Searching the Scriptures

QUESTION: Where in Matthew 19:9 or any other scripture does it say that the one that has committed fornication and then marries another commits adultery for the rest of the time married to the second spouse? I don't read it in Matthew 19:9 that way or any other passage. Therefore, why do preachers preach it that way?

ANSWER: The words "commit adultery," found in Matthew 19:9 are from one Greek word - moichaō. It is a Present Middle or Passive Deponent Indicative Verb. The key to understanding its meaning is the "present" tense. The present tense represents continuing action. Thus, if a man divorces his wife for some reason other than "fornication" (unchastity) and remarries, he continually commits adultery - i.e., the parties involved keeps on committing the sin of adultery as long as the so-called second union continues. Therefore, the force of the grammar is that as long as the forbidden union exists the couple lives in adultery. In fact, in the original Greek of both Matthew 5:32 and Matthew 19:9, the idea is that of continuing action (i.e., continuing to commit adultery). Jesus pronounced the violation of "commits adultery" upon the "put away" spouse - there's no way to argue with His pronouncement. The forbidden union is a violation of self, those involved (reason: ineligible marital material), the marriage bond and God Himself. Remember the contextual statement of Jesus - "What God hath joined together..." God is intricately interwoven into the fabric of each marriage whether invited or not. Therefore, the violation of "adultery" is attributed to the fornicator on the grounds of union with someone other than their God ordained partner. Cf. the instruction of Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:17-18. Furthermore, conflicting interpretations will not change the TENSE (present tense - i.e., continuous action) of the verb "commits adultery." I hope this sheds light on the reason most Christians preach and teach what they do about divorce and remarriage. Jesus used a word (moichaō) that was clearly understood by those to whom he spoke. They understood “commit adultery” to mean continuous action.