Divorce: Moses, Jesus, and Paul . . .

Question: Dear Dr. Roane, I'm confused. Did Christ ever condone divorce? If not, why then do we see all the divorce in our churches today? I am not talking about the world, I mean the churches.

Answer: Dear friend, wow ... you have packed about 15 questions into this one. But to answer your question: Yes, Jesus did reluctantly (I suppose you can say) condone divorce on the condition that one of the married partners is promiscuous—to use an old fashioned word, a fornicator (Matthew 5:32; see also Matthew 19:9). 

Paul, in some cases, does discourage remarriage for the sake of ministering to the Lord. “Are you married? Do not seek a divorce. Are you unmarried? Do not look for a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned” (1 Corinthians 7:27,28). All divorced persons considering remarriage should remember Paul’s instructions to the Christians at Corinth, “but he [in this case, the new spouse] must belong to the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:39).

This is a quick answer. However, let me say this: if you are being severely abused verbally, or abused physically beyond all means find a safe place and beyond all means get a least a Stalking Protection Order (SPO) which in most cases will give you time to mitigate the situation until you can reach a final settlement. Also, according to Assemblies of God denominational policy, it is stated that, 

"Jesus clearly assumed that those who were divorced by sinful spouses, or those who divorced sinful spouses for “marital uncleanness” or abandonment, were free to remarry without any tinge of adultery. However, believers are to remarry one who “belong[s] to the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:39) and the new marriage covenant is to be permanent.

For further help, read 1 Corinthians 7, and seek the advice of your pastor when possible.

  

I hope this helps,

JimR_/