Christian Monthly Standard

Divorce & Remarriage: Stating the Obvious?

Consider Paul’s command in 1 Corinthians 7:

8 I say to the unmarried and to widows: It is good for them if they remain as I am. 9 But if they do not have self-control, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with desire.

10 I command the married–not I, but the Lord–a wife is not to leave her husband. 11 But if she does leave, she must remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband–and a husband is not to leave his wife.

Paul clearly commands: If a person does divorce (not for the cause of sexual immorality- see Matthew 5:32, Matthew 19:9), the person MUST REMAIN unmarried or be reconciled. I have now heard two preachers argue that if a person does divorce, that one now becomes unmarried. If that one cannot be reconcile, the divorced (because he/she is unmarried) can marry, according to verse 9.

This is just pure deceit or a lack of intelligence. If Paul meant that the divorced could remarry if reconciliation was not possible, then why didn’t Paul simply say that? Why would Paul say to those who divorce: “SHE MUST REMAIN UNMARRIED?” Paul DID NOT say that she BECOMES unmarried. If she BECAME unmarried, then verses 8-9 would apply. But Paul did not state her condition. He stated a forbidden action- to not get married again. Paul gave a command: If she does divorce, she MUST REMAIN unmarried or be reconciled.

Yes, I know that many do not like this teaching and try to work their way around these words. But I think the teaching is straightforward. “I command the married–not I, but the Lord–a wife is not to leave her husband. 11 But if she does leave, she must remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband–and a husband is not to leave his wife.”

Let’s obey God, not people’s opinions.