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Introduction:
Like the teachings of Moses on Divorce and Remarriage, the teachings of Jesus have resulted in continual controversy. Is the Bible unintelligible when it comes to the subject of divorce and remarriage? Did God intend for people to have difficulty with this subject, or is it only difficult because of the error that has been taught and because of the influence of those who teach it?
Matt. 19:3-12 - The "exception clause" (except it be for fornication) and Matt. 5:32 can be understood and harmonized with justice and other scriptures by following proper hermeneutics, which demand a study of the context.
This is a two part study. The first is to bring to your rememberance sound hermeneutical principles. The second part of the study will be an exegesis of the entire text (Matt. 19:3-12).
The Importance of Hermeneutics in Studying Divorce and Remarriage
Ten Rules To Observe
There are some simple rules that one must follow in studying any Bible subject. Those who refuse to acknowledge these rules while continuing to teach and practice questionable and potentially harmful doctrines are simply being foolish, thoughtless and imprudent, if not rebellious. Below are some rules that are applicable to the Divorce and Remarriage issue or study:
1. Use common sense in studying the Bible, just as you would in studying any book.
It is not using common sense to assert that a person who has no marriage, having been legally divorced by their spouse, is still "bound" or "married" to the spouse who divorced him/her. It is also nonsensical to say that the "unmarried" refers to those who have never been married. Such is evidently an assertion to avoid obeying the following: (1Co 7:8,9) "I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn."
2. Consider who is being addressed and all surrounding circumstances, such as the intentions of the queriest and the dispensation or law in effect at the time.
The Pharisees were attempting to entrap Jesus by tempting Him to takes sides and to contradict Moses' Law regarding divorce (Deut. 24:1-4). Jesus lived under the Law of Moses and was obligated to respect and follow that Law. Obviously the Jews would have charged Jesus with sin had He contradicted Moses' teachings. It is interesting to note that the enemies of Jesus did not make such a charge, but that so-called "friends" are now saying He did contradict Moses.
3. Do not interpret one statement in a manner that contradicts another statement in the Bible.
We sometimes have difficulty because of our own preconceived notions or seeing things the way "tradition" sees it or the way influential preachers have taught it.
Jesus' statement found in Matt. 19:9, is interpreted to mean that a divorced person cannot marry another, but must remain celibate. This idea contradicts the O.T. teaching that "it is not good that man should be alone" (Gen. 2:18) and N.T. teachings that a spouse is needed to avoid fornication. "Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband" (1Cor7:2).
Jesus' statement in Matt. 19:10 is interpreted to mean that celibacy is required for those who are willing to obey what he just taught. Yet that interpretation contradicts other inspired teachings that clearly indicate that forced celibacy ("forbidding to marry") is a doctrine of the devil (1Tim4:1-3).
4. A correct understanding takes into account the context of the statement and all of the related material in the rest of the Bible.
5. "Obscure passages may be understood in light of other passages on the same subject that are clear in their meaning.
It is improper to draw your conclusion based solely on the obscure passage and then twist all the other passages on the same subject to harmonize with the preconceived conclusion.
6. A correct understanding is what it says, not what someone else says it says.
Dictionaries, lexicons and commentaries were written by men who are known to have been influenced by tradition and to be in error in some of their conclusions. The Bible is its own best commentary.
7. A correct and authoritative understanding will provide sufficient evidence to be clearly understood by the honest person.
8. When there are two differing interpretations of passages, they cannot both be correct. One or the other is wrong and both may be wrong. An incorrect understanding will have always violated the rules.
Those who seek the truth on Divorce and Remarriage must not overlook the number of rules one must violate to accept and practice the traditional position of breaking up legal marriages and requiring celibacy.
9. A correct understanding of the passage will violate no logical hermeneutical rules and will be in harmony with all truth.
The correct understanding of a passage may contradict tradition, but it should not be our intention to harmonize a passage with tradition but to learn what the writer intended.
10. Have a love for truth and a determination to find it regardless of how others feel about it or what they have threatened to do to you or your reputation.
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