"But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.”
Many call this the exception clause when it comes to divorce. There is a much debate among scholars about the implications. The Greek word pornea has two definitions. It means fornication. Literally, that means sexual relationship between unmarried people. Some think this would apply also to those engaged. Mary and Joseph were betrothed; it was a legal agreement for marriage. Once the dowry was paid it can only be broken by death or divorce. If one found that their intended spouse has been unfaithful sexually - they can break off the engagement.
Yet the discussion here is definitely on marriage. The quote of the Old Testament in Matthew 19 says that “the man shall leave father and mother and cleave to his wife and the two become one flesh” is not included in engagement or betrothal but marriage.
Secondly, the definition of pornea is sexual acts can include adultery, homosexuality bestiality, and sexual perversions as well as just adultery. This is the most popular accepted interpretation. The question raised is why doesn't Jesus use the Greek word for adultery, since He used it two other times in the same verse?
Why do the disciples get so shocked when they respond to Jesus’ teaching in Matt. 19 "who then can get married, we might as well forget it?" Both conservative and liberal rabbis allowed adultery to be the cause for divorce. The Old Testament allowed adultery as the only reason for divorce. Several verses support that.
Some think it is speaking of a marriage to unbelievers. When Nehemiah and Ezra were working on rebuilding Jerusalem after the return from Babylon, God commanded divorce of Jewish men from Gentile idol worshipping women. So, you see divorce even though it was hated, was also allowed and even commanded under this unique situation of disobedience in the Old Testament.
The problem is I Corinthians 7 teaches just the opposite as a principle; believers should not leave unbelievers. They should not have married in the first place, but if one spouse is converted, they are to remain with the unconverted mate. Divorce is only accepted if the unbelieving mate wishes to leave.
Yet another interpretation of the fornication is related to the example forbidden by the Jerusalem counsel. Pornea was used to restrict the converted Gentiles from immoral practices. (Leviticus 17,18). This view says that fornication also included marriage of incest, brother marrying sister, and wives of brothers, etc, Incest was terrible in God's eyes.
All the interpretations leave some questions. My conclusion? I think it refers to any sexual activity outside of the bonds of marriage. Let’s not get so caught up thinking how to get out of a marriage, but how to bring reconciliation, love, forgiveness and power of the Spirit into the marriage.
I believe the disciples showed surprise in the way we would show surprise to the other teachings we've talked about with anger and lust. Jesus is saying, "You think it is wrong to murder? Friends, in God's eyes it is wrong to be angry. You think it is wrong to commit adultery? Friend, in God's eyes it is wrong to think about it in your minds. You think it's OK to divorce? In God’s eyes your marriage is as long as your live.”
God desires marriages to reflect the love commitment of Jesus and the church. This is to be holy and pure and devoted to Him.
Prayer: Lord God, Almighty forgive us for how we have disrespected the sanctity of marriage on many fronts and lead us in the way we are to model Christ and the church.
