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About Joe Norman
Expertise
I can answer questions regarding acceptable worship, organization of the church, or any apsect of the Christian life. I am the son of a preacher and have studied the Bible from cover to cover since I was 12 years old. I am strong in my research skills and do not follow teachings of men. Many will label me as conservative and some might label me as liberal, but I just seek to be biblical. I understand proper exegesis and hermeneutics and apply them. My desire is to share my knowledge of God's Word with others. Please always keep in mind that none of us who are listed as experts here are divinely inspired and therefore it is possible to get incorrect answers from any one of us. Study the Scriptures and decide for yourself if what is taught is true.

Experience
I am the 4th generation in my family to be a faithful member of the church of Christ. I was raised by a preacher and have studied the Bible everyday since I was twelve. I am 44 yrs old now. I am not a "scholar", but I am very familiar with the scriptures.

Organizations
member of the church of Christ, served as a Deacon for a few years at LakeShore church of Christ in Waco, Tx. I currently live in the North Dallas area and worship with the Lewisville church of Christ.

Education/Credentials
School of hard knocks

You are here: Experts > Religion/Spirituality > Christianity - Restorationism > Churches Of Christ > Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage

Churches Of Christ - Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage

Expert: Joe Norman - 11/9/2009

Question
Is it lawful by Gods law for a Man or Woman who divorces their spouse due to adultry to remarry again?

Answer
Hi Patricia,

I have answered this question many times. Yet, I will answer it again for you. The short answer is there is nothing that forbids anyone to re-marry so long as it is not homosexual, incestuous, or immoral in any other way.

We know from the book of Genesis that it is not good for man to be alone (Gen.2:18). But we also read the following from Paul:

1 Cor.7:1-5
1 Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. 3 Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

Paul says it is good for a man not to touch a woman. But his reason for this statement is only because it helps man to focus more on service to God. He clarifies that because of sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. He also makes sure to point out that in a marriage each belongs to the other and they must not deprive each other of sexual affection because lack of self-control will make them more susceptible to temptations from Satan.

In verses 8 and 9 of this same chapter of I Corinthians, Paul again states how he wished more men were like him (unmarried). But again states that if a person lacks self-control, they should marry because it is better to marry than to burn with passion. This does not have anything in it to limit his statements to those who have either never been married or only if they were innocent of adultery and divorced a spouse guilty of adultery.

As we continue to read from this same chapter, we see the following.

1 Cor.7:26-28
26 I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress it is good for a man to remain as he is: 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you.

Anyone who is "loosed" from a wife is either never married, widowed, or divorced. Paul only encourages celibacy due to this time of present distress the church was under at that time. He states clearly that if one who is "loosed" does marry, they have not sinned. Again, if what has been traditionally taught about divorce and remarriage in the churches of Christ were true, Paul would have made some qualifiers here.

Finally, we see that forbidding to marry is one of the "doctrines of demons" as well.

1 Tim.4:1-3
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

So it is lawful by God's law for anyone to remarry; but this does not mean they should constantly marry and divorce for any and all reasons. It is a sin to break covenants. To constantly marry and divorce shows a lack of understanding in what God wants for man. He originally intended one man and one woman to join and become one flesh for life. If it is impossible to keep the first marriage alive, a true Christian will try to make the second one to be for life and remain faithful to the second wife.

I encourage you to read my other answers on divorce and remarriage to help you more. But if you have further questions, I am most happy to answer them. Thanks so much for choosing me and to God be the glory.

In Christ, Joe Norman

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