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DOES A “PUT AWAY” PERSON HAVE By Carrol R. Sutton There has been much discussion about the above question. The only standard by which we can determine the proper answer is the Word of God. It will instruct us in what is right. To it we now appeal. In Luke 16:18 Jesus said: “Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.” NOTE: This passage deals specifically with the question in our subject. It says that whosoever marries the one “put away” commits adultery! In Matthew 19:9 Jesus declared that “...Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.” NOTE: This passage also deals specifically with our question stated in the title of this article. It says that whoever marries the “put away” person commits adultery. In Mt. 5;32 Jesus said: “... whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.” NOTE: Again Jesus plainly says that whoever marries her that is “divorced” commits adultery. Conclusion: We must conclude from the above Scriptures that a “put away” person has no Scriptural right to marry another as long as her/his spouse lives. (See Rom. 7:2-3) NOTE: A person who is put away (divorced) “for the cause of fornication” may not have a Scriptural right to marry another although his/her spouse may be dead. I am not sure about this. In an effort to justify unscriptural divorces and marriages some have taken the position that it is not essential that a person comply with civil law in order for a person to marry or to divorce although Rom. 13:1-7; Titus 3:1 & 1 Peter 2:13-17 teach us that we should obey civil laws. Of course, if we are commanded by civil law to violate God’s law, “we ought to obey God rather than men.” (See Acts 5:29). To get around civil law some define the words translated “put away” or “divorce” as repudiate, dismiss or leave. However, this does not help their case one bit. Substitute repudiate, dismiss or leave for the words “put away” or “divorces” in Luke 16:18; Mt. 19:9 & Mt. 5:32 and see what it says. Luke 16:18 would say: Whosoever repudiates (dismisses or leaves) his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is repudiated (or dismissed or left) from (or by – Ed) her husband committeth adultery,” NOTE: Whosoever marries the repudiated, (or dismissed or left) wife would be guilty of adultery! Mt. 19:9 would say: “...Whosoever shall repudiate, (dismiss or leave) his wife, except for the cause of fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is repudiated (or dismissed or left) doth commit adultery.” NOTE: Whoso marries the repudiated, dismissed or left one would commit adultery! Mt. 5:32 would say: “...whosoever shall marry her that is repudiated (or dismissed or left) committeth adultery.” NOTE: In each of the above cases the “put away” or repudiated or dismissed one would not have the right to marry another even if the civil laws are disregarded!
The Instructor,
May, 2003; Volume 40, Number 5 |
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