Christ allowed divorce for one reason. He said, “Whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, maketh her to commit adultery.” Matt. V., 32.

Christ allowed permanent separation if adultery be committed, but He does not allow divorce and re-marriage in the sense you intend. When He said, “Whosoever shall put away his wife, except for the cause of fornication, maketh her to commit adultery, etc.,” the sense He intended was this, “Whosoever shall put away his wife (I am not speaking of mere separation without re-marriage, for that is lawful in the case of fornication), but whosoever shall put away his wife … he that marries her commits adultery.” This is the only possible interpretation in the light of parallel passages. Thus St. Mark records Christ’s words absolutely, “Whosoever shall put away his wife and marry another, committeth adultery against her.” X., II. In St. Luke, also, we have the words without any parenthesis: “Every one that putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery, and he that marrieth her that is put away from her husband, committeth adultery.” XVI., 18. St. Paul tells us clearly, “A woman is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband die, she is at liberty.” I. Cor. VII., 39. For a Christian, then, there is no such thing as divorce and re-marriage whilst the first partner is still living. Attempted re-marriage results in a sinful union only. You can have divorce and give up Christianity, or you can have Christianity and give up divorce You cannot have both.

Radio Replies Volume 1 by Rev. Dr. Leslie Rumble MSC and Rev. Charles Mortimer Carty