Divorce -- By: John J. Murray

Journal: Westminster Theological Journal
Volume: WTJ 10:2 (May 1948)
Article: Divorce
Author: John J. Murray


Divorce

Fourth Article

John Murray

VI I Corinthians 7:10–15

IN the preceding article of this series the position was taken that the exceptive clause of Matthew 19:9 is both genuine and authentic and that, therefore, the innocent husband is accorded the right not only to put away the wife who has committed adultery but also to marry another after the divorce from his former wife has been consummated. Those who controvert this position appeal not only to Mark 10:11; Luke 16:18, where no exceptive clause occurs, but also to I Corinthians 7:10, 11: “But to the married I give charge, not I but the Lord, that the wife depart not from her husband — but if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband — and that the husband leave not his wife”. The reason for such appeal to this Pauline deliverance is obvious; here it is distinctly provided that if, as a matter of fact, husband and wife have been separated from each other then they must remain unmarried or be reconciled. A case of separation without the right to remarry is clearly envisaged. Indeed, this passage expressly forbids remarriage on the part of either spouse. Hence it is concluded that while adultery gives to the innocent spouse the right to put away (a thoro et mensa), yet to neither spouse is accorded the right of remarriage.1

The appeal to this text in the interest of supporting such a position is singularly inconsistent. It is quite true that Paul here contemplates a case of separation and distinctly declares that the parties are to remain unmarried. But the relevance of this rule to the case of divorce for adultery is by no means apparent. The Romish exegetes, for example, who adduce this text in support of their position should have recognised that if this text has relevance to the case of divorce for adultery, then it proves far too much. For Paul here not only says that the spouses, in the event of actual separation, must remain unmarried but also that they should never have been separated. He declares unequivocally, “But to the married I give charge, not I but the Lord, that the wife depart not from her husband. .. and that the husband leave not his wife”. If the rule of I Corinthians 7:10, 11 applies to the case of divorce for adultery, then it requires not only that the spouses, if separated, remain unmarried...

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