Letter 217

Isidore of PelusiumUnknown|isidore pelusium
From: Isidore of Pelusium, monk at Pelusium
To: Neidus
Date: ~410 AD
Context: Isidore explains Matthew 19:6 — "What God has joined together, let no one separate" — clarifying that this applies equally to husband and wife.

On "What God has joined together, let no one separate" [Matthew 19:6].

This was said of the man and the woman joined in marriage — of both equally. It is not an instruction addressed only to the wife, as though only she might be tempted to dissolve the bond. It is addressed to both, and to everyone around them who might otherwise encourage or facilitate a separation.

The bond of marriage is not a human convention that can be dissolved by human agreement. It is joined by God, which is why it cannot be unjoined by the parties or by anyone else. This sets a high standard — and the Lord knew it would seem demanding [Matthew 19:10]. He maintained it anyway.

Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.