Personal Status – No divorce except for the cause of adultery
Personal Status
Before we examine the reasons for divorce that some propose, we must ask a serious question and place it before our consciences:
Do we have the right to establish laws against the law of Christ?
In this very matter, the Lord Himself has left us a binding commandment. The Evangelists explained this law in unmistakable and unambiguous words, from the very mouth of Christ Himself:
The Gospel according to Matthew (5:31–32; 19:3–9).
The Gospel according to Mark (10:2–12).
The Gospel according to Luke (16:18).
And the summary of the Lord Christ’s law is:
No divorce except for the cause of adultery.
So what is our position regarding the Lord’s commandment?
Do we dare to say to the Lord that His law is not suitable for our times, that it is harsh and difficult, and that He did not fully understand family circumstances and household problems—therefore we have established another law more convenient, one that pleases those who wish to walk the broad path and enter through the wide gate?
Another question:
Who among us has the authority to establish such a new law?
Indeed, the Lord gave authority to the clergy to bind and to loose. But this authority is limited to the scope of His commandments. They may bind and loose in accordance with His law, but they have no authority to break His commandments or to replace His religion with another.
This is a very serious matter.
Who among us can bear the punishments written in Scripture in such a case?
“If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life” (Revelation 22:18–19).
Can we, concerning divorce, preach a gospel other than that which Christ delivered? Then let us hear the judgment spoken by the Apostle Paul:
“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8).
Beloved brethren…
The wide and easy road exists and is simple to take. Anyone may evade the commandment of Christ and divorce as he wishes—but such a divorce is null from its foundation because it is against the Gospel. The one who divorces is condemned, and his wife—if divorced for any reason other than adultery—remains his lawful wife. It is absolutely forbidden for him to marry another while she lives, no matter how he may hide behind church procedures which, according to the law of Christ, are invalid.
The priest who marries a man who has divorced his wife by such a false divorce is condemned before God for breaking His commandments. His church actions in such a marriage are void, for the first marriage still stands.
And you, clergy…
Do not think that you are more compassionate toward people than Christ Himself. Do not try to solve family problems by placing yourselves in situations that make you lose the Kingdom. The commandment of the Lord Jesus is clear:
“Whoever divorces his wife except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery” (Matthew 19:9).
How can anyone escape such a verse?
Some may say: “We allow him to divorce lest he change his religion.” But you who say this—are you not afraid for that man to lose the Kingdom if he lives in adultery? For such a new marriage is considered adultery in Christianity!
If he changes his religion or sect, he lives with a troubled and guilty conscience, feeling that he has sinned—and perhaps he may repent and return. But when you marry him in this false marriage, his adultery gains a churchly legitimacy that numbs his conscience; he sleeps upon a pillow of church rituals, and your conscience too sleeps upon another pillow of false compassion, as though you were more merciful than Christ.
Can you, blessed father, be so compassionate as to abolish also the verses that say:
“Whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two” (Matthew 5:39–40).
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Article by His Grace Bishop Shenouda, Bishop of Education – El-Keraza Magazine, Year 1, Issue 5 – June 1965.
