Matthew 19:1-12 #7

Matthew 19:1-12 #7
Notice especially verses 10-12. It is amazing that the apostles so quickly understood the words of Jesus! They did not have to read long commentaries or listen to numerous debates in order to discover the meaning of Jesus’ words. They obviously immediately recognized that Jesus had forbid divorce for any cause except fornication. They clearly had been accustomed to the more loose way the Pharisees had handled divorce and were so convinced of the difficulty of staying married for a lifetime, they respond that it would be better not to marry at all. That reaction gives us a picture of a society that had grown calloused toward the sanctity of the marriage bond.Jesus’ response to their statement was that not everyone could handle a precept of completely forbidding marriage. Please note, Jesus is not saying that some cannot handle His law on divorce and remarriage. It would be silly for Jesus to proclaim His law that an unscriptural divorce and remarriage results in adultery and then turn and say that not everyone can handle that, so get married anyway. No, Jesus is teaching that every person has a right to at least one spouse and to forbid that would be too much for some to handle. Only those (like the apostle Paul) to whom it is given (who have that ability to never marry and still stay pure) can accept the opinion that it is better not to marry.

In verse 12, Jesus lists three categories of eunuchs. Some are in that condition because of a birth defect. Some are in that condition because of being made that way by a slave owner or king. In other words, these first two categories would be eunuchs made so against their wishes. The third category is by one’s own choice for the sake of the kingdom. It is not a literal surgery, but a choice to remain single. Paul made such a choice and recommended it to others (1 Cor. 7:26-38) in order to have more time in the Lord’s service. Others may have to choose that route as a result of divorcing unscripturally and being unable to reconcile to their spouse. However, that is by far not the most difficult thing the Lord ever required of a person. A study of the prophets or of Hebrews 11 will provide ample evidence that many were required far greater sacrifice than remaining single. Losing eternity is not worth a few years of an unscriptural marriage.
Berry Kercheville