Adultery is sexual sin. To redefine it in an attempt to set aside Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 19:9 is a sophistical effort. While plausible to those looking for comfort in their sin, the argument does not survive close examination.
The idea that only Christians are amenable to the law of Christ is false. Christ has authority over all flesh, and his teaching on the sanctity of the marriage bond is applicable to “whosoever”, inclusive of those who are not Christians.
While we do not deny that the woman is required by God’s law to renounce her bond to the man, and comply with civil law, the claim that she had to initiate the procedure and obtain the civil judgment is a position which cannot be sustained by the scriptures.
