1 Cor. 6:12-20; 7:1-5, The Question of Remarriage

JESUS CONCLUDED THAT REMARRIAGE WAS ASSUMED AND ADULTEROUS.

Before we consider this statement, we need to see a couple of things.  First, Jesus spoke the words of Mk. 10:11-12 (whoever marries a divorced person commits adultery against them) to the disciples in private and not to the crowd.  The disciples responded, wondering why anyone would get married, given the difficulty of marriage (cf. Mt. 19:9). 

Second, there is a difference between Matthew and Mark.  Matthew says Jesus spoke of the man, who divorces his wife and then marries another, that man has committed adultery.  Mark’s account says Jesus applied this rule to both the husband and wife.  The difference is accounted for by the audience of each writer.  Matthew wrote to the Jewish culture where men had the right of divorce.  Mark wrote to the Roman culture where both men and women could initiate divorce.

As to the above principle, saying that remarriage was “assumed” is evident both in the Deut. 24:1-4 passage as well as Jesus words here.  Both Moses and our Lord speak as if it is expected that, after divorce, there will be remarriage.  Neither said “if” but gave instruction as if it should be expected for divorced people to remarry. 

As we have said, the Law of Moses made plans for remarriage, both for the sake of the wife, the weaker vessel, who needed protection, as well as for the good of society.  Remaining single had its own difficulties, as the Bible indicates.  Jesus said that not everyone had the “gift” of remaining single (Mt. 19:11-12).  Paul said it was better to marry than to burn with lust (1 Cor. 7:1-5). 

If remarriage is a protection against sexual immorality, why does Jesus say that remarriage is always immoral?  The reason is the “one flesh” principle.  To take a second spouse while the first spouse is still living violates God’s law concerning the permanence of marriage (Rom. 7:1-2).  Remember that God, who intended that marriage should be a lifelong relationship, also allowed for divorce because of the hardness of people’s hearts.  That is what sin does.  It brings into our lives what we might call “no-win” situations when it comes to living in righteousness.  This is why Paul’s advice to separated spouses if that they should not remarry if the other spouse is still available for reconciliation (1 Cor. 7:11). 

The conclusion to all this is that while marriage is hard, divorce is even more difficult.  We who are married should seek, by God’s grace, to build up our marriages (Prov. 5:15-20; Eph. 5:22-33).  We should also understand that the sin that hardens our hearts needs to be confessed, acknowledged, and repented of.  As Malachi said, “take heed to your spirit.”  Be kind and tenderhearted with each other, and let not the sun go down upon your wrath (Eph. 4:25-32).