What does Matthew 19:9 say about divorce and remarriage? Canonical Text Matthew 19:9 — “Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman, commits adultery.” Immediate Literary Context Jesus is responding to Pharisees who test Him on Deuteronomy 24:1–4. He roots His answer first in God’s creation ordinance (“from the beginning,” vv. 4–6) and then in humanity’s hardness of heart (v. 8). Verse 9 functions as His climactic legal-ruling (“I tell you”), tightening rather than loosening Mosaic allowance. Old Testament Background Genesis 1:27; 2:24: marriage is a one-flesh, lifelong union created by God, not a mere social contract. Deuteronomy 24:1–4: Moses permitted a certificate of divorce to restrain hasty abandonment and protect the wife, not to endorse divorce. Malachi 2:14-16: Yahweh calls divorce “treachery” and states, “I hate divorce.” Jesus reaffirms this prophetic sentiment. Historical Jewish Debate (Shammai vs. Hillel) Rabbinic schools differed: Shammai allowed divorce only for sexual indecency; Hillel permitted it for almost any displeasure. Jesus sides with neither but surpasses Shammai by condemning unjustified remarriage as adultery. The “Exception Clause” Explained 1. Narrow (sexual sin within marriage): marital unfaithfulness shatters the one-flesh bond, justifying but not requiring divorce. 2. Betrothal view: porneía refers to premarital unchastity discovered after betrothal (cf. Matthew 1:19). 3. Incest/unlawful marriage view: echoes Acts 15:20. Whichever nuance, the text confines valid divorce to porneía alone; every other cause leaves both parties bound. Remarriage and Adultery When a person divorces on grounds other than porneía and marries another, Jesus declares the new union adulterous because God still recognizes the first covenant (cf. Romans 7:2-3). The plain wording places moral culpability on the divorcer, not the innocent spouse. Parallel Passages for Harmonization Matthew 5:31-32 repeats the exception. Mark 10:11-12 and Luke 16:18 give a categorical prohibition with no exception, addressing a Gentile audience unfamiliar with Mosaic certificates; Matthew’s audience, steeped in Jewish law, receives the clarifying clause. 1 Corinthians 7:10-15 adds Pauline concessions: separation is discouraged; abandonment by an unbeliever leaves the believer “not bound.” Early Church Reception Didache 4. Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian, and Augustine upheld lifelong marriage, allowing separation for sexual sin but commonly forbidding remarriage while the spouse lived, mirroring the patristic consensus that Matthew’s clause is strictly limited. Theological Significance of Covenant Marriage illustrates Christ’s union with His Church (Ephesians 5:22-33). Treachery against one’s spouse distorts that gospel metaphor. The exclusivity of the covenant explains why the resurrected Christ calls adulterous remarriage sin yet extends forgiveness upon repentance (John 8:11). Pastoral and Behavioral Considerations Empirical studies (e.g., National Survey of Families and Households) show divorce correlates with increased depression, poverty, and adverse child outcomes. Scripture’s hard teaching aligns with observable human flourishing: lifelong, faithful marriage best promotes stability and well-being. Practical Application for Believers • Pursue reconciliation wherever possible (Matthew 18:15-17). • Employ church discipline for unrepentant sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 5). • Offer restoration for repentant parties, acknowledging Christ’s atonement (1 John 1:9). • Treat any contemplated divorce with gravity, knowing God witnesses every vow (Ecclesiastes 5:4-6). Common Objections Answered “God wants me happy.” — He wants holiness, which produces lasting joy (Hebrews 12:11). “Adultery automatically dissolves the marriage.” — Jesus permits but does not command divorce; forgiveness remains an option. “Paul contradicts Jesus.” — 1 Corinthians 7 addresses mixed marriages and abandonment; it complements, not nullifies, Matthew 19:9. Eschatological and Salvific Note Marriage is temporal (Matthew 22:30) but reflects eternal truths. Persisting in adulterous unions without repentance “will not inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10), yet washed, sanctified, and justified believers show that even marital failure is not beyond the reach of Christ’s resurrection power (v. 11). Summary Matthew 19:9 teaches that God’s design is one-flesh permanence. Only sexual immorality gives biblical grounds for divorce; remarriage after an illegitimate divorce constitutes adultery. The passage integrates Genesis covenant theology, Mosaic regulation, prophetic denunciation, apostolic instruction, and consistent manuscript testimony, calling disciples to covenant faithfulness that glorifies God and mirrors the gospel. |
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