Marriage and Civil Authority
The Scriptures mostly authorize or forbid certain actions by means of a command, but occasionally implication is used. For example, in Mark 6:17-18, we see that Herod \u\u\"married" his brother Philip ot for him to have his brother\'s wife. Obviously, Herodias could not be Philip\'s wife and Herod\'s wife at the same time. Even though Herod had \"married\" her, she remained Philip\'s wife. How is that possible? Herod \"married\" Herodias with the civil government\'s approval, but God did not approve. Therefore, their marriage was not authorized by God because what a civil government does is irrelevant when it contradicts God\'s law.
The same approach must be applied to Matthew 19:9. In today\'s world, a no-fault divorce is easily obtained, but such divorces are not valid. The only legitimate reason for divorce is still one mate engaging in fornication. If a man obtains a civil divorce from his wife and she has not committed adultery, the action is invalid. At this point, he has four choices: 1) He can \"marry\" another, which will not be valid in God\'s eyes; 2) He can commit (or live in a state of) fornication; 3) He can remain celibate; 4) He can be reconciled to his wife.
But what about the wife who has not committed fornication but was \"divorced\" through means of an invalid civil action? She also has four options: 1) Be reconciled; 2) Remain celibate; 3) Commit (or live in a state of) fornication; 4) Marry again when her husband is unfaithful. In this instance, she understands that the civil action did not set her free. If she married again as soon as the civil action occurred, she would be just as guilty as her husband, and her marriage would be just as invalid. But instead she—still having not done anything immoral—waits to see what her husband plans to do. Will he consider reconciliation? That would be ideal and in harmony with God\'s purpose for marriage.
Instead, however, he begins to commit fornication with one or more women (or men), or he marries someone. He is clearly in violation of their marriage vows. She has a right to put him away by God\'s own definitions and in His eyes. Nothing can be done in a civil court, since legally their marriage was already declared ended—and he may be legally married to another. God understands what the wronged spouse has been through and that she committed no sin. She, because of her husband\'s Herod-like actions does have authority to marry another, if she so chooses. Civil courts do not always act in harmony with the will of God, which is the reason that His law must take precedence.
[This article was originally published on March 12, 2017, and is reprinted at this time by request.]