And it was said that, “Whoever divorces his wife, he is to give her a certificate of divorce.” But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except concerning a word of fornication, makes her to commit adultery. And whoever happens to marry one who is released commits adultery.” (Matthew 5:31-32).
Divorce, which is derived from the concept of standing away from, is not the way God designed the relationship between a husband and wife. That which God has joined, no one is to separate (Matthew 19:5). When Adam saw Eve, he understood this fact. She is bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh. Therefore, a man will leave his father and mother and be joined as one flesh to his wife (Genesis 2:23–24).
Divorce was permitted under the law only because of the hardness of the Israelites’ hearts (Matthew 19:6). Jesus’ statement concerning divorce was difficult for his disciples to understand. Their response to this news was disbelief, saying it would be better for a man not to marry (Matthew 19:10). Although not all must marry, those who can accept God’s word are to receive it (Matthew 19:11).
Since adultery is a work of the flesh, among Christians it is not to be named (Galatians 5:19). If a husband and wife separate, they are to remain unmarried or be reconciled (1 Corinthians 7:11). The only exception to this is if the man or woman who is an unbeliever determines to leave the relationship. In that case, the believer may remarry (1 Corinthians 7:12–16). However, they should only marry other believers in the same manner as when a spouse has passed on (1 Corinthians 7:39). Therefore, an abusive husband is certainly grounds for separation, even to the point of legal separation. But this situation is not to be used as an excuse to remarry. The believer is to remain unmarried until the offending spouse passes away. Only then is the one remaining free to marry another. This is a hard statement, but true to Scripture. We reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). Marriage is not to be taken lightly. It is a covenant that ought not to be broken! And it is shameful when believers partake in such practices.
In the Millennial Kingdom, Christ will not permit divorce. We of the Church live by a higher standard, for we have all things pertaining to life and godliness in Christ. Thus, except in the case of fornication or an unbeliever departing, those who separate are to remain unmarried.
