Expert: Phillip Senn - 4/18/2007

Question
What is your understanding of Matt 19:9?  Is the adultery
something connected with the process of divorce/remarrying or is it something happening in the new marriage?

sincerely,
Perry Pierce

Answer
Perry,

Thank you for your important question. I hope I can do justice to the Scriptures in my response.

There are two descriptions given by the Lord concerning the adultery. One would involve putting away the wife, apart from fornication. He was not inferring that fornication was a legitimate reason to get a divorce, as He had already answered the question concerning if it was okay to get a divorce under any circumstance, to which He responded, "What God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." He was referring as to whether remarriage would be adultery. If the divorce, which is not endorsed by God, takes place because of fornication (sexual perverseness), then it would not be adultery to remarry.

But according to our Lord, marrying one that was put away would be adultery. I am assuming, without a Scriptural backing, that He was speaking in the same context of those that are put away for the cause of fornication. In other words, if the divorce was legitimized in man's eyes by the act of fornication, then for one to marry her that had committed such an act would be committing adultery.

Whatever the reasoning, when we read all of this in context, we find that the Lord was answering those that were attempting to trap Him with His own words.

Then we find Him responding to His disciples about their statement, "If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry." He then described those that choose to be eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of God. His description leads me to think that whenever we marry, or choose not to marry, our main concern should be whether it will benefit the kingdom of God.

If we marry someone that has a history of fornication, are we seeking the glory of God, or our self gratification? Nevertheless, Paul wrote, "It is better to marry than to burn" (referring to man's lustful desires).

Then again, Paul wrote, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him."

I hope this has helped to answer your question.

With Love In Christ,
Phillip Senn