they who
propose our laws must obey: “What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.” –Commentary
on Luke 389 A.D.
Ambrose taught:
We have no right to dismiss our spouses.
What human law allows, God may disallow.
We are to obey God rather than men.
Man cannot separate the marriage union even using a certificate of divorcement.
You will be charged with sin for putting away your spouse.
Political leaders should be mindful that they too have a Judge who is taking into account the laws
which they endorse.
Moving on to Mark’s Gospel:
Mark understood the Jewish betrothal process so he left out the exception clause ‘saving for the cause
of fornication.’
“And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery
against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth
adultery.” And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples
rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them,
“Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not
enter therein.” And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. And
when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him,
“Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said unto him… “Thou
knowest the commandments, ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false
witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.” And he answered and said unto him, “Master,
all these have I observed from my youth.” Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him,
“One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt
have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying,
and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.”
Mark recorded the same passage from Matthew 19:1-9 however he left out the exception clause.
Something as big as this could not have simply escaped his attention; also he was inspired by the Holy
Spirit to leave it out, just as Matthew was inspired to leave it in. We will learn for what purpose later.
Jesus taught that divorce and remarriage is adultery, whether male or female.
The marriage covenant is permanent and therefore the cause of adultery if a husband or wife should
seek another union.
Just as a child is weaned by its mother so are we weaned by the instruction, affection, and discipline of
Jesus.
“He took them up in His arms,” this indicates that these children were but babes in the loving embrace
of our Master. I think of the Psalmist who wrote, “Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes
lofty… Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother; like a
weaned child is my soul within me.” (Psalm 131:1-2)
We must receive the kingdom of God as a little child. I don’t recall seeing a proud look on the face of
a baby. We must humble ourselves to enter the kingdom of heaven. The mind of a child is like an
open journal, and the pen is the word of the Lord which does write upon the mind the blessed words
which are spirit and life.
The man asked Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered, “Do not commit
adultery.” For those who practice such things have not humbled themselves as a little child and obeyed
the Lord, so they too will not inherit the kingdom of heaven. (Galatians 5:19)
“Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said to him, ‘One thing you still lack.’”
Could it be that Jesus is beholding the church, whom He loves, but His church is not beholding His
righteousness?
Jesus is willing to tell those He loves the one thing they lack. I would add that, He tells them because
He loves them.
Jesus is willing to let us walk away sorrowful from having made the wrong choice. He is not going to
bribe you, lie to you, or deceive you by any means.
He knows the pain and struggles we face, but also that His grace is sufficient.
[Food for thought: It is apparent to me that God would not allow the Jews, who theologians agree that
Matthew was writing to, permission to divorce for the cause of fornication but disallow it for the
Romans and Greeks who Mark and Luke wrote to in their Gospels. Mark and Luke would not be
ignorant of the betrothal covenant as described in Deuteronomy 22:23-27. They were familiar with the
binding process. This is why they left out the exception clause ‘except it be for fornication’. But even
if I am wrong in this, Jesus made it clear that whoever divorces their spouse and marries another,
commits adultery. During the first century, marriage in the Roman culture, known as sine manū, was a
very easy process much like ours today where the marriage vows are spoken before consenting
witnesses, on the wedding day. Also the Greeks had a three day process which goes as follows: The
first day the father of the bride would prepare a feast and the bride would sacrifice childhood
belongings and follow the prescribed bath. The second day was the betrothal or the Engyésis, where
they said their ‘vows’ (The wedding). The third day was the reception. The marriage covenant was
both established and consummated on the wedding day as it is in American culture. From that moment
on divorce is not an option given to any person by our Lord. It is permanent. So I am sure that Mark
and Luke, being familiar with these customs wrote as they did. The Bible says, “By the mouth of two
or three witnesses every word shall be established.” (2 Corinthians 13:1) Paul, Luke, Mark, and two
accounts of Jesus’ teaching all agree, but Matthew’s single account appears to make an exception,
however as we learned, it has made no such thing for married persons. Again, if I am wrong in this
matter, Jesus made it clear that whoever divorces their spouse and marries another, commits adultery.]
Likewise Luke, was well aware of the Jewish betrothal covenant so his account on divorce and
remarriage is as follows:
“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one
and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” The Pharisees, who dearly loved their
money, heard all this and scoffed at him. Then he said to them, “You like to appear righteous in public,
but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God. “Until John the
Baptist, the law of Moses and the messages of the prophets were your guides. But now the Good
News of the Kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is eager to get in. But that doesn’t mean that
the law has lost its force. It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the smallest point of
God’s law to be overturned. “For example, a man who divorces his wife and marries someone else
commits adultery. And anyone who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.”
(Luke 16:13-18 New Living Translation)
Again Jesus taught that divorce and remarriage is adultery.
You cannot have two masters. You will either devote yourself to Christ and His teachings or despise
Him.
The government of your country may honor a certificate of divorcement but it is detestable in the sight
of God.
It is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for God to revoke His law against divorce and
remarriage.
His words are relevant for every generation. His laws apply as much today as they did yesterday, and
tomorrow, for He remains the same. (Hebrews 13:8)
Paul reiterates what Jesus taught:
“Now, dear brothers and sisters—you who are familiar with the law—don’t you know that the law
applies only while a person is living? For example, when a woman marries, the law binds her to her
husband as long as he is alive. But if he dies, the laws of marriage no longer apply to her. So while her
husband is alive, she would be committing adultery if she married another man. But if her husband
dies, she is free from that law and does not commit adultery when she remarries.” (Romans 7:1-3
New Living Translation)
“But for those who are married, I have a command that comes not from me, but from the Lord. A
wife must not leave her husband. But if she does leave him, let her remain single or else be reconciled
to him. And the husband must not leave his wife. Now, I will speak to the rest of you, though I do not
have a direct command from the Lord. If a Christian man has a wife who is not a believer and she is
willing to continue living with him, he must not leave her. And if a Christian woman has a husband
who is not a believer and he is willing to continue living with her, she must not leave him. For the
Christian wife brings holiness to her marriage, and the Christian husband brings holiness to his
marriage. Otherwise, your children would not be holy, but now they are holy. (But if the husband or
wife who isn’t a believer insists on leaving, let them go. In such cases the Christian husband or wife is
no longer bound to the other, for God has called you to live in peace.) Don’t you wives realize that
your husbands might be saved because of you? And don’t you husbands realize that your wives might
be saved because of you? A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she
is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only if he loves the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 7:10-16, 39 New
Living Translation)
It is adultery to remarry while your original spouse is still living.
It is a command from the Lord that husbands and wives must not separate.
Shall we not rather wait for our husbands and wives to believe or mature in grace and knowledge?
What if God was towards you the way you are with your spouse? If you truly want to win the lost for
Christ begin at home with gentleness, longsuffering, and godly behavior. For if you do not love the
sinner whom you know intimately, how can you love the stranger who sins?
For those who believe that God is too loving to expect a person to live alone, you must remember that
righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. It is not that His love prevents Him from
being holy, but that since He is holy He demands we be loving. For God is love!
If there happens to be a separation the two must remain alone or be reconciled.
A godly person has a tremendous influence upon their spouse and children.
For those who earnestly strive seeking to find a way of escape from the consequences of your own
choices, from the wife or husband you said you love, remember the frightful warning of Jesus, “The
lamp of the body is the eye, therefore if your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light, but if
your eye is bad your whole body will be filled with darkness; take heed, therefore, that the light which
is within you is not really darkness.” Matthew 6:22-23)
The eye here could be desire. If there be any selfish ambition within you, any desire outside of agape
(The Jesus kind of love), watch that you do not pursue after it, knowing that only he who abides in
agape, abides in God and God in him. (1 John 4:16)
In the context of scripture and everything you heard, an adulterous relationship is like a boyfriend and
girlfriend who are living together fornicating. The only difference is that they have a marriage
certificate recognized by the state government. But whose government are you under, God’s or this
world’s? People say, “You’re telling me that God expects me to divorce my wife, because we have
both been married and divorced and this is our second marriage?” Yes, He expects you to separate;
for the status of sin does not change with time, nor will it die of old age. Sin doesn’t stop being sin
simply because you have been in it for so long. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer
therein? (Romans 6:2) The divorce will not be charged as sin by God, because the marriage was not
recognized either. They in their ignorance or want joined themselves together not in holy matrimony,
but in disguised adultery. As Athenagoras said, “A second marriage is only a specious adultery.”
I did not grow up in a Christian home. I did not know that divorce and remarriage was adultery in the
eyes of Jesus. I supposed along with fallen society that if two people had a marriage certificate
regardless of previous divorce, that they were husband and wife. And that adultery was having sexual
relations outside of any marriage. I did not know that a second marriage while the former spouse is
living was adultery. A person who divorces and remarries is having an affair. (Luke 16:18)
A past that many today have forgotten, ignored, or are ignorant of, are the possible millions who have
followed the teachings of Jesus Christ concerning marriage, divorce, and remarriage since the
foundation of the church. Why then are the teachings we hear today diametrically opposed to those
spoken to us by Christ, His apostles, and early church leaders?
Modern Christianity has drifted from the cross!
People have said, concerning leaving the adultery, “I just can’t do it.” Reality would have them admit,
“I won’t do it,” because of the measure of pain involved. They do not die to self through union with
Christ in faith; they harden their hearts and do not believe. They covet, lust, and live for themselves.
They are proud who refuse to heed and are immediately offended when reproved by godly counsel.
“The pride of their own hearts has deceived them.” (Obadiah 3)
They agree that it is the work of the Holy Spirit to regenerate degenerate man, but their agreement
lacks the necessary heartfelt conviction to bring them to repentance.
A common sentiment I have heard is the sympathetic reasoning, “We all sin and stumble at some point
so why is my sin worse than anyone else’s; why am I being condemned?” This is the theme for every
sinner who loves their sin. They want God to accept them and their sin, but they do not want to be
cleansed from it; they merely want forgiveness.
Does a Christian practice sin? Of course not! Does a Christian ever sin after the new birth? Usually!
What is the difference between the two? I make plans to practice for my tennis game. Sally practices
algebra to prepare for her final. Joe is practicing parallel parking to do well on his driving test.
Christians do not practice sin in this way.
The Holy Spirit and the word of God is guiding them into all truth, convicting them of sin,
righteousness, and judgment, refining character, and redefining what love is. The Christian then sees
an area needing work and immediately grace is applied, and they turn from whatever it was they were
doing, thinking or feeling.
“For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn
from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness,
and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our
great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin,
to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. You must
teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them
when necessary, so don’t let anyone disregard what you say.” (Titus 2:11-15 New Living Translation)
We are not free to live in disobedience to God, but we are free to live righteously.
This freedom is the product of Divine Influence otherwise known as grace.
His life in us frees us from every kind of sinful practice, and releases us for good deeds.
When brothers and sisters are in error, or living in sin, we are to correct them as necessary.
The amazing thing about God’s grace is not that He calls us His children, even though we are living
sinful lives. The amazing thing about His grace is that we did nothing to merit the power and ability
freely given to us by God so that we may conform to the image of His Son, daily engaging ourselves in
holy living for the love of Him.
Grace is the ability to have fellowship with God from walking in the light as He is in the light.
A doctrine of grace that insinuates to the slightest degree that it is okay to continue sinning, or justifies
sinful living is in no way a doctrine of God but is a doctrine of demons. Those who believe such things
belong to the master of puppets, that ancient deceiver, the devil.
Matthew 18:2-7 implies that it would be better for those who are teaching falsely to have a millstone
hung around their necks and be cast into the sea.
If you believe that confessing Jesus as your Lord will save you, you do well. But we must believe in
our heart. For He says, “Why do you call [or confess] Me [as] Lord and not do the things which I tell
you to do.” (Luke 6:46) If we believe He is Lord we don’t end with a confession, rather that is where
we begin.
Many today have adopted the rationale “We all fall short,” in order to create loopholes around the
restraining teachings of Christ. Jesus really hits the point home in Luke 16:13-18.
Why is it that it takes a letter of this length today to persuade people of the truth that the apostles wrote
so little on? It is the loopholes men have created. It reminds me of the whole issue on abortion which
we are faced with today because the righteous lost the debate. This happened because there were no
moral absolutes. Truth became relevant in the minds of society; therefore people began doing what
was right in their own eyes. This is exactly what has happened in the church concerning divorce and
remarriage.
Hebrews 10:26-31 tells us that it is an insult to the Spirit of Grace to go on willfully sinning! These are
presumptuous sins. Why is it an insult? Because, grace saves us from our sins! Grace empowers us
to obey God. Grace will set you free. It is an insult to His Majesty to say anything contrary!
God judges those who are outside but we must judge those who are inside. (1 Corinthians 5:12-13) In
matters of faith and doctrine we must judge decisively.
When it comes to love, the church is bankrupt. From offenses small and great that occur in marriages
the church is proving to the world how weak and shallow the love of Christ is, offering no hope to the
world. But the love of Christ is mightier than any mountain, deeper than any sea, stretching farther
than the east is to the west, so why is this happening?
False messengers have brainwashed millions and mis-taught the morals Christ brought to us in the
Gospels.
He said, “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:12)
Christians today are living without the laws of marriage so their love is growing cold. Divorce is the
product of cold love. Cold love is the product of lawlessness.
“Where there is no vision the people cast off restraint.” (Proverbs 29:18) Preachers are not sharing
Jesus’ vision for marriage. Nothing is restraining them from divorce or remarriage.
Then if God sends a message to the church they turn their ears away from the hearing of it. “He who
turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.” (Proverbs 28:9) God is
saying, if you will not hear Me then I will not listen to you.
Pride breeds selfishness, which then gives birth to all manner of children such as unforgiveness,
divorce, and greed.
How can so many believers say there is mercy for their adultery, but not for the homosexual,
fornicator, or prostitute?
We say, “That is too hard of a teaching and ask where the grace is in that message,” when a person is
being told to leave their adulterous relationship and to remain alone or be reconciled to their spouse; but
these same people condemn others for their immorality.
The homosexual, fornicator, prostitute, and those addicted to porn have just as much to suffer as the
adulterer. These people are placing a yoke on others that they themselves are not willing to bear.
Jesus called them hypocrites.
They’re turning the eyes of others from their own sin and onto the sins of others. Jesus said, “Judge
not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the
measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’
s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me
remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the
plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
(Matthew 7:1-5) This was a teaching on how to judge righteously, not to forbid judging, for He also
commanded, “Judge with righteous judgment.” (John 7:24) If you attempt to remove the speck of
fornication or homosexuality from another person’s eye, you must first remove the log of adultery out
of your own eye, otherwise you are a hypocrite! (Matthew 7:4)
Paul wrote more about it in Romans 2:21-24.
The church has tolerated adultery and has pitied the suffering of those who need to repent, to the point
that it is prevailing inside, almost as much as it is outside the church, but in about twenty more years
what will we be tolerating?
In some denominations the church has already approved of homosexual leadership! A little bit of
leaven leavens the whole lump.
Those who uphold the Biblical Christian marriage are scorned by religious leaders and the majority as
legalists attempting to work their way to heaven and merit their own salvation.
But those leaders prey upon the minds of the simple, to deceive them. They do not serve our Lord
Jesus Christ but their own bellies, trusting that their congregation will never have such a secure
relationship with God as to confront their pastor or congregation on this topic.
The Bible’s clear teaching on marriage, divorce, and remarriage was upheld by the church from the
days of the apostles of Christ, until around the 1500’s when protestant reformation was gaining the
ascendancy in England.
The people had been in horrible bondage to the Roman Catholic Church and its false teachings. Then,
they believed that Latin was a holy language and that if the Bible were to be translated into any other it
would defile the Word of God.
They believed this to the extent that the Roman Catholic Church in England burned hundreds of
Christians alive for merely praying the Lord’s Prayer in English, having an English copy of the Bible,
or translating the Bible into English. Some were hung over the fire just high enough so that their bodies
would not catch but slowly roast instead.
A popular place where performed such odious behavior was in Smithfield, England.
What began as a noble cause worth dying for, to liberate and satisfy the poor needy souls of boys and
girls who couldn’t afford an education so as to learn Hebrew, Greek, or Latin, that their lives may be
blessed by the reading of God’s word through translating the Bible into English, gave way to some
raunchy, corrupt, and profane delusions.
Some scholars of that time saw the opportunity to sow bad seeds among the people who wanted so
desperately to be free from the dominion of Catholicism enabling them to simply worship God in their
own tongue. But it has led to much more than this.
The breaking away from the religious strongholds of the times produced confusion between personal
liberty and the freedom to behave contrary to scripture, igniting antinomian tendencies.
According to Webster’s 1828 dictionary, antinomians are those of a sect of Christianity who maintains,
that, under the gospel dispensation, the law is of no use or obligation; or who hold doctrines which
supersede the necessity of good works and a virtuous life.
Against the fruits of the Spirit there are no laws. Consequently there are laws against the works of the
flesh which are adultery, fornication… (Galatians 5:19-24) Some of these reformers aimed at taking
the cross out of Christianity. To remove the crucible from the Christian, but, “Those who are Christ’s
have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:24)
John Calvin was a literary genius, but he was also a murderer, and you know that no murderer has
eternal life abiding in him. (1 John 3:15) John Calvin consented to a man named Michael Servetus,
being burned at the stake. In a letter he wrote shortly after Michael's death, he said, "Many people
have accused me of such ferocious cruelty that they allege I would like to kill again the man I have
destroyed. Not only am I indifferent to their comments, but I rejoice in the fact they spit in my face...
Whoever shall now argue that it is unjust to put heretics and blasphemers to death will knowingly and
willingly incur their very guilt." However, I wish to expose his erroneous teaching concerning divorce
and remarriage. He taught that divorce was permissible on the grounds of adultery, and that the
innocent party was free to marry. It was not for adultery, but fornication that Christ gave the
exception clause and another union while the spouse was living consummated adultery. It appears to
me that humanism had penetrated much of Calvin’s theology.
Geneva law permitted either spouse to seek a divorce on the grounds of adultery, desertion, impotence,
or frigidity. Those grounds are nothing more than sand. Their exegeses on marriage, divorce, and
remarriage were not founded on the solid rock of Jesus’ teachings, but on the shifting sands of
humanism. How will their work endure? Their words bear no weight of reality. Jesus’ words are
eternal! They will not pass away, but remain in effect throughout every generation, for He is the same
yesterday, today, and forever!
Martin Luther was among those who sowed bad seeds and taught the people to commit bigamy and
adultery, by such acts as sanctioning Philip of Hesse’s second marriage. Philip did not love his wife
though she bore him seven children; he was licentious. Luther also murdered those who would not
conform to his state church. It is not hard to discover this gruesome reality of Luther, only a little
study in the history books will teach you, for he was said to have condoned thousands of deaths.
This same Philip of Hesse was amid the champions of the reformation, who founded the first
protestant university located in Marburg during 1527. You can imagine the rapid effects of his
adulterous union, spreading like an infectious airborne disease from the preacher to the people, then
from family to family. It had a spell binding effect upon the minds of men.
His argument for a second wife was based on 1 Timothy 3:2, “A bishop then must be blameless, the
husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach.” Philip
knew that there were no grounds for divorce, so he defended his right to bigamy by arguing that only
the clergy could have one wife, and that laity could have more. His delusion was evident as he used
examples from the Old Testament; however the minds of the people were effectively swayed not only
by the theologians of their day but by their own carnal desires.
Where some might have restrained themselves from such lewdness for fear of God, the boldness of
Philip along with the approval of protestant leadership, such as from Martin Luther and Philip
Melanchthon, seemed to instantaneously sear the consciences of the common people, so that they
followed their apostatizing ways.
The apostle was saying that bishops may only have one wife-period, even though the first wife dies.
For someone like me who travels frequently, a second marriage could be misconstrued as adultery if I
was to revisit churches and cities where I have ministered with my first wife, though she was dead.
This is why the apostle asserts at the beginning of his account of bishops, that, “A bishop must be
blameless.” The position of a bishop is held in such high esteem that many who become born again
covet such a calling. However the requirements and judgments are stricter, even for teachers. (James
3:1) These judgments should make every person who desires such a service to think fearfully before
venturing out foolishly into destruction.
Luther and others like him permitted divorce and remarriage on the grounds of adultery, violence, and
the desertion of the other. They taught that if you cannot get along with your spouse and live in
harmony one with another, and have continual hatred in your hearts then you can divorce. In other
words, if you cannot subdue your flesh, break God’s laws.
In this area they degraded God’s royal law of love and I would say that if you cannot love your wife
whom you have seen, then you cannot love God whom you have not seen, as it is written: If a man
say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath
seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? (1 John 4:20)
John Calvin was more conservative in his religious thoughts on divorce, but like Luther, more liberal in
his practice. Their theology was a composite comprised of truths in the Bible and ideas taught by
humanism, but their church model was still Old Testament.
Many today have the same syndrome that James mentioned in scripture, who some of these reformists
discredit: “Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say,
“How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my
good deeds.” (James 2:18 New Living Translation)
This was the same syndrome or leaven the Pharisees must have had—hypocrisy. They merely held to
the high standard of the Bible in word and in tongue, not in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:18)
However, William Tyndale (Who translated the Bible into English) held that adultery was the only
clause for divorce. Where he and John Knox (Founder of the Scottish Presbyterianism) erred was that
the adulterers should be put to death, because of Mosaic Law.
In fact, both John Knox and John Calvin deprecated civil authorities for not putting the adulterers to
death! They felt it was an injustice to the innocent party to not condemn the adulterer by death, so
that upon the demise of the adulterous spouse the innocent party could be released from the union and
remarry.
They were saying that a person (the adulterer) should die so that the other would be free to remarry. I
could not imagine the amount of hatred it must take to put my wife to death, regardless of the offense.
They probably held to this severity so by this example others would not follow and would turn from
even thinking about adultery. However, Christ came to teach us the better way, the way of agape.
If He told Peter to forgive his repentant brother up to seventy times seven, indicating that we should
always forgive the brother who has offended, how much more our wives and husbands? In response
to Jesus’ command to forgive, the apostles cried out, “Lord, increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5) In other
words: Lord it is difficult for me to believe what you are saying, because it is so tough for me to do.
Our faith in Jesus is expressed through agape.
Our faith in Him energizes our love toward others. It doesn’t matter the size of the offense, the love of
Jesus Christ is stronger and He demands us to forgive even as we ourselves have been forgiven.
I do not doubt in my heart that there were some leaders of the protestant reformation which had an
affectionate love for Christ and His church, but that they were simply in error. For if nothing can
separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus, then nothing should separate wives from the
love of their husbands; for husbands are to love their wives even as Christ loves the church.
(Ephesians 5:25)
It is terrifying how they forgot our Master’s words, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast
a stone at her.” (John 8:7) This woman was caught in the very act of adultery and according to the
Law of Moses was to be stoned to death, but Jesus told her to go and sin no more. Jesus thus
abrogated this old law by His deed and brought a new one saying, “What therefore God hath joined
together, let not man put asunder.” (Matthew 19:6) He then added, “Moses because of the hardness
of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.” (Matthew
19:8)
Now adding to the whirlwind of confusion in distinguishing human from Divine law and Christian
liberty, humanism was gaining the sovereignty over the reformation. Desiderius Erasmus was named
the “Prince of the humanists”.
In England he made some lifelong friends who showed him how to reconcile ancient faith with
humanism. Humanism teaches that concern for human interests, values, and dignity are paramount.
That the chief reason for being is the happiness of man. Because humanism had pervaded his theology
Erasmus rejected the indissolubility of marriage which is a cardinal principle of the Christian faith, for it
illustrates the eternal union of Christ and His church. Thus setting aflame the deception that truth is
relevant; that what is lawful in the eyes of the majority is right whether it contradicts the Word of
Truth.
Its effects are blinding because when the government and politicians share many religious views with
the people, though not all are shared and in perfect harmony with scripture, the weak and ignorant are
succumbed to believe that the laws of the land are established by God. That what is permissive
according to human law, God allows.
A common thread that binds some humanistic reformers together is that they discredited the books of
James, Hebrews, and Revelation as being divinely inspired or having apostolic authority.
They assaulted these books because it weakened their theological views. Some, not all of their
teachings, were built on sand, so they had to deny the books which exposed it and put them in
suspicion. However as we know today these books are still in our Bible and we have benefitted
immensely from them.
Have you ever fasted for a good length of time, when you didn’t want to, and upon completion or prior
to doing so, indulge yourself with food even if it wasn’t something you would normally eat?
In the same way the people of England were weary with the Catholic man made traditions and laws.
In an attempt to break away from manmade religion they divided themselves from the Law of God.
The Protestants were guided into and misguided from truth by the reformers of their time.
What are the results?
Just read a magazine cover, even a Christian one or watch a Christian movie. These aberrations from
the Renaissance period have, like a fountain, trickled down into the following generations so that I am
persuaded that the prophetic time table in which we live or are near to is Matthew 24:22 “And unless
those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved.”
In 2008 the national average of divorced Americans was 33% while all the born again Christians was a
whopping 32%, nearly identical to unbelievers. The stigma of divorce has been eradicated by liberal
leaders of the church, providing a rite of passage to remarry with no sense of guilt or fear of being
penalized by God for their crime.
The disposition of them which be born again in today’s church era is tragic, being spellbound by the
utter defiance of God’s righteousness and justice amongst the self proclaiming Christians.
I use the word spellbound when talking about the sin of divorce and remarriage for this purpose: Say
there was one person in adultery to every one hundred out of a sum total of ten thousand professing
Christians. This would mean, in that congregation there is one hundred people in adultery. That is just
one percent. But it is not that way today. If it were, this sin would seem so small to repent from; but
recent stats will show that twenty five percent of adults have had at least one divorce in their lifetime.
Those who persist in this kind of relationship remain diametrically opposed to Jesus’ teaching and those
who fellowship with these are just as guilty of their vices and contribute to the degradation of the
church’s morale. Children, as well as new converts are mesmerized being born into a spiritual society
whereby elderly example rebellion is guised under the cloak of grace.
The only hope for the new born is that they study the Bible learning to rightly divide the word of truth
for themselves as we all are exhorted to do. (2 Timothy 2:15)
A terrible hindrance is this: Spiritual babes, new Christians, see religious leaders and others who have
been attending church services for a longer time than they, bold in their witness and profession of faith,
though the older haven’t submitted to and accepted all of Jesus’ teachings and there is no fear of
consequence upon their countenance.
A terrible deception: These babes are not mature in the word. So even if they can discern good from
evil they remain unconfident in their ability to do so.
We are to have our senses trained to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:12-14) This is
accomplished through being in God’s word day and night. (Psalm 1:2)
Many are babes do to ignorance and from the word ignorance we get ignore. People are choosing this
ignorance to stay comfortable in their sins.
But the deception is that very prominent and influential religious men, profess Christ as their Lord,
condemn the sins of others while publically, before millions, deny the testimony of God’s word against
their own sin.
They are walking in darkness, saying that they have fellowship with God, saying that they have no sin,
so they are deceived and deceiving, and the truth is not in them. Their only hope is to repent,
confessing their sins to the Lord but not like King Saul did. (1 Samuel 15:10-35) For he repeatedly
exclaimed, “I have sinned,” but his sorrow was pride based, not godly, for he kept sinning by serving
his pride, rather than humbling himself through obedience to God.
With smooth words and flattering speech they deceive the minds of the simple. (Romans 16:18)
The minds of the simple are deceived because they think and have been told that the Bible is too
complicated to understand. They think, who am I to know God’s word and will? So they simply
follow a man instead of Christ.
These leaders have an appearance of a clear conscience but it is really a seared conscience and the only
way to distinguish between the two is to measure what they’re saying with God’s word.
These are the ones Jesus talked about saying, “They are the blind leading the blind; and if the blind
lead the blind will they not both fall into a ditch? (Matthew 15:14) They condemn the homosexual but
approve of their adultery. They are hypocrites.
Those who are trying to enter the kingdom these hinder because of their idolatrous, hypocritical,
adulterous lifestyles. They teach the young ones who believe in Jesus to commit sexual immorality.
They are causing many to stumble.
They piously state that they are sinners like the rest of the world, only forgiven; but be of good cheer,
God still wants to use us all to tell others about Jesus. They love not the beauty of Jesus’ holiness,
causing His Gospel to smell like Gehenna.
They preach grace but haven’t a conception of the meaning and reality of the word. As Jesus said,
they make twice a son of hell as themselves. They teach others how to sear their consciences and then
when the sinner no longer feels condemned they call it faith in God’s grace, even when they are still
practicing their sin.
But Paul says they walk as those who are past feeling. (Ephesians 4:19)
The saddest part is that these ministries keep increasing more and more their influence over people’s
lives. Again, with an appearance of a clear conscience they preach. They show no guilt, even though
others read the word, learn of these peoples sins, and they tell others thank God for His grace, and that
He uses an old sinner like me. They are in darkness, and walk in darkness, and do not know where
they are going because the darkness has blinded their eyes. (1 John 2:10)
The conscience of the church concerning marriage and divorce has been severed by time as with a hot
iron as blind guides having eyes full of adultery, swayed the minds of the simple with smooth words
and flattering speeches; likewise fulfilling the wicked desires of their congregations heeding the people
rather than God’s word.
These crafty men have twisted the truth just enough for comfort.
They exalt their reasoning above the knowledge of God’s word.
The message they proclaim is not holiness but humanism.
They are at best hireling’s who do not care about the eternal security of their sheep, but the sheep,
having been deluded, still hold their hireling in the highest praise as though he does care. Then again
there may be members who know the truth and see the errors, but fear man more than God so they
remain silent.
These leaders parade themselves as holy men of God who are so inflamed with compassion for hurting
people, protesting that is why they do not preach the truth concerning marriage and divorce.
The weight of eternal suffering is much heavier than the burden of repentance.
They hold to an appearance of godliness but deny the reality of His power.
If there has ever been a picture of Matthew 7:21-23 at any time in history, just look at the church
today:
“Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that
doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we
not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many
wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work
iniquity.”
He that does the will of God shall be granted entrance into the Royal City where God dwells. All of
those who work iniquity will be denied. It is not the work we get to do for God, but it is the work He
does in us that is most vital.