Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 1/26/2012

Question
If a man marries a divorced woman who's wife is she biblically?

Answer
Hi Keith,

There are many differing views on divorce and remarriage.  I believe that there are only two conditions in which GOd allows divorce and remarriage.  Any other case disqualifies the pastor or deacon.  I do believe that God wants you to honor the marriage you are in no matter how it came to be...

The first exception is if the spouse cheats... then the victim is free to divorce and remarry.


Matthew 19:3–9 (AV)
3 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? 4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 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? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? 8 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. 9 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.


The second is if an unbeliever leaves a believer because of his or her belief.

1 Corinthians 7:13–16 (AV)
13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. 15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. 16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?


If the man married a woman who was divorced because her first husband cheated on her, then there is no harm nor foul.

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don