I have a great book in front of me titled, “Studies in First Corinthians” by Pastor M.R. DeHaan, D.D. (teacher, Radio Bible Class). My copy is signed by Dr. DeHaan (1891-1965) himself, published in 1956. In the chapter titled, “To Marry Or Not To Marry?,” on page 89, Dr. DeHaan wisely teaches:
“Marriage Permanent
However, the advice Paul gives is a solemn warning against regarding lightly the marriage relationship between husbands and wives. It is a solemn rebuke against hasty marriages. Marriage is a solemn affair and a very serious thing and should be entered into only with the full knowledge of its responsibilities as well as its privileges. It is not a temporary arrangement, but is according to the Scriptures an an absolute contract for life. This seems to be in the mind of Paul also, for he concludes this section rather abruptly with the reminder:
The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord (I Corinthians 7:39)
The only thing, therefore, which can dissolve the relationship between Christian husbands and wives is death. Marriage is a contract for life. In the matters concerning the advisability of marriage there is individual latitude of opinion. There is no added virtue either in the married or the unmarried state, but once marriage has been consummated and contracted, nothing can dissolve it but the death of one of the parties. They have become one flesh. The husband has become the head of the wife, and the wife has become the body of the head. A marital monstrosity of a two-headed body is unthinkable in the mind of Paul. And this is just exactly what a remarriage of a divorced person would constitute.
Marriage, therefore, in the sight of God is a permanent arrangement, and it is for the duration of temporal life. 'For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer and forsaking every other, cleave to her only as long as you both shall live' was the vow you took when you were united. Nothing but sorrow and heartache can result from breaking this solemn promise which is a vow before Almighty God.”
SOURCE: M.R. DeHaan, M.D., “Studies in First Corinthians,” pp. 89-90; Zondervan Publishing House; © 1956; Grand Rapids, Michigan
Amen! There are NO Biblical grounds for divorce. Most preachers misinterpret Jesus' words in Matthew 19:9, “And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.” The Lord was not giving permission for divorce in cases of adultery. (As if the sin of murder wouldn't allow for a divorce, but the sin of adultery would?) Marriage is for life, good or bad. Divorce is always prohibited in the Holy Bible, except if the marriage was based upon fraud, discovered at the very beginning. Deuteronomy 24:1, “When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her (such as sexually-transmitted venereal disease): then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.” That is what the Lord meant, evidenced by the Scriptures themselves. The modern Alexandrian corrupted Bible revisions pervert the Scriptures, using terms in Matthew 19:9 indicative of adultery, but it is supposed to be “fornication” (i.e., sex before marriage). Marriage is for life, happy or miserable!
