Deuteronomy 24:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In providing a response that addresses their weakness, He indicated His disapproval of their actions and did not acknowledge it as a legitimate marriage. He pointed out that her former husband, who had released her, could not reclaim her as his wife, stating, “after she was defiled.” This choice of words clarifies that a subsequent marriage while the first husband lives constitutes a defilement rather than a true union. Hence, He does not refer to it as a second marriage. Consider what He articulated in accordance with His teachings. He also provided the rationale, stating, “for this is an abomination before the Lord.”

It is unwise to take a woman who has been separated from her husband due to a blessed misfortune and who has experienced dishonor from another source; moreover, it is utterly irrational. The scripture states, "thou shalt keep...," and it warns, “an adulteress is mad and wicked” (Proverbs 18:23). This passage not only prohibits indulging in what is clearly disgraceful and widely condemned, but it also forbids defaming what is virtuous by declaring it shameful. Both actions are sinful: to show affection for that which should be shunned and to reject that which deserves honor. As it is written, “woe to them that call evil good, and good evil; that call darkness light, and light darkness; that call bitter things sweet, and sweet things bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20). Thus, one should not reclaim what was lost, nor should one allow harm to come to the truth or to one who has not yet been revealed.

He is unable to take her back and welcome her into his home, primarily to avoid inciting fears in her subsequent spouse, which could lead to hostility between the first and second husbands. Moreover, if suspicion arises, the woman may feel entirely rejected; her first husband may refuse to keep her due to animosity, while the second may refrain from accepting her out of fear and unease.

If this sister claims she has married another due to violence and desires to partake in the body of Christ without being labeled an adulteress, she must repent. However, from the moment of her repentance, she should not be joined to her second husband, who is in fact an adulterer, not a true spouse. If she finds it difficult to separate from him because of her affection, she must not overlook the suffering of Christ and should heed the Apostle’s words: you cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot share in the Lord's table and the table of demons (1 Cor. 10:21). Furthermore, what communion does light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? (2 Cor. 6:15).