Now, finally, let's look at the third and most
challenging scripture:
And there came to Him Pharisees, putting Him to the test and saying, Is it lawful for one to dismiss his wife for every cause? And answering, he said, Have you not read, The Creator from the beginning, a male and a female He made them, and said, On this account a man shall forsake his father and his mother and shall be joined to his wife, and they shall be, the two, one flesh, insomuch that no longer are they two, but one flesh? Therefore, that which God once and for all yoked together, let man not be separating. They say to Him, Why then did Moses command [Ancient Greek: entellomai: command, enjoin] to give her a bill of divorce and dismiss her? He says to them, Moses, on account of the hardness of your heart permitted [Greek: epitrepo: allow, enable, let, permit] you to dismiss your wives. But from the beginning it (namely the right of divorce) has not been thus, right down to the present moment, and as a result it continues to be at variance with the original enactment. Moreover, I am saying to you, Whoever dismisses his wife [Greek: "gune": a woman, a wife] FOR ANY OTHER CAUSE THAN FORNICATION [Ancient Greek: porneia: prostitution idolatry], and marries another, is committing adultery [Greek: moichao: to commit adultery]. His disciples say to Him, Since the matter is thus with reference to the man's aforementioned reason in the case of his wife, it is not expedient to marry. And He said to them, Not all receive with the understanding this word, but those to whom it has been given to receive it ... (Matthew 19:3-11 ETGNT).
"Moreover, it was said, Whoever dismisses his wife [Greek: "gune": a woman, a wife], let him give her a bill of divorce. But, as for myself, I am saying to you, Everyone who dismisses his wife except in a case of unchastity [Ancient Greek: porneia: prostitution idolatry], causes her to committ adultery, and whoever marries her who has been dismissed, commits adultery [Greek: moichao: to commit adultery]." (Matthew 5:31-32).
"Moreover, I am saying to you, Whoever dismisses his wife [Greek: "gune": a woman, a wife] for any other cause than FORNICATION [Ancient Greek: "porneia": prostitution idolatry] and marries another, is committing adultery [Greek: moichao: to commit adultery]. (Matthew 19:9 ETGNT).
One reason this passage presents the greatest challenge is the wide variety of English translations for the Greek word "porneia".
In Ancient Koine Greek, "porneia" meant "prostitution idolatry", referring to a widespread practice in Gentile pagan temples where both male and female priests were worshipped as gods and sexual intercourse was part of the "religious" experience.
Another reason this passage presents the greatest challenge is our inclination to think about the "exception clause" out of context. Read and understand these four important confirmations and teachings of Jesus and one important clarification by the Apostle Paul, then read the "exception clause":
1- In the "exception clause passage", Jesus confirmed the permanent, once and for all "one-flesh union".
The Pharisee's asked Jesus, "Is it lawful for one to dismiss his wife for every cause?"
Jesus answered: "Have you not read ... a man shall forsake his father and his mother and shall be joined to his wife, and they shall be, the two, one flesh, insomuch that no longer are they two, but one flesh? Therefore, that which God once and for all yoked together, let man not be separating" (Matt. 19:5-6 ETGNT).
""Have you not read" undoubtedly refers to this Old Scripture passage: "The Man said, 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called woman for she was taken out of man". For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." (Gen. 2:23-24 NIV)
It was common practice in those days for husbands to divorce their wives "for every cause" (i.e. if she no longer pleased him for any reason whatsoever). The answer Jesus gave simply focused on the "one-flesh union".
Take a close look at the “one-flesh union” that the LORD God creates and you find that man has no power to separate what God has joined or, as the Greek puts it, glued or adhered together. An advocate of remarriage after divorce or marriage to a divorced person can only add or condone counterfeit unions to the one genuine union God created, thus creating a condition called “adultery”. Even a divorce decree issued by a court of law cannot break the one-flesh union although it can legally and physically separate the couple and provide support for the spouse and children. The "one-flesh union" that God creates remains intact until the death of one of the partners:
"A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord." 1 Corinthians 7:39 NIV).
2- In the "exception clause passage", Jesus confirmed the dissolubility of marriage.
Then they asked him, "Why then did Moses command to give her a bill of divorce and dismiss her?"
JESUS ANSWERED: Moses, on account of the hardness of your heart [Greek: sklerokardia - destitution of perception] permitted you to dismiss your wives. But from the beginning it (namely the right of divorce) has never been thus, right down to the present moment, and as a result it continues to be at variance with the original enactment (Matt. 19:8 ETGNT).
Notice how Jesus corrects the Pharisee's use of the word COMMAND and changes it to PERMIT, reminding them it was because of the HARDNESS OF THEIR HEART that Moses did that. Faced with their stubborn, stiff necked rebellion, what else was Moses to do? But now, Jesus is faced with the Pharisee's hardness of heart but he just tells it like it is and holds the standard high. It's no wonder the religious people of his day wanted to silence him!
3- In the "exception clause passage", Jesus taught that Divorce + Marriage or Remarriage = Adultery.
JESUS CONTINUED: Moreover, I am saying to you, Whoever dismisses his wife [Greek: "gune": a woman, a wife] for any other cause than fornication [Ancient Greek: "porneia": prostitution idolatry] and marries another, is committing adultery [Greek: moichao: to commit adultery]. (Matthew 19:9 ETGNT. See also Matthew 5:31-32).
Another reason this passage presents the greatest challenge is the translation of the word "gune" as wife, thus making it appear at variance with what Jesus had just confirmed about the "one-flesh union" and the dissolubility of marriage ... but only if you assume he's talking about MARRIED PEOPLE.
Let's take a look at the Jewish betrothal customs. They were far different from today's engagement customs. In the Jewish culture, the mutual promise to marry (betrothal) was as binding as marriage. Moreover, the ONLY REASON a man could break his promise to marry was if he found his fiance HAD BEEN UNFAITHFUL to him (i.e. by committing "prostitution idolatry" or "fornication") during the separation time when he was away preparing a home for her.
"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily ... Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS." (Matthew 1:18-24 KJV).
"This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly ... When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus." (Matthew 1:18-24 NLT).
Now read the exception clause again!
"Moreover, I am saying to you, Whoever dismisses his wife [Greek: "gune": a woman, a wife] for any other cause than fornication [Ancient Greek: "porneia": prostitution idolatry] and marries another, is committing adultery."
Who does the "exception clause" refer to?
If Jesus was talking about betrothed or engaged people, then the "exception clause" is consistent with the Jewish betrothal and wedding customs and is not in conflict with his stand on the "one-flesh union" and the "dissolubility of marriage".
If Jesus was talking about married people, then the"exception clause" presents a challenge because it conflicts with his clear stand on the "one-flesh union" and the "dissolubility of marriage".
Conclusion: we must keep the "exception clause" in context and consistent with the confirmation of Jesus on the "one-flesh union" and the "dissolubility of marriage". Therefore, the "exception clause" must refer to betrothed or engaged persons who are still unmarried. The question is one of faithfulness during the separation period.
4- In the "exception clause passage", Jesus confirmed not all can accept these teachings without God's grace.
JESUS CONTINUED: Not all receive with the understanding this word, but to those to whom it has been given to receive it (Matt 19:11 ETGNT).
Now consider the disciples reaction!
Then it's better not to marry! (Matt 19.10 NLT) or Since the matter is thus with reference to the man's aforementioned reason in the case of his wife, it is not expedient to marry (Matt 19.10 ETGNT).
The disciples clearly understood!
If there's no way you can break the "one-flesh union" or dissolve marriage by "divorce", then it's better not to marry in the first place!
Jesus didn't correct them but only stated:
"Not all receive with the understanding this word, but to those to whom it has been given to receive it, for there are those of such a nature as to be eunuchs who were born thus from the mother's womb. And there are those of such a nature as to have been made eunuchs by men. And there are those of such a nature as to have constituted themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom. He who is able to receive with understanding, let him be receiving it."
(See Luke 18:28-30 ETGNT: Then Peter said, Look, As for us, having abandoned all our own private possessions, we became your followers, traveling the same road with you that you are taking. And He said to them, Assuredly, I am saying to you, There is no one who has abandoned house or wife or brethern or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive much more at this time, and, in the age to come life eternal. )
5- The Apostle Paul, under inspiration of God's Holy Spirit, wrote that if separated or divorced, you have only TWO OPTIONS: remain single or reconcile.
Now, for those who are married I have a direct command from the Lord. A wife must not leave her husband. But if she does leave him, let her remain single or else go back to him. And the husband must not leave his wife. Paul apparently didn't think it necessary to repeat himself but if he had, he undoubtedly would have written, But if he does leave her, let him remain single or else go back to her. (1 Corinthians 7:10-11 NLT)
Regretfully, many believers today (both saints and preachers alike) are just like the self-righteous Pharisees ... despite the Bible's clear teaching on the "one-flesh union", the dissolubility of marriage and the need to remain single or else reconcile if separated or divorced, they still divorce and remarry, not willing to receive and accept the Truth. Some have even suggested that Jesus permitted divorce and remarriage for the "innocent party" while the "guilty party" was sentenced to remaining single else committing adultery if they remarried.
First, this interpretation conflicts with the "one-flesh union" and "dissolubility of marriage" that Jesus so plainly confirmed and his disciples understood and accepted.
Second, it assumes the existence of an "innocent party". I have yet to meet an "innocent party"! After all, "It takes two to tango ... and two to tangle".
Next:
Ch. 7: What About the Mosiac Law?
Next: Ch. 8: Steps to Reconciliation
Key to translations used in this article: NLT New Living Translation; KJV King James Version; NIV New International Version; NAS New American Standard; ETGNT Wuest's Expanded Translation Greek New Testament