Divorce in New Testament

τὸ ἀποστάσιου, tó apostásiou): The Scripture doctrine of divorce is very simple. It is contained in Matthew 19:3-12.

We are not called upon to treat of divorce in the Mosaic legislation (Deuteronomy 24:1-4). That was passed upon by Jesus in the above discussion and by Him ruled out of existence in His system of religion. After Jesus had spoken as above, the Mosaic permission of divorce became a dead letter. There could not be practice under it among His disciples. So such Old Testament divorce is now a mere matter of antiquarian curiosity.

It may be of interest in passing to note that the drift of the Mosaic legislation was restrictive of a freedom of divorce that had been practiced before its enactment. It put in legal proceedings to bar the personal will of one of the parties. It recognized marriage as a social institution which should not be disrupted without reference to the rights of society in it. In this restrictive character “the law is become our tutor to bring us unto Christ” (Galatians 3:24). But here, as in numerous other instances, Christ went behind the enactments to primitive original principles whose recognition would make the law of none effect, because no practice was to be permitted under it. Thus the Old Testament is disposed of.

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Author: International Std. Bible Encyclopedia

Keywords: Divorce in New Testament, Adultery, Get, Divorced, Remarriage, Remarry, Grounds for divorce, Reasons to divorce, Infidelity, Marriage, Marital unfaithfulness, Marital infidelity, Divorcement, Bill of divorcement, Marriage contract, Certificate of divorce

Source: James Orr (editor), The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, 5 volume set.

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