(Matthew 19:3-9;1 Corinthians 7:12-16)
The divorce rate in Singapore doubled over a ten-year-period, from 3.8 per 1,000 in 1980 to 7.6 in 2008. Singapore is now ranked 16 in the world in divorce rates, and the country with the highest divorce rates in Asia.
New testament on divorce (matt. 19:3-9; Deut. 24:1-4)
In response to the question posed by the Pharisees, our Lord Jesus quoted from Genesis 1:27 and 2:24. God’s creative design began with one man and one woman in a life-long union.
Our Lord Jesus following the Law, also allowed for divorce on the ground of adultery (Matthew 19:9), but He also gave this warning – divorce with an improper motive opens the door to the greater sin of adultery.
The reason that a man is prohibited from remarrying his first wife after they have divorced and after she has remarried is that the two persons in a marital union are therefore encouraged to exercise forgiveness and take back an unfaithful spouse. There is mercy at the cross, and there must be mercy by those who have obtained that mercy. Marriage was meant to be a life-long commitment. “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” (Matt. 19:6)
. Divorce was not mandatory, and divorce proceedings were meant to be cumbersome as a deterrent against hasty divorces (Deut. 24:1-4).
. Divorce was allowed in cases of adultery (Matt. 19:9).
. God allows divorce by setting and regulating the parameters under which divorce can take place, but God’s desire is to keep the marriage intact.
Christian marriage (1 corinthians 7:10-11)
In the Corinthian church, there were Jewish and Gentile converts who had very liberal views on marriage and divorce. There were also Gentile converts who thought that to be celibate (even in marriage) is to be spiritual. These views led them to ask Paul, “Can Christians divorce?” Paul rejects these reasons and reaffirms the Word of God – Marriage is for life. Christians cannot divorce.
. Christians cannot divorce because it is God’s command. “Let not the wife depart from her husband…Let not the husband put away his wife.”
. God’s command applies to the husband and wife equally.
. God’s prohibition against divorce also includes separation.
. Christian ought not to be cause for divorce.
. When a Christian disobeys God’s command and divorces his wife or her husband, Paul gives two options: remain unmarried or be reconciled (7:11).
Mixed marriage (1 corinthians 7:12-16)
A mixed marriage is one in which a partner in a marriage is a believer as a result of conversion. Can a Christian in a mixed marriage divorce the unbelieving spouse?
. The Christian is not to put away his/her unbelieving spouse if he is willing to continue with the marriage.
. If the unbelieving spouse does not want to continue in the marriage and leaves, divorce is allowed.
In the case of adultery after marriage, it is lawful for the innocent party to sue out a divorce. Although the corruption of man be such as is apt to study arguments, unduly to put asunder those whom God has joined together in marriage; yet nothing but adultery, or such willful desertion as can no way be remedied by the Church or civil magistrate, is cause sufficient of dissolving the bond of marriage. (WCF, Chapter 24.5b-6)
Application & Conclusion
Marriage at the human level is a picture of the covenant relationship between God and man. In that covenant relationship, we are not always faithful, but God is (Hos. 2:5, 19-23). God’s love for us
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