Preaching on Marriage
By Micky Galloway

The Bible is a marvelous book that reveals to us God's will in all things that "pertain to life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3). The "gospel of the grace of God" and "the kingdom of God" is all the "counsel of God" (Acts 20:24-27). The gospel message is a message that will ultimately bring us happiness. Contained in this message is God's will pertaining to our homes and our marriages. Obedience is always blessed (Deuteronomy 10:13), but sin always brings hardship and never brings privileges (Proverbs 13:15).

In the society in which we live, marriage problems are an ever-present reality. However, God's marriage law, as revealed in the New Testament, is as applicable now as it was in the first century. Without a doubt, we've all been touched, in one way or another, by the sorrow of marriage, divorce, and remarriage problems. As this problem increases in society, it continues to grow as a problem among God's people. We must however, be content to "speak where the Bible speaks and remain silent where the Bible is silent." (cf. 1 Peter 4:11)

God's marriage rule is simple--one man for one woman for life. In Genesis 2:24, God said, "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." In the New Testament, Jesus repeated the rule when He commented, "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." (Matthew 19:5-6) This rule requires one man for one woman. Notice "a man, " and "his wife." This original rule of God excludes all immorality. This "one flesh" relationship between "a man" and "his wife" forbids fornication, adultery, polygamy, concubines, homosexuality, and bestiality. These things desecrate the union, and Jesus said they give grounds for the innocent to put away the guilty. One who is guilty of these sins could in no way profit from his sin by desecrating one relationship and forming another. Therefore, the put-away fornicator is excluded from marrying another.

Man has not always followed God's marriage-relationship law. In Genesis 4:19, we read of the first case of bigamy. Later, in Genesis 12:10-20, we read of one offering his wife to another. Further, in Genesis 16:1-3, a man had a child by a household maid. In Genesis 25:1-6, we read of men taking concubines. Moses even made a concession regulating Jews who were divorcing their wives (Deuteronomy 24:1-4). However, when Jesus explained God's original marriage law, He said, "But from the beginning it hath not been so." Jesus ended the Mosaic concession and commanded, "What God hath joined together, let not man put asunder ... And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth her when she is put away committeth adultery." (Matthew 19:6-9). Fornication is the only exception that Jesus gave in His answer to the question, "Is it lawful (for a man) to put away his wife for every cause?" (Matthew 19:3) Jesus allows one who is innocent to put away his or her guilty companion and "marry another." In every other case, except this one, Jesus said that if one marries another, it is adultery.

We are now being told that 1 Corinthians 7:20-24 teaches that those involved in polygamous marriages may keep their multiple wives. Note the following example:

"There is absolutely no evidence that those who practiced polygamy had to divorce all but their first wife before they could become Christians. If polygamy is marriage in Scripture, it seems that God would not want to break up a polygamous marriage any more than he would want to break up a monogamous marriage."

"Therefore, it seems that when we preach the gospel to a society who still practices polygamy, before we demand that they break up their polygamous marriages, before they become Christians, let's make sure that this is God's will. We are certain of one thing and that is that God wants monogamy. However, it is also certain that God condoned polygamy as a marriage relationship. If God changed his mind about this, he never revealed it to us." (MARRIAGE & DIVORCE by John L. Edwards, p.83. NOTE: This is not Johnnie Edwards of Indiana)

The truth is, Paul told the Corinthians not to seek to change the outward conditions or circumstances of life that God had given to them. This principle of remaining in one's Scriptural marital status permeates the whole of 1 Corinthians 7.

Paul illustrated this principle with circumcision (vs. 18-19) and slavery (vs. 21-23). Whether then it was one's marital status, or nationality, or social status, Paul urged them to remain in the situation they were in when they were called to Christ. To apply this principle of "remaining" to those who are involved in adulterous or polygamous marriages is major abuse of the text. Paul is only considering situations that God "assigns" (vs. 17 NASV) to each, all of which are not sinful conditions. Paul did not suggest that one may remain in any sinful relationship, whether it is adulterous, incestuous, homosexual, or polygamous.

Let us have respect for God's simple rule--one man for one woman for life with only one possible exception ("except for fornication" (Matthew 5:32; 19:9). Certainly, when we submit to God's rule for our lives, we are preparing for happiness in this life, and we can share in the ultimate blessing of eternal life.

But what should our relationship be with those who teach and support error, even on the subject of marriage/divorce/remarriage? Indeed, the Bible teaches that fellowship is something one may extend, withhold, or withdraw. We are free to choose, based on Christ's divinely revealed teachings, the objects of our fellowship.

The Bible speaks of bidding some God speed. To bid God speed means to speak, affirm, or extend expressions of well-being and joy to others. It is a greeting of gladness and blessing that all may go well for the recipient. It speaks of the joyful acceptance of another.

In 3 John 8, the Bible says that "workers for the truth" are worthy of our reception, encouragement, and endorsement as they go on their way preaching and teaching God's word. "Beloved, thou doest a faithful work in whatsoever thou doest toward them that are brethren and strangers withal; who bare witness to thy love before the church: whom thou wilt do well to set forward on their journey worthily of God: because that for the sake of the Name they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. We therefore ought to welcome such, that we may be fellow-workers for the truth." (3 John 5-8) By receiving and encouraging faithful brethren who teach, preach, and live the gospel of Christ, we have fellowship with them and their work. As verse 8 says, we become "fellow-workers" with them. Such expressions of support and encouragement show our love for the saints, for the Lord, and for His truth; and we "do well to set forward on their journey worthily of God" (v. 6). We cannot do anything that would give aid or support to those who do not stand forthrightly on the simple platforms of truth revealed in the Scriptures-period!

However, there is another kind of person from whom we are to withhold such joyful expressions of support and prosperity, not that we are to be unfriendly or rude. There is no justification for such treatment of others. We are commanded to not lend encouragement, aid, and well wishes to those who do not teach the true doctrine of Christ: "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." (KJV 2 John 9-11) To bid God speed to one who teaches, promotes and/or lives in error is to "receive" him and his error just as surely as bidding God speed to one who teaches, promotes, and lives in truth means we "receive" him and the truth he advocates (cf. Matthew 10:40-42).

We are taught to "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them." (Ephesians 5:11) Surely we agree that false teaching (which is a departure from the faith) is a work of darkness (cf. 1 Timothy 4:1-3). Giving approval and support to the proclamation and proliferation of error makes us "partakers" (fellowship, communion) in the evil deed (2 John 11). Every disciple of Christ has a choice. To whom will we give encouragement and endorsement by way of offering our aid, assistance, or well wishes--the "workers for the truth" or those "who do not bring this teaching of Christ" (3 John 8; 2 John 10, 11)? Your choice determines whether you share in the good works of the gospel or in evil deeds of error. May our Lord strengthen each one of us to always make the right choice.

I want to thank brother Galloway for writing on a timely and needful subject. I concur with the statements made in his article because this is exactly what God's word teaches concerning those who seek to subvert and destroy the revealed faith.

But, I want to add something else to which we also cannot give approval. Some in the brotherhood desire that their consciences, their methods, and their conclusions be everyone else's. When any person labels a brother as a false teacher, we should ask to see the evidence and talk with the accused person to be certain about what he is advocating, encouraging, and teaching. "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves." (Acts 20:29, 30) The Bible clearly teaches us not to judge according to appearance or the "perverse things" spoken by others. We are to make righteous judgments (John 7:24).

Some among us have reached conclusions about what others teach based on unrelated issues they had with them in the past. Such conduct is smoke-screening and dishonest. These men, because of some other agenda, are merely seeking platforms from which to campaign against the person(s) they are accusing.

I've been accused of holding positions in favor of, and teaching on, issues against which I have preached since I became an evangelist. Yet, when I confront the so-called lovers of truth who make the accusations, they tell me that I believe what I adamantly deny! Such trouble-making brethren are as dangerous as any false teacher. Just because one man takes a different approach toward dealing with a brother with whom you disagree doesn't mean he is aiding and encouraging him to teach error. The false teacher's teaching, if it's contrary to sound doctrine, will entrap and expose him. Let us seek to save souls-not to promote the demise of our brethren! (KMG)


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