En 1983, La Tour de Garde a limité le terme grec rendu par ‘fornication’ à une conduite en dehors du mariage, de sorte que le fait pour un conjoint d’imposer de tels actes à l’intérieur du mariage ne donnait plus à l’autre un motif de divorce conforme aux Écritures, tout en ajoutant que le fait de les pratiquer ou de les prôner ouvertement pouvait encore conduire à une exclusion à d’autres titres.

The Watchtower, “Honor Godly Marriage!”

15 mars 1983 · p.31 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society

“Thus, a mate’s enforcing perverted acts, such as oral or anal sex, within the marriage would not constitute a Scriptural basis for a divorce that would free either for remarriage. … However, if it becomes known that a member of the congregation is practicing or openly advocating perverted sex relations within the marriage bond, that one certainly would not be irreprehensible, and so would not be acceptable for special privileges … Such practice and advocacy could even lead to expulsion from the congregation.”

The article redefines the Greek term rendered ‘fornication’ as covering conduct outside the marriage only, which removes the divorce route the 1974 answer had opened to a wife subjected to such acts against her will. It then reintroduces the possibility of expulsion, not as ‘fornication’ but under the separate headings of ‘uncleanness’ and ‘loose conduct’ at Galatians 5:19-21.

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