… AND

MARRIES

ANOTHER

Divorce and Remarriage in

the Teaching of

the New Testament

CRAIG S. KEENER

Baker Academic

a division of Baker Publishing Group

Grand Rapids, Michigan

© 1991 by Craig S. Keener

Published by Baker Academic

a division of Baker Publishing Group

P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

www.bakeracademic.com

Baker Academic edition published 2012

ISBN 978-0-8010-4674-2

Previously published in 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

The Library of Congress has cataloged the original edition as follows:

Keener, Craig

And marries another: divorce and remarriage in the teaching of the New Testament / Craig Keener.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 0-943575-46-X (pbk.)

1. Divorce—Biblical teaching. 2. Divorce—Religious aspects—Christianity.

3. Remarriage—Biblical teaching. 4. Remarriage—Religious aspects—Christianity. 5. Bible. N.T.—Criticism, interpretation, etc. I. Title

BS2545.D58K44 1991

241′.63—dc20

91-47185

The internet addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers in this book are accurate at the time of publication. They are provided as a resource. Baker Publishing Group does not endorse them or vouch for their content or permanence.

Table of Contents

PREFACE

1. THE INTRODUCTORY QUESTION: THE RELEVANCE OF THIS BOOK

2. ANGER AND LUST: A MODEL FOR READING DIVORCE LAW IN THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

Jesus’ Other Sayings in Matthew

Example 1: Anger as Murder

Example 2: Lust as Adultery

Conclusion

3. JESUS ON DIVORCE: MATTHEW 5:32 (“No Divorce, But …”)

What Kind of Saying is This?

What Is the Meaning of the Exception Clause?

Conclusion

4. JESUS VS. THE PHARISEES: WHEN IS DIVORCE SINFUL?

The Schools of Hillel and Shammai

God’s Ultimate Purpose: The Two Shall Become One

Why Did Moses Allow Divorce?

The Immorality Exception: To Allow Divorce or Remarriage?

“Eunuchs for the Kingdom’s Sake”

Can Either Party Divorce?

Conclusion

5. PAUL AND DIVORCE: 1 CORINTHIANS 7:10–16

Divorce in Antiquity

The Source of Paul’s Wisdom

The Circumstances of Divorce

The Situation in Corinth: Religiously Mixed Marriages

“For the Children’s Sake”

The Believer Is “Not Under Bondage”

Being Content With One’s Situation

Remarriage and Sin

Conclusion

6. 1 CORINTHIANS 7 AND MARRIAGE

1 Corinthians 7 in Its Context

Singleness and Celibacy in Greco-Roman Thought

Marriage as Necessity in Early Judaism

Singleness and Abstinence in Early Judaism

Paul’s Argument in 1 Corinthians 7:1–7

Conclusion

7. CAN MINISTERS BE REMARRIED?—1 TIMOTHY 3:2

The Context of 1 Timothy 3:2

A List of Qualifications

“Husband of One Wife”

The One-Husband Wife in 1 Timothy 5

The One-Husband Ideal in Antiquity

The Other Requirements for Leadership

What Situation Is Being Addressed Here?

Conclusion...