What does "commits adultery" in Luke 16:18 teach about marital faithfulness? Verse in Focus “Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” (Luke 16:18) Key Observations • Jesus speaks without qualifiers here—“everyone” covers every disciple. • The verbs “divorces” and “marries” are present tense participles; the action is viewed as ongoing. • “Commits adultery” (Greek: moicheuō) is likewise present tense, underscoring a continuous breach, not a one-time slip. • In the same sentence Jesus addresses both the one initiating the divorce and the one entering a new union with a divorced spouse, showing shared responsibility for faithfulness. The Weight of “Commits Adultery” • Adultery is condemned in the Decalogue (Exodus 20:14) and throughout Scripture (Proverbs 6:32; Hebrews 13:4). • By labeling remarriage after a wrongful divorce as adultery, Jesus teaches that God still recognizes the first covenant, even if a civil paper says otherwise. • Parallel passages reinforce the point: – Matthew 5:31-32 and 19:3-9 show that illegitimate divorce plus remarriage equals adultery. – Mark 10:11-12 echoes Luke, emphasizing permanency. • The covenantal nature of marriage goes back to Genesis 2:24—“the two will become one flesh.” That union is meant to last “until death do us part.” Implications for Marital Faithfulness Today • Faithfulness includes honoring the marriage covenant when no one is looking—emotional loyalty counts as much as physical fidelity (Matthew 5:27-28). • Divorce for reasons short of biblical grounds (sexual immorality, as clarified in Matthew 19:9) does not dissolve the one-flesh bond before God. Remarriage after such a divorce places a person in an ongoing state of adultery. • Taking marriage vows means embracing lifelong exclusivity. Accepting this teaching guards couples from entertaining “escape clauses” when difficulties arise. • The broader witness of Scripture upholds reconciliation and forgiveness within marriage (1 Corinthians 7:10-11), encouraging spouses to pursue restoration rather than dissolution. Guarding Our Hearts and Homes • Cultivate daily habits of transparency, prayer, and mutual submission (Ephesians 5:21-33). • Seek wise, godly counsel early when conflict surfaces; isolation breeds temptation. • Protect the marriage bed by resisting emotional affairs, pornography, and any influence that trivializes covenant loyalty. • Remember Malachi 2:16—God hates divorce because it “covers one’s garment with violence.” Protecting marriage protects families, churches, and the testimony of Christ to a watching world. Luke 16:18 therefore teaches that marital faithfulness is covenantal, lifelong, and exclusive. Any union that dismisses that covenant is not merely an unfortunate choice but an ongoing act God calls adultery. Honoring our vows honors Him. |
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