Sent Away by Violence

God says (through Paul) that wives either should not leave their husbands or not remarry if they do leave and to be reconciled if possible. During Bible times, it was a huge risk for a woman to leave her husband. So, unlike the men who were divorcing for “any indecency,” there would have to be a very compelling reason for her to leave. If she left, she would not have an income or a home. If she left for another man, likely she would be stoned to death, so that was not the reason. One strong reason to leave would be his violence toward her or her children. When your life or your identity is at risk, the possibility of not having a home or children or an income doesn’t seem so bad in comparison.

In reference to marriage, Paul says that no one hates his “own body,” meaning that a man who sees a woman as his wife cares for her like he cares for himself because the two are “one body.” A man who beats his wife does not see that woman as part of his own body, if he did he wouldn’t beat her because no one beats (hates) his own body. This is the husband’s sin against his wife AND against God.

Paul also says that sexual immorality is a sin against “your own body,” meaning it is sin against both you and your spouse because you are “one body.” So, sexual immorality and violence are both unchaste behavior. God calls husbands to love their wives in a similar manner to how Christ loves the church and for wives to respect their husbands because God holds the husband more responsible for their family. They are called to live together in peace and abundance, as one body, but when a husband is violent he is separating what God has brought together.

God does not want anyone to live out their days of life in fear. But anyone living under the threats or acts of violence will have fear, it is their God-given emotion that keeps them alert to the danger. Jesus tells his disciples to protect themselves, to flee a city if they were persecuted. Surely, God doesn’t require more of ordinary people, expecting a wife to remain in danger while permitting disciples to flee when faced with violence.

-Mike Banker

(Based on Colossians 3, Ephesians 5, 1 Peter 3, 1 Corinthians 6, Matthew 10)