{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/009/0090496.htm","path":"chr/ecf/009/0090496.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/009/0090496.htm","text":"23. Some Laws Given by Concession to Human Weakness.\nBut, even if we have seemed to touch on things too deep for our capacity in the passages, nevertheless, because of the literal expression these things must further be said, that some of the laws were written not as excellent, but as by way of accommodation to the weakness of those to whom the law was given; for something of this kind is indicated in the words, \u201cMoses for your hardness of heart suffered you to put away your wives;\u201d 6221 but that which is pre-eminent and superior to the law, which was written for their hardness of heart, is indicated in this, \u201cBut from the beginning it hath not been so.\u201d But in the new covenant also there are some legal injunctions of the same order as, \u201cMoses for your hardness of heart suffered you to put away your wives;\u201d for example, because of our hardness of heart, it has been written on account of our weakness, \u201cBut because of fornications, let each man have his own wife and let each woman have her own husband;\u201d 6222 and this, \u201cLet the husband render unto the wife her due, and likewise also the wife unto the husband.\u201d 6223 To these sayings it is accordingly subjoined, \u201cBut this I say by way of permission, not of commandment.\u201d 6224 But this also, \u201cA wife is bound for so long time as her husband liveth, but if her husband be dead, she is free to be married to whom she will, only in the Lord,\u201d 6225 was said by Paul in view of our hardness of heart and weakness, to those who do not wish to desire earnestly the greater gifts 6226 and become more blessed. But now contrary to what was written, some even of the rulers of the church have permitted a woman to marry, even when her husband was living, doing contrary to what was written, where it is said, \u201cA wife is bound for so long time as her husband liveth,\u201d and \u201cSo then if while her husband liveth, she shall be joined to another man she shall be called an adulteress,\u201d 6227 not indeed altogether without reason, for it is probable this concession was permitted in comparison with worse things, contrary to what was from the beginning ordained by law, and written.","title":"Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol IX: Origen's Commentary on the G...","type":"page"}