Synopsis "Divorce: In the Bible (in English)"
Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said to those of old..." However, says, "But I say to you..." Jesus goes down a list of overt sins the religious leaders (Scribes and Pharisees) were justifying. One of those sins was adultery (Seventh Commandment). Jesus said, if you look at a woman in lust you commit adultery in your heart. Jesus was not talking about those who were unmarried or widows. He was addressing those who would violate the marriage covenant with their eyes and hands. Likewise, Jesus addresses those who would violate their marriage covenant in remarriage. Greco-Roman law allowed divorce by separation, as well as other simple solutions (civil divorce). The Jewish community, however, did not allow women to remarry without a writ of divorce. (Today, without a Jewish "Get" of divorce women cannot remarry in the Synagogue). Only men were allowed to initiate a divorce and they could divorce for any reason (Matthew 19:3). Greco-Roman law allowed woman-initiated divorces. This created a problem in the Jewish community (Mark 10:10-12). Paul repeats these commands (1 Corinthians 7:10). Women were not to be separated from a husband. He indicated a separated woman was to remain unmarried or reconcile. The Mosaic Law did not allow woman-initiated divorces. Paul ends this statement by commanding men not to leave their wives (1 Corinthians 7:11). Gentile women did not like submitting to men (1 Corinthians 14:34) and believed in equality regarding divorce and remarriage. Following this command, Paul answered a question about divorcing unbelieving spouses. Some of the men and woman thought they were commanded to put away their unclean (unequally yoked) spouse. For the Ezra commanded men to put away pagan wives and children that were born to them (Ezra 10:3) and Isaiah commended men to separate and not touch what is unclean (Isaiah 52:11; 2 Corinthians 6:17). Paul uses a logical defense by stating the children would be unclean if not for the sanctification of the unbeliever (1 Corinthians 7:14). Since the unbeliever is sanctified, they ought to stay married if their unbelieving spouse is willing to remain married. However, there were those in the church who thought that it was unlawful to divorce your unbelieving spouse for any reason unless they committed adultery (Deuteronomy 24:1). Paul explains as Christians they are not under the bondage of the law in these cases and should separate if the unbeliever is unwilling to remain in the marriage (1 Corinthians 7:15). Indicating divorce is permissible at times because of God's greater command of peace and uncertainties of the future in regards to their unbelieving spouse. Paul encourages believers to remain in their current state of marriage or singleness (1 Corinthians 7:17-25). If you are married, don't seek a divorce. And if you are not married, don't seek to find a spouse (unless you are past the flower of your youth and desire to marry thinking you are behaving improperly towards your own virginity). Paul said, it is not sin for a loosed man, virgin woman, or widow to marry (1 Corinthians 7:27-28). The widow is loosed from the law of her husband and free to marry in the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:39-40). Paul did not permit women to initiate a divorce or for divorced women to remarry. Permission of remarriage is only implied in scripture for divorced woman (Deuteronomy 24:1-4). I wish to address this controversy by comparing biblical covenant to contract law and seeing if we can get a better understand some of the nuances of marriage, divorce, and remarriage.
