A Simple Comparison (Jeff Belknap)

The current disagreement over a subsequent “putting away / asunder” and remarriage to another for the “innocent” put away person is not complicated. Jesus stated, “Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth ADULTERY: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth ADULTERY” (Luke 16:18). The truth of God’s word does not change due to unjust emotional scenarios!

Folks, after an unauthorized divorce, the Law of God regarding remarriage to another for those who are put away (while one’s original mate lives, Romans 7:2-3), is clearly stated (Matthew 5:32b; 19:9b; Luke 16:18b)! Be wary of many words which complicate and contradict (Job 11:1-6; Proverbs 10:19; II Corinthians 11:2). We must compare what the Bible says to what men are saying if we are to ascertain who is “speaking as the oracles of God” (I Peter 4:11; cf. Acts 17:11; Colossians 3:17). Beware of thinking that is beyond “what is written” (I Corinthians 4:6; II Corinthians 10:5), and remember that one misapplication of the truth leads to many others (II Timothy 2:15-16).

Since John commanded us “not” to “receive” “whosoever” abides not in the teaching of Christ (II John 9-11; cf. Romans 16:17-18), we must “try the spirits” to discern who is “of God” (I John 4:1, 5-6). Those who would be faithful must not “suffer” (tolerate) those who would bring us into bondage (II Corinthians 11:19-20), when it involves a teaching that causes souls to be eternally lost (I Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21). Moreover, some have said that differences over this issue are only a matter of opinion. However, that is only true if the word of God is no more than opinion.

Please acknowledge the following chart comparing God’s word to the words of men and make a righteous judgment (John 7:24):

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS vs. WHAT MAN SAYS ABOUT UNAPPROVED MARRIAGES / DIVORCES & THOSE INVOLVED IN THEM
The Bible Says:	Man Says:
“Let not” man put asunder Mt. 19:6 (Mk. 10:9)	Man CANNOT put asunder!
“Man” puts marriage asunder Mt. 19:6 (Mk. 10:9)	God puts marriage asunder!
When a wife sinfully divorces her husband she is “unmarried” I Cor. 7:11; cf. Mk. 10:12	She is STILL married!
The faithful / unwilling can be divorced I Cor. 7:12-13, 15	The faithful / unwilling CANNOT be divorced!
Mankind “shall put away” without authority to do so: Mt. 5:32; 19:9; Mk. 10:11-12	Mankind CANNOT “put away” without God’s authority and without the consent of their spouse!
When a man wrongfully puts away his wife, she “is divorced” / “is put away” Mt. 5:32; 19:9; Lk. 16:18	She is NOT divorced / put away!
Putting away / asunder is that which splits the “one flesh” to make it twain. Mt. 19:3-6 (Mk. 10:2-9); I Cor. 7:10-11.	Putting away / asunder may be done *after* the “one flesh” relationship has already become two (“twain”).
It is possible for man to “be married” unscripturally! Mk. 10:12; Rom. 7:3; cf. Mk. 6:17-18	God does not recognize an unapproved marriage as a marriage! NOTE: There is a difference between recognize and authorize.*
When the put away whose original mate still lives marries another, she “doth commit adultery” Mt. 19:9b (Rom. 7:3)	In some cases, the put away “doth” NOT “commit adultery” when she marries another while her original mate yet lives!
When one wrongfully divorces an unwilling mate, God calls them “unmarried” while still bound (I Cor. 7:10-11).	After the wrongful divorce of an unwilling mate, one remains married for as long as they are bound.
The wrongfully divorced are to “remain unmarried or be reconciled.” I Cor. 7:11 cf. Mt. 19:11-12	It is NOT necessary to “remain unmarried” IF the one who perpetrated the wrongful divorce later commits fornication.
*Prohibition* from remarriage to “another,” is based on the bond that remains after the marriage ends (Rom. 7:2-3).	*Possibility* for future remarriage to “another” is based upon the continuing state of being bound after wrongful divorce.
When a man wrongfully puts away his wife, he causes her to commit adultery upon her marriage to another. Mt. 5:32	If he remarries first, he does not cause her to commit adultery when she remarries another. *Contrary to Mt. 19:9; Lk. 16:18
NOTE: The sequence in Luke 16:18 (cf. Matthew 19:9) teaches that even when the man who wrongfully put away his wife is the FIRST to marry another, the put away woman still commits ADULTERY when she marries another!

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12; cf. 16:25)!