Apostle Paul responds to a request related to the one he addressed in the previous two verses. The subject is divorce. Paul repeats what the Lord Jesus taught concerning divorce (Matthew 5:31-32, 19:1-12; Mark 10:1-12; Luke 16:18)
The most notable quote comes from Apostle Matthew. Jesus told some Pharisees who came to test him, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.” The disciples were shocked. We know that Peter was married. So at least he knew of the problems of marriage. But they all had witnessed their parents’ relationship problems.
Jesus replied to them, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”
Something for the married believer in Jesus to consider is his faithfulness to us. He promises us, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b) Cannot I follow his example in this?
