DIVORCE

Divorce may be defined as the legal dissolution of a marriage covenant. Under the Mosaic regime, divorce could be obtained for a variety of reasons (Dt. 24:1; Mt. 19:8). But this looseness was merely tolerated; it was not the divine ideal. Under the Christian system, the strictness of the marital union was restored to its original design (Mt. 19:8b). Divorce is authorized for one cause only -- that of fornication (sexual intercourse) by a marital partner against an innocent victim (Mt. 5:32; 19:9). Mark 10:12 provides the woman with the same right as the man. There may be occasions where the Christian companion may need to separate for safety's sake (cf. 1 Cor. 7:11), but divorce is narrowly permitted. Mere abandonment by a thoughtless spouse does not constitute grounds for divorce and/or remarriage (1 Cor. 7:15).