Let me just say, this is a discussion, and I'm not trying to change your mind, because I feel that your mind is made up. At this point I'm accepting that you believe divorce, than remarriage is fine in certain circumstances. I would like to understand your position, so I know what people think, that think differently, than I do in Biblical sense regarding marriage after divorce.
In my mind, remarriage is only acceptable, if one of the spouses dies. Even Paul says, paraphrasing, it's better that widows stay single.
Now let's dive in, shall we?
That is an interesting verse, in that it stands alone, without context. Is it that unfaithfulness is not
a legitimate reason to divorce?
In my opinion, Jesus is bringing understanding to law, since Moses law was abused regarding divorce. Now I hear that many people are "New Testament Christians", so maybe the Old Testament isn't important to some, but here we are talking about the law.
Mathew 19:9 answers your question about a legitimate reason to divorce.
Luke 16
16 “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it. 17 It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.
18 “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Mathew 19
9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
Jesus said Moses allowed it due to the hardness of men's hearts. Yet
Jesus said in those verses (Matthew 19:8-9) that divorce is allowed in the case of infidelity.
I think Jesus is the best commentary we have for the Old Testament. I really believe Jesus is interpreting Deuteronomy 24 1-4, so people don't abuse the law, and just divorce, because the next door neighbor is way nicer looking, or whatever.
Agree or disagree?
I don't see Jesus throwing out the law of Moses, are you implying that he has? Why did you bring this up?
I really, really believe that Jesus was bringing meaning to Deuteronomy. You fail to mention Mathew 19:10, which is rather profound. "The disciples said to him, "If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry". I tend to agree with the disciples here. lol
Not to mention, Jesus replied, "Not everyone can accept this word".
Jesus might actually be hinting, that it's better not to marry. Yes?
Mathew 19:7-11
7 “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”
8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. 9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
10 The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”
11 Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. 12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”
So the Luke verse is referring to men divorcing their wives for any and all other reasons, not infidelity.
"Anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits
adultery."
That means it is not adultery to divorce and remarry in the case of unfaithfulness.
This is where you lost me....
"So the Luke verse is referring to men divorcing their wives for any and all other reasons, not infidelity."
The Luke verse is condemning marriage after divorce, not divorcing for any reason.
How did you read in, "referring to men divorcing their wives any reason?" This conclusion baffles me. Once again, how are you deriving that the "Luke verse is referring to men divorcing their weaves for any and all other reasons, not infidelity?" That is just a mystery. I don't understand your conclusion. Please explain.
So, here is the Luke 16:18
“Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery.
Where does it imply that men are divorcing their wives for any reason?!?! To me it reads, don't marry after divorce, because that is adultery. Yes or no? Once again, I want to understand your view point. Please explain how you came to your conclusion.
Next you pointed out Mathew 19:9, which states....
Mathew 19
9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for [a]sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.”
Than you conclude.....
"That means it is not adultery to divorce and remarry in the case of unfaithfulness".
I think you are twisting scripture, so now I see where you get your view point. That is some serious rodeo action right there. lol Let me try to break this down. You may think the same about what I think, but just being honest. We are still friends right?
lol
whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality...... Basically when you read this part of the verse, your thinking that it means, who ever divorces their wife for any reason, except adultery, than their marriage never existed, or they are free to marry again. No where does Mathew 19:9 say, that they divorcee is free to marry again, but quite the contrary, it says adultery and adultery, if you marry again. Like I said, it's a rodeo.
I honestly understand your position now, so thanks for clearing that up.
I will just say, that the only reason Jesus gave for divorce is adultery, in any other circumstance, it's a sin. Although, some will argue there are some other really good reasons for divorce, but we are talking scripture, not our feelings, or common sense.
If we understand, that we are trying to keep what Jesus taught, than we should know that adultery is the only reason for divorce, not the only reason, not to remarry. Every one is entitled to their view points, but I'm seriously glad that I understand your view point now.
The ending at last! yeah! lol
Mathew 19
10 The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”
11 Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. 12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”
I found this comment in the commentary below, helpful in unscrambling the topic.
*"In short, Jesus declares divorce sinful except in the case of sexual immorality".
https://www.bibleref.com/Matthew/19/Matthew-19-9.html
I did try very hard to understand what you meant and responded the best way I could. I feel enlightened and understand your position now, even though we disagree.