Divorce -- By: John J. Murray

Journal: Westminster Theological Journal
Volume: WTJ 09:2 (May 1947)
Article: Divorce
Author: John J. Murray


Divorce

Second Article

John Murray

II Matthew 5:31, 32

This is the first passage in the New Testament that deals with the question of divorce. Since it occurs in the discourse of our Lord known as the sermon on the mount, it is necessary at the outset to make a few observations bearing upon the formula used repeatedly in this part of the discourse and appearing in the passage with which we are directly concerned. The formula to which we refer is: “it was said. .. but I say to you” (ἐρρέθη. .. ἐγὼ δὲ λέγω ὑμῖν). It occurs in this chapter on six occasions — 5:21, 22; 5:27, 28; 5:31, 32; 5:33, 34; 5:38, 39; 5:43, 44. The contrast implicit in this formula is not to be interpreted as if our Lord were placing his own legislative teaching in opposition to the law of the Old Testament; far less is it to be regarded as implying abrogation of the Old Testament law. This should be obvious particularly for two reasons.

(a) In his introduction to the part of the discourse that is built around the repeated use of this formula Jesus emphatically disavows that he came to destroy the law (vss. 17–20). “Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy but to fulfil” (vs. 17). The verb used here, translated “destroy”, is one that might properly be rendered “abrogate”. He came not to abrogate but to fulfil. In the succeeding verse he provides the reason in the language of emphatic asseveration: “For verily I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall by no means pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (vs. 18). The two remaining verses (19, 20) offer the strongest confirmation of Jesus’ denial that he had come to abrogate

— they affirm the seriousness of the consequences entailed in the breach and disparagement of even the least of the commandments of the law. In verse

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