You have Heard ... But I say to You ... Divorce
Introduction. Analyzing Jesus’ words concerning murder and adultery, it is clear the audience was not taking what they heard far enough. They had rightly heard the acts of murder and adultery were wrong, but not the emotions and lusts that led to them. Jesus condemned what they had heard because the immoral thoughts, lustful glances, outbursts of anger or the rude and cutting remarks that led to them were not also condemned. The error of divorce was similar, but also different:
While they were hearing that anyone who wanted a divorce needed a certificate (which was true), Jesus pointed out that before a certificate could be sought or granted, the reason must be examined (which they were not doing). While hearing all they needed was a “certificate of divorce,” the truth was there could be no certificate God would accept without sexual immorality.
In this case they went far beyond by adding to what God had revealed. As Jesus pointed out later in His ministry in Mt. 19, there was nothing in the Scripture to justify this teaching. God had made it crystal clear that marriage was a one-flesh relationship (permanent) from the beginning of the creation (Gen. 2). It was never a casual relationship entered lightly or ended by man’s will. God had told Israel He hated divorce, because it possessed both the treachery and violence Jesus condemned above.
Yet Jesus did not forbid divorce. What they were hearing about the certificate of divorce in order to have a divorce was not wrong. The problem with what was said centered on the reasons they were seeking this certificate. Jesus was simply making it clear what God’s expectations were.
Jesus moved the “reason” for divorce back to where it belonged. He focused on the action and cause that led up to the desire for a divorce. He forced His disciples to search their heart carefully and only after drawing the conclusion that it was truly for sexual immorality could they seek that certificate. Jesus revealed there is only one legitimate reason for a “certificate of divorce.” It must be for the cause of his wife’s adultery. A “certificate of divorce” given for any other reason was just a piece of paper written by men which God hated and refused to accept. If another marriage was entered into after such a divorce, it would not be accepted by God. Jesus plainly called it adultery.
Jesus called it adultery because God did not recognize the validity of the ‘certificate.’ God had not separated this man from his wife. Therefore, in God’s sight, they were still joined in marriage. This certificate was meaningless. If that man then sought to join himself to another, God could not join them in marriage. What God had joined together, He would not separate, ‘except for the cause of sexual immorality.’
Jesus’ words are not being heard today, they are ignored and set aside by multitudes. What justifications are given? Is there a textual problem with the Greek? No, both the Textus Receptus (KJV, NKJV) and the Nestle-Aland text (ASV, NASB, ESV, NIV) are identical. When we compare the KJV (1611) and the ASV (1901) with later translations like the NASB (1963), NKJV (1975), NIV (1978), and ESV (2001), there is very little variation except vocabulary. ‘Putting away’ has become ‘divorce.’ ‘Saving for’ has become ‘except for,’ ‘reason’ or ‘ground of’ ‘Fornication’ is now ‘unchastity,’ ‘marital unfaithfulness,’ or ‘sexual immorality.’ Even with all these changes, the basic meaning of the passage has remained the same.
There really is no excuse to set these words aside but rebellion.
A look at each of the Greek words chosen by Jesus to express His thought makes clear that each of these translations is perfectly accurate. Jesus began with a Greek word which generally means “every class” and “every kind,” “in every condition,” or “in every matter.” Then, by using a present active participle for the verb divorce, Jesus took the action of the verb divorce and applied it to the person himself. Just as any person who is running (verb) becomes a runner so here all those “divorcing” their wives are “divorcers,” or “divorcing ones.” Everyone makes himself “a divorcer” when seeking a certificate of divorce.
No matter what other circumstances were involved, only one thing mattered to Jesus. He chose the word “saving for” or “except for” when describing the cause as adultery. Anything “outside and beside” the cause of adultery is a divorce God will NOT honor. It can’t be a divorce because divorce demands a separation and God refuses to separate without sexual immorality. The Greek term translated “fornication, sexual immorality, or marital unchastity” is a general term for all sexual activity outside of a marriage relationship. A husband and wife were created by God to enjoy all sexual activity and it is their exclusive privilege. Any sexual activity outside of that marriage is described by this term.
The word Jesus selected and has been translated “cause” is very unusual. It is the term “logos” which is almost universally translated “word,” and only here is it translated “reason, cause, or ground.” But even if it were translated literally it would still make perfect sense. “But I say unto you, that every one that puts away his wife, saving for the word of fornication, makes her an adulteress.” Hence when someone is asked about the reason for a divorce, they only have one word: “fornication.” If anyone has a different word/cause than sexual immorality, the divorce has not been accepted by God. Without a ‘word,’ ‘cause,’ ‘ground,’ or ‘reason’ of ‘fornication,’ the “divorced” woman becomes an adulteress if she marries another and whoever marries her would also be committing adultery.
How does this “make her” an adulteress? This is the general Greek word for ‘producing,’ ‘creating’ or ‘forming’ something. It can also mean ‘cause,’ ‘bring about’ or ‘bring to pass.’ Thus, the true effect of a certificate of divorce with any other word/cause than sexual immorality is to “create,” “form” or “cause” his wife to become an adulteress. This certificate doesn’t free her to remarry, it sets her up to become an adulteress if she remarries. This husband has forced his wife out the door with his certificate of divorce, and “produced, constructed, formed, and fashioned,” her into an adulteress if she chooses to remarry with it. What kind of love is this? It truly is treachery to do such a thing. Yet not only is the woman who is presented with a certificate of divorce without adultery committing adultery if she remarries, but so also “whosoever shall marry her when she is put away commits adultery.” The one who marries her in such circumstances also becomes an adulterer.
In His final words on this subject, Jesus gave no exception. While He gave an exception to the one who gave the certificate of divorce as the cause of adultery, there is no exception for those who have been given the certificate. Every ‘divorcer’ except those who divorce for adultery, makes their wife an adulteress. But everyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery (no exceptions). Even the women divorced for adultery is therefore still unable to marry. Everyone who marries a divorced woman (regardless of the reason) would be committing adultery.
Conclusion. Although Jesus spoke clearly and forcibly about divorce, it has not been enough to stem the flood of divorce among those who call themselves “His disciples.” Even His final words about the wise foundation of hearing and doing them have been ignored. Yet regardless of how strongly we want to set them aside, the Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul forbids it. “Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife.” (1Cor. 7:10-11). Why did Paul say “yet not I but the Lord?” What did the Lord say to the married? The only thing Jesus said to the married is said here in the sermon on the mount and then repeated later.
When asked “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?” Jesus answered: “I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.” (Mt. 19:3, 9)
The two other passages in the New Testament on this topic even remove the exception clause:
- “Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.”
While they were hearing that anyone who wanted a divorce needed a certificate (which was true), Jesus pointed out that before a certificate could be sought or granted, the reason must be examined (which they were not doing). While hearing all they needed was a “certificate of divorce,” the truth was there could be no certificate God would accept without sexual immorality.
In this case they went far beyond by adding to what God had revealed. As Jesus pointed out later in His ministry in Mt. 19, there was nothing in the Scripture to justify this teaching. God had made it crystal clear that marriage was a one-flesh relationship (permanent) from the beginning of the creation (Gen. 2). It was never a casual relationship entered lightly or ended by man’s will. God had told Israel He hated divorce, because it possessed both the treachery and violence Jesus condemned above.
- “...the Lord has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously; Yet she is your companion And your wife by covenant. 15 But did He not make them one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth. 16 “For the Lord God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one’s garment with violence,” (Mal. 2:14-16)
Yet Jesus did not forbid divorce. What they were hearing about the certificate of divorce in order to have a divorce was not wrong. The problem with what was said centered on the reasons they were seeking this certificate. Jesus was simply making it clear what God’s expectations were.
Jesus moved the “reason” for divorce back to where it belonged. He focused on the action and cause that led up to the desire for a divorce. He forced His disciples to search their heart carefully and only after drawing the conclusion that it was truly for sexual immorality could they seek that certificate. Jesus revealed there is only one legitimate reason for a “certificate of divorce.” It must be for the cause of his wife’s adultery. A “certificate of divorce” given for any other reason was just a piece of paper written by men which God hated and refused to accept. If another marriage was entered into after such a divorce, it would not be accepted by God. Jesus plainly called it adultery.
Jesus called it adultery because God did not recognize the validity of the ‘certificate.’ God had not separated this man from his wife. Therefore, in God’s sight, they were still joined in marriage. This certificate was meaningless. If that man then sought to join himself to another, God could not join them in marriage. What God had joined together, He would not separate, ‘except for the cause of sexual immorality.’
Jesus’ words are not being heard today, they are ignored and set aside by multitudes. What justifications are given? Is there a textual problem with the Greek? No, both the Textus Receptus (KJV, NKJV) and the Nestle-Aland text (ASV, NASB, ESV, NIV) are identical. When we compare the KJV (1611) and the ASV (1901) with later translations like the NASB (1963), NKJV (1975), NIV (1978), and ESV (2001), there is very little variation except vocabulary. ‘Putting away’ has become ‘divorce.’ ‘Saving for’ has become ‘except for,’ ‘reason’ or ‘ground of’ ‘Fornication’ is now ‘unchastity,’ ‘marital unfaithfulness,’ or ‘sexual immorality.’ Even with all these changes, the basic meaning of the passage has remained the same.
There really is no excuse to set these words aside but rebellion.
- KJV whosoever shall put away his wife saving for the cause of fornication causeth her to commit adultery
- ASV every one that putteth away his wife saving for the cause of fornication maketh her an adulteress
- NAS everyone who divorces his wife except for {the} cause of unchastity makes her commit adultery
- NIV anyone who divorces his wife except for marital unfaithfulness causes her to become an adulteress
- NKJ whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery
- ESV everyone who divorces his wife except on the ground of sexual immorality makes her commit adultery
A look at each of the Greek words chosen by Jesus to express His thought makes clear that each of these translations is perfectly accurate. Jesus began with a Greek word which generally means “every class” and “every kind,” “in every condition,” or “in every matter.” Then, by using a present active participle for the verb divorce, Jesus took the action of the verb divorce and applied it to the person himself. Just as any person who is running (verb) becomes a runner so here all those “divorcing” their wives are “divorcers,” or “divorcing ones.” Everyone makes himself “a divorcer” when seeking a certificate of divorce.
No matter what other circumstances were involved, only one thing mattered to Jesus. He chose the word “saving for” or “except for” when describing the cause as adultery. Anything “outside and beside” the cause of adultery is a divorce God will NOT honor. It can’t be a divorce because divorce demands a separation and God refuses to separate without sexual immorality. The Greek term translated “fornication, sexual immorality, or marital unchastity” is a general term for all sexual activity outside of a marriage relationship. A husband and wife were created by God to enjoy all sexual activity and it is their exclusive privilege. Any sexual activity outside of that marriage is described by this term.
The word Jesus selected and has been translated “cause” is very unusual. It is the term “logos” which is almost universally translated “word,” and only here is it translated “reason, cause, or ground.” But even if it were translated literally it would still make perfect sense. “But I say unto you, that every one that puts away his wife, saving for the word of fornication, makes her an adulteress.” Hence when someone is asked about the reason for a divorce, they only have one word: “fornication.” If anyone has a different word/cause than sexual immorality, the divorce has not been accepted by God. Without a ‘word,’ ‘cause,’ ‘ground,’ or ‘reason’ of ‘fornication,’ the “divorced” woman becomes an adulteress if she marries another and whoever marries her would also be committing adultery.
How does this “make her” an adulteress? This is the general Greek word for ‘producing,’ ‘creating’ or ‘forming’ something. It can also mean ‘cause,’ ‘bring about’ or ‘bring to pass.’ Thus, the true effect of a certificate of divorce with any other word/cause than sexual immorality is to “create,” “form” or “cause” his wife to become an adulteress. This certificate doesn’t free her to remarry, it sets her up to become an adulteress if she remarries. This husband has forced his wife out the door with his certificate of divorce, and “produced, constructed, formed, and fashioned,” her into an adulteress if she chooses to remarry with it. What kind of love is this? It truly is treachery to do such a thing. Yet not only is the woman who is presented with a certificate of divorce without adultery committing adultery if she remarries, but so also “whosoever shall marry her when she is put away commits adultery.” The one who marries her in such circumstances also becomes an adulterer.
In His final words on this subject, Jesus gave no exception. While He gave an exception to the one who gave the certificate of divorce as the cause of adultery, there is no exception for those who have been given the certificate. Every ‘divorcer’ except those who divorce for adultery, makes their wife an adulteress. But everyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery (no exceptions). Even the women divorced for adultery is therefore still unable to marry. Everyone who marries a divorced woman (regardless of the reason) would be committing adultery.
Conclusion. Although Jesus spoke clearly and forcibly about divorce, it has not been enough to stem the flood of divorce among those who call themselves “His disciples.” Even His final words about the wise foundation of hearing and doing them have been ignored. Yet regardless of how strongly we want to set them aside, the Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul forbids it. “Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife.” (1Cor. 7:10-11). Why did Paul say “yet not I but the Lord?” What did the Lord say to the married? The only thing Jesus said to the married is said here in the sermon on the mount and then repeated later.
When asked “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?” Jesus answered: “I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.” (Mt. 19:3, 9)
The two other passages in the New Testament on this topic even remove the exception clause:
- In the house His disciples also asked Him again about the same matter. So He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” (Mk. 10:10-12)
- “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery.” (Lk. 16:18)