Divorce and Re-marriage
The seventh of the Ten Commandments, given in Exodus 20:14, says, "Thou shalt not commit adultery."
This commandment, as are the others, is not only taught, but is made more binding and more detailed by Christ in the New Testament. In Matthew 5:27-28 Jesus said, "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."
According to Luke 16:18 divorce and remarriage is adultery. In that verse Jesus said, "Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery." Modern misinterpretation has made Matthew 5:32 and Matthew 19:9 to be very popular verses by alleging them to contain an "exception." A closer look at these verses reveals that the exception is "fornication," not adultery. Fornication refers to that which is committed before marriage. Adultery refers to that which is committed after marriage. The exception set forth in those verses refers to the putting away of an "espoused wife" as Joseph was minded to do with Mary who "was espoused to Joseph," when "before they came together, she was found with child" (Matthew 1:18-19). If the exception given in the previous verses was in reference to divorce after the consummation of marriage, the exception would be stated as being for the cause of adultery rather than "for the cause of fornication" (Matthew 5:32). In consideration of the husband and wife relationship being typological of Christ and church (Ephesians 5:22-33), the blood-bought believer should want to be especially diligent in marital matters. In Romans 13:8-12 this commandment is taught, as are others, and adultery is referred to as one of the "works of darkness" that are to be "cast off." 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 teaches us that "neither fornicators . . . nor adulterers . . . shall inherit the kingdom of God." Revelation 22:15 says, "For without are . . . whoremongers. . . ." Ephesians 5:5-9 says "no whoremonger . . . hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."
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