ACC ~ Matthew 5 v32

HE MAKES HER AN ADULTERESS

CHRYSOSTOM: How can one who is meek and a peacemaker and poor in spirit and merciful cast out his wife? How can one who reconciles be alienated from her that is his own? … Even in this case he makes one exception: “for the cause of fornication.” One who does not look with unchaste eyes upon another woman will certainly not commit fornication. By not committing fornication he will give no occasion that they should become alienated. Thus you see Jesus presses his point without reserve and builds up this fear as a bulwark, urging on the husband great danger, who if he does cast her out, makes himself accountable for her adultery. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 17.4. [1]

[1] PG 57:260; NPNF 1 10:119**.

DISSOLVING A MARRIAGE

THEODORE OF HERACLEA: Through these things he clearly teaches that it is not unreasonable divorce which dissolves a marriage in God’s sight. Rather, irresponsible action dissolves a marriage, even if the divorce is legal. For the whole teaching of Christ judges things according to one’s disposition. [1] FRAGMENT 34. [2]

[1] Or intention.

[2] MKGK 66.

SHE REMAINS HIS BODY

THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: He has mixed his statement about divorce with one concerning fornication, for men who turn away from their own spouses out of a desire for intercourse with other women have committed adultery. The same applies to women. Thus he does not allow the divorced woman to remarry. The man she lives with must pay the penalties of an adulterer. For even if, to all appearances, she is separated from her husband, in spiritual reality she remains his body. At the beginning, she was joined and fitted by God to her husband as “one flesh.” [1] For the same reason, neither is the man able to marry another woman. FRAGMENT 33. [2]

[1] Gen 2:24.

[2] MKGK 107.