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A basic right that God has given man is marriage that he might enjoy a spouse of the opposite sex for a helpmeet, for procreation and to "avoid fornication." He says, "it is not good that man should be alone" (Gen. 2:18). Unfortunately, many preachers have not properly studied this issue and are consequently teaching error. They are guilty of following human tradition that says certain people must live alone and if they have a marriage (even if it is legal) they must divorce and can never engage in sex again. This teaching is based on what they think Jesus taught when He sought to correct the Jewish men who were failing to follow the teachings of Moses, including God's ideal "from the beginning" (Matt. 19:8), regarding the treatment of women.
Often it is said by traditional teachers that Matthew 19:9 is so clear it cannot be misunderstood. Yet the word they say means divorce (apoluo) is not even the word for divorce and cannot possibly mean divorce (which ends a marriage) as defined by Moses (Deut. 24:1-2). Their teachings are based on an assumption that has serious hermeneutical problems that must not be ignored. Thus, to assert that Jesus was talking about divorce when he said a woman that is "sent away, put away, repudiated" (definition of apoluo) and marries another commits adultery, actually has him teaching error—contradicting Moses, which is what the Jews sought to catch him doing so they would have reason to kill him. The result of traditional teaching on this matter is that, contrary to God's will, many are "forbidding to marry," which Paul put into the category of "doctrines of devils" (1 Tim. 4:1-3). It is understood to be a punishment, but none can explain how punishing the woman that is "Put Away But Not Divorced" (, or in our time actually divorced when no wrong was done, is consistent with God's will. We read that, "It isn't fair to punish the innocent and those who do right." (Prov. 17:26 CEV). Nevertheless, and it is unfortunate, it is a common practice in many churches today.
Are you aware that when Jesus first talked about the issue of men putting away their wives that he said something that should leave no doubt that he was not changing the Law that allowed divorced women to "go be another man's wife" (Deut. 24:2), as some contend he did? He said, "Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:17-19).
Someone might say all had been fulfilled at this time, but after his death he said this to his disciples: "These are my words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me" (Luke 24:44). Clearly, when he was with them, before the cross, all HAD NOT been fulfilled. Thus, either he was not speaking of divorce in using the word "apoluo" or he did not keep his promise and actually contradicted the Law. Which do you find to be more believable?
Feel free to challenge me on this position, or ask your preacher to join in a discussion with me on a Facebook group. The apostle Paul dealt with it extensively in 2 Corinthians 7, where he makes several statements that confirm that the divorced may marry and he condemns those who teach otherwise.
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