For a number of reasons, questions about marriage are among the most interesting and important to human beings. And, among the most important of those questions is this: who can marry without committing sin in so doing? The Bible answer is plain. The Bible makes clear that, ideally speaking, God intends that marriage is to be a lifetime contract (Romans 7:1-4). Jesus gave one exception. He sets out one ground upon which one may put away his companion and marry another: that of marital unfaithfulness (fornication, Matthew 19:9). God joins together two people in marriage only when both parties to that marriage are eligible (according to Bible standards of eligibility) to be married. Even if a person is eligible to be married, if he/she marries someone who is not eligible, then he/she commits adultery. With the above introductory matters in mind, may each reader prayerfully consider those who, according the Bible, are eligible to be married (and who, therefore, can marry without committing sin in so doing).
1. Those who have never been married previously may, without sin, marry – so long as they themselves marry an eligible (in the sight of God) partner. “But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned” (1 Corinthians 7:28; cf. 1 Corinthians 7:9).
2. Those who have been previously married but whose former companion is dead. Paul stated the matter in this fashion: “For the woman which hath a husband is bound by law to the husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of the husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if the husband be dead, she is free from the law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man” (Romans 7:2, 3).
3. Those who have been previously married but whose former companion was guilty of fornication (unfaithfulness to the marriage vow). Here, our text (Matthew 19:9), shows plainly that Jesus gave to the innocent party the right to seek another marriage partner. If Jesus had given no exception, his language would have taught that every person who puts away his companion and marries another is guilty of adultery. But Jesus did not do that – he did give an exception, making it clear that those whose companions have been guilty of sexual unfaithfulness may put them away and marry another, not being guilty of adultery in so doing. This means physical unfaithfulness – the actual act of sexual intercourse – not merely lusting in one’s heart (Matthew 5:28).
The negation, put in simple terms, is a setting forth of those who cannot marry without sinning in so doing. Or, it might be stated as follows: those who do sin when they marry. Just who are these? 1. Those who have a living former companion who was not put away because of fornication. According to Matthew 19:9, Jesus forbade divorce and remarriage except on the ground of marital unfaithfulness (fornication). 2. Those who marry anyone who has a former companion (still living) who was not put away because of fornication. In Matthew 19:9, Jesus said, “Whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away committeth adultery” (compare Matthew 5:32). 3. Those who were put away because of their marital unfaithfulness (fornication) (Matt. 5:32; cf.19:9). The guilty party (that is, one who has been put away because of fornication) is not free to marry. The teaching of Jesus on this matter is too plain for denial. It was with infinite wisdom that God has set forth the privileges and the bounds of marriage, divorce and remarriage. It is by God’s wisdom that fornication has been designated the one and only ground for divorce and remarriage. It was God who instituted marriage. It was God who has protected it by setting the limitations.
While our hearts ache for those who are involved in marriages which the Bible makes clear are not pleasing to God, it would not be the loving thing to counsel those so involved to stay in sinful relationships. The wise and loving counsel is always, “Obey the Lord. If you do, He will never leave you or forsake you.” Let each of us remember: “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
– Thomas B. Warren, The Spiritual Sword, April, 1984 (adapted)
—submitted by Jerry D. Sturgill
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