First, we point out the obvious biblical teaching that no adulterer can go to heaven: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10: “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.”
But Jesus also gives a definition of adultery in Matthew 19:9 that does not sit well with (most?) people: “I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
Jesus does not give “unfit spouse” or “unfit mother” as a reason to divorce and remarry. He does, however, say: “everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits [present tense] adultery” (Matt. 5:32). Jesus says in this text that the person divorcing his innocent wife “adulterizes” her. The innocent spouse has been sexually faithful (regardless of his or her other behavior). She is innocent of sexual unfaithfulness. However, the man who has divorced her and remarried has committed adultery and is committing adultery as long as they are married, per the words of our Savior.
A husband is married to his wife until death separates them (Romans 7:3). If death has not separated them and sexual immorality has not occurred, then for either one to enter a second marriage makes him or her an adulterer / adulteress. That’s the words of our Savior.
Paul wrote simply: “if she does leave, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband, and that the husband should not divorce his wife” (1 Cor. 7:11). He did not give “unfit mother” or “unfit wife” as a reason to remarry.
Jesus said, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her; and if she herself divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery” (Mark 10:11-12). Jesus’ words are the opposite of what many churches and elderships practice and preachers preach. But our disobedience does not negate His teaching.
There are occasions, Jesus teaches, when a man or woman must make himself or herself a “eunuch for the sake of the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:12). If “unfit mother” or “unfit wife” is a justifiable excuse, it seems that Jesus’ words have lost any meaning, if they ever had any.
Herod divorced the daughter of King Aretas and married Herodias who had been the wife of his half-brother Philip. Even while Herod and Herodias were married, she is described as “Philip’s wife:” Matthew 14:3; Mark 6:17; Luke 3:19. John, of course, was faithful to God more than to human emotions (cf. Gal. 1:10) and told Herod that his marriage was unscriptural (Mark 6:18). This preaching the truth cost John his life. But it saved his soul.
Paul Holland
