1. How many wives can a man have? One little boy said sixteen. It seems that when he went to a wedding he heard the preacher say, "Four better, four worse, four richer, four poorer." It might be funny were it not for the sad statistics concerning marriage in our country.

2. According to the February 22, 2001 issue of the National Vital Statistics Report issued by the CDC’s (Center For Disease Control and Prevention) National Center for Health Statistics:

a) A total of 8.4 million Americans got married in 1998 and a total of 4.2 million got divorced.

b) A total of 8.6 million Americans got married in 1999 and 4.1 million Americans got divorced.

c) These statistics indicate a total of one divorce for every two marriages!

3. What is God’s law concerning marriage, divorce, and remarriage? Consider Matthew 19:4-12.

I. Jesus’ plea to go to the word of God for authority (19:4).

A. "Have ye not read," a reference to Genesis 1:27. Also notice Genesis 5:2.

B. Consider man’s "ideas of authority" (preacher, opinions, feelings, etc.).

C. Scriptures are authoritative in all areas of life (Colossians 3:17, II Timothy 3:16-17).

II. The people who may marry. Obviously, must be a man and a woman (19:4).

A. Someone who has never been married (I Corinthians 7:2).

B. Someone whose previous spouse has died (Romans 7:2-3, I Corinthians 7:39).

C. Someone who is innocent of fornication but has put his (or her) spouse away because his (or her) spouse has committed fornication (Matthew 5:32, 19:9).

III. The permanency of marriage (19:5).

A. Cleave to his wife – to join fast together, to glue or cement. Marriage is to be a lifelong commitment!

B. Anyone who puts away his (or her) spouse and marries another commits adultery. The one exception – fornication (19:9). What if your spouse turns out to be an incompatible roommate? What if your spouse develops a number of undesirable habits? What if you and your spouse have serious financial problems? What if your spouse commits a crime and is imprisoned? What if you and your spouse disagree about how to rear your children? What if your spouse is stricken with a serious disease? What if you simply decide you do not love your spouse anymore? None of these situations is a reason for divorce and remarriage!

C. Some people contend that I Corinthians 7:12-15 provides another "exception" which would allow a divorced person to remarry. Not so!

1. Understanding Paul’s use of the phrase "not under bondage" (verse 15) is vital to understanding this passage.

2. Some incorrectly interpret this to mean "not under bondage to the law of Christ." Re: Acts 17:30, II Corinthians 5:10, John 12:48.

3. Others say the phrase means "not under bondage to the husband," thus implying the person has the right to remarry (Pauline Privilege). But notice I Corinthians chapter seven says nothing of remarriage! In fact, verse eleven stipulates, "But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband." In order for I Corinthians 7:15 to provide a person the right to remarry, it must contradict Matthew 19:9! Re: Romans 7:3.

4. The phrase "not under bondage" in I Corinthians 7:15 is translated from the Greek word dedoulotai. Its tense is double, meaning it implies a past action and affirms an existing result. If "bondage" in verse 15 refers to the marriage bond, Paul would be saying the believer was not married and had never been married. "Deo," the Greek word for the marriage bond, is used 44 times in the Greek New Testament. However, it is not used in I Corinthians 7:15.

5. Paul is not stipulating a second reason for divorce and remarriage in I Corinthians 7:15. Paul is saying that the believer has not been reduced to slavery (meaning of dedoulatai). The Christian is not a slave to the unbeliever and never had been. The Christian is not to allow the unbeliever to cause him to renounce Christ.

IV. The partnership that results - the husband and wife shall become one flesh (19:5-6).

A. Marriage creates a union (Genesis 2:24).

B. One flesh in terms of their physical relationship. Consider I Corinthians 6:9-11, I Corinthians 7:2, Galatians 5:19-21, Hebrews 13:4, and Revelation 21:8.

C. How else do they become one flesh? In name, purpose, ambitions, goals, etc.

V. The priority of heaven (19:10-12).

A. Jesus’ disciples said if this was the case concerning marriage, divorce, and remarriage, it would be better to remain unmarried. With them, there was no question concerning the need to obey God’s commandments/laws.

B. Some have made themselves eunuchs (remained single) for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. Their attitude was, "It’s better to be single than lost."

C. Contrast this attitude with many today who say, "If this is the case concerning marriage, divorce, and remarriage, it is better to be lost than single.

1. The issue of marriage/divorce/remarriage is a sensitive topic because of the emotions involved.

2. We should all take great care to respect God’s law concerning marriage, divorce, and remarriage.

3. We ought to devote ourselves to teaching/obeying God’s word in the matter rather than look for exceptions (loopholes) where there are none.