The Exception Clause - Matthew 19:1-9 (Deuteronomy 24:1-4)

Scripture

• Deuteronomy 24:1–4
• Matthew 19:1–9

About this sermon

Much attention in Matthew 19 has focused on the 9th verse. The reason for that is because of the presence of what has been referred to as the “exception clause.” As we noted in our last sermon, Christ’s emphasis in the passage, when it comes to the question of marriage, is not on how to get out of a marriage, but the mandate to maintain marriages. Christ’s emphasis in the passage, when it comes to the to the question of remarriage, is not on getting remarried, but the fact that adultery occurs when people get remarried after a divorce. What Jesus emphasized in the passage, is woefully underemphasized in the church. The church of our time does not emphasize the lifelong permanence of marriage. The church of our time barely mentions the reality of adultery when remarriage follows an unlawful divorce. All parties who take the Bible seriously should be able to agree, and must agree, that a remarriage that follows an unlawful divorce results in adultery. And yet, is that really emphasized, and are remarriages carefully examined in light of that reality? Sadly, Christ’s emphasis is not His church’s emphasis. But, having noted where Jesus placed His emphasis, we do have these words, “except for immorality.” We find the same exception in Matthew 5. 31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. In Matthew 5 and in Matthew 19 there is the mention of this exception. But what does it mean? The majority view, when it comes to the matter of divorce, usually takes the exception to refer to adultery. Sexual unfaithfulness after two people are married results in the nullification of the marriage covenant and sets the innocent party free to remarry. Tonight, I will contend that that is NOT what the exception refers to.