Source sequence 59 of 85

Honor Marriage

Scripture

Primary passage

Matthew 19:3–9

3 Pharisees came to him, testing him and saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?” 4 He answered, “Haven’t you read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, ‘For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, don’t let man tear apart.” 7 They asked him, “Why then did Moses command us to give her a certificate of divorce and divorce her?” 8 He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it has not been so. 9 I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she is divorced commits adultery.”

Primary passage · World English Bible

The command

Hear what Jesus commands.

Honor God's covenant intention for marriage and resist hard-hearted treatment that discards a spouse.

In context

Hear the whole passage.

When Pharisees test Jesus with a legal debate, He returns to creation, one-flesh covenant, and the hardness of heart behind divorce practices.

What this reveals

What this reveals about God.

Jesus forms covenant-faithful people who approach marriage, divorce, and remarriage with holiness, truth, protection, and compassion.

Practice this command

Take one concrete step.

If married, take one concrete step of fidelity, repair, or honest communication. If facing harm, separation, or divorce, seek safe pastoral and professional counsel.

Discuss

Talk about it.

How does Jesus redirect a search for legal permission toward God's intent and the condition of the heart?

Pray

Pray this.

Jesus, confront hard-heartedness, strengthen covenant faithfulness, protect vulnerable spouses, and give wisdom in painful situations.

Teach

Teach it simply.

Acknowledge interpretive questions and never use the passage to compel someone to remain in danger or to conceal abuse.

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