Divorce and Remarriage

Northwest Bible Church – Jan. 25, 2026 – Matthew – Alan Conner

Matthew 5:31-32

Divorce and Remarriage

Intro

A. THE O.T. TEACHING ON DIVORCE FROM DEUTERONOMY 24:1-4 (Matthew 5:31).

1. “It was said” 
2. Observations on Deuteronomy 24:1-4.

a. There is no command to divorce, nor is God giving grounds for divorce.   

b. The meaning of “indecency.”

3. The prevailing view was that of Hillel: divorce for any reason.    

B. CHRIST’S VIEW ON DIVORCE (Matthew 5:31-32).

4. Jesus’ view has only one exception.    
5. The added information from Matthew 19:

a.  19:4-6.  Christ appeals to God’s original design for marriage.  

b.  19:8.  Divorce was allowed due to the hardness of their hearts. 

c.  19:9.  Jesus repeats the one exception rule mentioned in Matthew 5:32.   

6. The meaning of “unchastity”  (porneia) is sexual sin in general (Matthew 5:32).   
7. How did the death penalty for adultery get changed to divorce?

a. Sinful unwillingness to obey, and God allowing divorce.

b. In 1^st century Judaism, the law required divorce for an adulterous wife.

c. The law seems to allow for lesser punishments (Numbers 35:30-31).

d. God’s example of divorcing Israel, Jeremiah 3:8. 

SUMMARY