Neal Pollard
What is perhaps the most difficult statement in the Bible is not grammatically complex or difficult to comprehend from an intellectual standpoint. But what elder, preacher, or other member has not agonized over it many times. Asked point blank for His teaching on the subject of marriage, divorce, and remarriage, Jesus says, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way. And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery” (Mat. 19:8-9). There are quite a few observations that can be made from this reading.
- Jesus makes a timeless statement (“from the beginning”).
- Jesus makes a universal statement (This applies to “whoever”).
- Jesus makes an authoritative statement (“I say to you”)–Matthew often reveals Jesus’ contrasting His teaching with the inferior Law of Moses.
- Jesus does not mandate (necessitate) that divorce occur in the case of fornication.
- Jesus identifies the exception to the rule (“whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery”)–It is fornication (BDAG–“Unlawful sexual intercourse”).
- Jesus’ teaching here cannot be negated by other Scripture (cf. 1 Cor. 7; 2 Cor. 5:17).
- Jesus teaches that another marriage (excepting for one’s spouse’s fornication) is adulterous.
- Jesus does not free the guilty to remarry.
- The duration of adultery in the second marriage considered by Jesus persists as long as that subsequent marriage persists.
- The teaching has been difficult from this inception (see Mat. 19:10-12).
This passage must be taught patiently, lovingly, wisely, compassionately, and prayerfully! Yet, on what grounds can we decide not to teach it? Treating it with the reverence it deserves, why would we seek to dismantle or discredit it? Of course, we would not. By teaching it, we risk losing good will and favor with many but by teaching it as Jesus taught it we show respect and fidelity to His supreme authority. May God grant us “a spirit…of power and love and discipline” (2 Tim. 1:7) on this eternally important passage.
The Preacher Pollard Blog 
It is difficult for those who don’t truly love the Lord and seek Him first. But for those who do, His commandments are not grievous
Good observation, Tony.
Thanks Neal for this post. I believe this passage is “hard” not to understand and some of the modern translations have softened the wording from the original text that “seems” to allow remarriage.
Thank you for a wonderful post. It teaches the truth clearly.
You might comment further on the underlying Greek that would speak to your point: “The duration of adultery in the second marriage considered by Jesus persist as long as that subsequent marriage persists.” The English text says “commits adultery” and the Greek word for “commits” is moichaō. In my years of reading about this the Greek scholars are divided on whether or not the “act of marrying” another woman, without being able to invoke the exception, is a one-time act or is the entering into a second marriage, without the privilege of the exception”, a continuing act of adultery against the first union, notwithstanding that union has been ended by divorce. In other words, is the sin the hostile act of entering into a second marriage without the exception or is the sin the repeated sexual activity of those in the second marriage even though there is no longer a first marriage?
All I seek is to know which way God is saying it as I do not have the issue in my life to cause me bias, but I just want to “handle accurately” the Word of Truth.
Yes Neil hello thanks once again for your post on marriage and divorce there are some brothers in the Church of Christ who are teaching that God Mercy covers the innocent other guilty party if they divorce they can remarry no matter how many times because God Mercy covers them I sent you a video to listen to please listen and respond because this is being taught in the Church of Christ throughout some of our brothers in Houston Texas and it might come to you one day someone might have a question on this issue and I just want you guys to be aware of it thank you once again and God bless you
Excellent. I appreciate the well-written, succinct bullet points, backed up with scripture. It makes it all so crystal clear. Thank you for proclaiming the truth in love.