Matthew 5:32 - but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery.
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What does "Matthew 5:32" mean?
This verse from Matthew 5:32 is a complex and often debated passage regarding divorce and remarriage. Here's a breakdown of its meaning and the different interpretations:
Literal Interpretation:
"Whoever puts away his wife...": This refers to a man divorcing his wife. In the context of first-century Jewish culture, men held the legal power to initiate divorce.
"...except for the cause of sexual immorality (Greek: porneia)...": This is the crucial exception clause. Porneia is a broad term that can encompass various forms of sexual immorality, including:
Pre-marital unfaithfulness: Some scholars believe it refers to sexual activity before marriage discovered after the marriage takes place.
Extramarital affairs (adultery): This is the most common interpretation.
Incest or other forbidden sexual relationships: The definition of porneia could extend to practices deemed unlawful within Jewish law.
"...makes her an adulteress...": This suggests that the divorce, if not for the reason of porneia, unjustly puts the woman in a position where she is likely to commit adultery. In that society, divorced women often faced significant economic and social hardship, making remarriage a necessity for survival. If the divorce was illegitimate, remarriage would be considered adulterous.
"...and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery.": This part emphasizes that marrying a woman who has been wrongly divorced also constitutes adultery. Because the original divorce was illegitimate, that makes any subsequent marriage illegitimate.
Key Points and Interpretations:
Focus on the Man's Responsibility: The verse primarily addresses the man's actions and responsibilities in the context of divorce. It strongly condemns divorce without a legitimate cause (i.e., porneia).
Meaning of Porneia: The definition of porneia is central to understanding the verse. The ambiguity of the term has led to varying interpretations and debates.
Context of Matthew's Gospel: Matthew wrote to a Jewish audience familiar with the Old Testament laws regarding marriage and divorce. The verse should be understood within that cultural and legal framework.
Emphasis on Covenant: Some interpretations emphasize the importance of the marriage covenant and the need for reconciliation. Divorce, except in extreme circumstances like porneia, is seen as a violation of this sacred bond.
Possible scenarios addressed:
If a man divorces his wife for reasons other than sexual immorality, the verse suggests this forces her into a position where she is likely to remarry, and that remarriage is considered adultery.
If a man marries a woman who was divorced illegitimately (for reasons other than sexual immorality), that man is also considered to be committing adultery.
Different Christian Views:
There are different views among Christians on how to interpret this verse:
Strict Interpretation (No-Divorce): Some believe that divorce is only permissible in cases of sexual immorality. They interpret porneia strictly as adultery or marital unfaithfulness. Remarriage after divorce is generally prohibited, except perhaps for the innocent party in a case of adultery.
More Permissive Interpretation: Others argue that porneia can encompass a wider range of sexual sins or egregious breaches of the marriage covenant. Some also believe that other circumstances, such as abuse or abandonment, might warrant divorce, although not necessarily remarriage.
Forgiveness and Grace: Some Christians emphasize the importance of forgiveness, reconciliation, and grace in dealing with marital difficulties. They believe that while divorce is never ideal, God's grace extends to those who have made mistakes or experienced the pain of a broken marriage.
In summary:
Matthew 5:32 condemns divorce without a valid reason, which it identifies as porneia (sexual immorality). It states that divorcing a wife for other reasons makes her vulnerable to committing adultery by remarrying, and anyone who marries a wrongly divorced woman also commits adultery. The exact interpretation and application of this verse are complex and subject to different viewpoints within Christianity. It is a verse that is often studied with great care, taking into account the original cultural context, the meaning of key terms, and the overall message of the Gospel.
Matthew 5:32 - but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery.
What does "Matthew 5:32" mean?
This verse from Matthew 5:32 is a complex and often debated passage regarding divorce and remarriage. Here's a breakdown of its meaning and the different interpretations:
Literal Interpretation:
"Whoever puts away his wife...": This refers to a man divorcing his wife. In the context of first-century Jewish culture, men held the legal power to initiate divorce.
"...except for the cause of sexual immorality (Greek: porneia)...": This is the crucial exception clause. Porneia is a broad term that can encompass various forms of sexual immorality, including:
Pre-marital unfaithfulness: Some scholars believe it refers to sexual activity before marriage discovered after the marriage takes place.
Extramarital affairs (adultery): This is the most common interpretation.
Incest or other forbidden sexual relationships: The definition of porneia could extend to practices deemed unlawful within Jewish law.
"...makes her an adulteress...": This suggests that the divorce, if not for the reason of porneia, unjustly puts the woman in a position where she is likely to commit adultery. In that society, divorced women often faced significant economic and social hardship, making remarriage a necessity for survival. If the divorce was illegitimate, remarriage would be considered adulterous.
"...and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery.": This part emphasizes that marrying a woman who has been wrongly divorced also constitutes adultery. Because the original divorce was illegitimate, that makes any subsequent marriage illegitimate.
Key Points and Interpretations:
Focus on the Man's Responsibility: The verse primarily addresses the man's actions and responsibilities in the context of divorce. It strongly condemns divorce without a legitimate cause (i.e., porneia).
Meaning of Porneia: The definition of porneia is central to understanding the verse. The ambiguity of the term has led to varying interpretations and debates.
Context of Matthew's Gospel: Matthew wrote to a Jewish audience familiar with the Old Testament laws regarding marriage and divorce. The verse should be understood within that cultural and legal framework.
Emphasis on Covenant: Some interpretations emphasize the importance of the marriage covenant and the need for reconciliation. Divorce, except in extreme circumstances like porneia, is seen as a violation of this sacred bond.
Possible scenarios addressed:
If a man divorces his wife for reasons other than sexual immorality, the verse suggests this forces her into a position where she is likely to remarry, and that remarriage is considered adultery.
If a man marries a woman who was divorced illegitimately (for reasons other than sexual immorality), that man is also considered to be committing adultery.
Different Christian Views:
There are different views among Christians on how to interpret this verse:
Strict Interpretation (No-Divorce): Some believe that divorce is only permissible in cases of sexual immorality. They interpret porneia strictly as adultery or marital unfaithfulness. Remarriage after divorce is generally prohibited, except perhaps for the innocent party in a case of adultery.
More Permissive Interpretation: Others argue that porneia can encompass a wider range of sexual sins or egregious breaches of the marriage covenant. Some also believe that other circumstances, such as abuse or abandonment, might warrant divorce, although not necessarily remarriage.
Forgiveness and Grace: Some Christians emphasize the importance of forgiveness, reconciliation, and grace in dealing with marital difficulties. They believe that while divorce is never ideal, God's grace extends to those who have made mistakes or experienced the pain of a broken marriage.
In summary:
Matthew 5:32 condemns divorce without a valid reason, which it identifies as porneia (sexual immorality). It states that divorcing a wife for other reasons makes her vulnerable to committing adultery by remarrying, and anyone who marries a wrongly divorced woman also commits adultery. The exact interpretation and application of this verse are complex and subject to different viewpoints within Christianity. It is a verse that is often studied with great care, taking into account the original cultural context, the meaning of key terms, and the overall message of the Gospel.