Roman 14, Fellowship and Questions about Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage

by Larry Rouse

I am often asked questions about where I stand on crucial Bible questions because my use of past articles written by men who were involved in controversies on this question. I wish to briefly answer some typical questions that I am asked as well as provide links to recent outlines I have used that are posted on this website.

 

Question: Who is eligible to marry?

            1. One who has never married. (1 Cor 7:2)

            2. One whose mate has died. (Rom 7:3)

            3. One who has put away their mate for fornication. (Matt 19:9)

Question: What Constitutes a Divorce?

            1. It is a legal breaking of the marriage relationship. (Matt 19:3-6)

                        a. One may break the relationship without breaking the marriage

                            bond. (Rom 7:2; 1 Cor 7:10-11)

                        b. Some “single” people are in fact “bound” to another.

                        c. Herod had a marriage to one who was bound to another.
                            (Mk 6:16-18)

            2. God only recognizes a divorce for one reason. (Matt 5:32)

                        1. It takes true conviction to stay in a marriage that has turned bad
                            when there is no cause for divorce.

                        2. A mate who drives another into adultery is not innocent.

            3. There is no such thing as a “mental” divorce or a “mental” marriage!

 

See Full Outline: http://www.aubeacon.com/Sermons2012/RestoringMarriagetotheWillofGod%20_New_.pdf

 

Question: Should questions concerning marriage, divorce and remarriage be placed in the context of Romans14?

 

This is a misapplication of Romans 14.

            1. There is a specific kind of difference addressed in this chapter! All
                positions mentioned are right with God within themselves.
                (Rom 14:1-4)

            2. Paul takes one of the issues and clearly expounds upon it.
                (Rom 14:14)

            3. If all doctrinal differences are placed in the instructions in this
                chapter then: (1) No doctrinal difference should have an impact on
                fellowship with God or with brethren. (v3) (2) We would be sinning
                to tell another they are wrong about a matter and then trying to
                teach them! (v4)

 

http://www.aubeacon.com/Sermons2013/HowDoWeDealWithDoctrinalDifferences.pdf

 

We must carefully study our Lord’s instructions on questions concerning marriage, divorce and remarriage and follow them without compromise. We must not fear open study and discussion on these questions.