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As you consider the astonishing answer that Jerome gave about this woman named Fabiola, perhaps the only question that comes to your mind is, “What in the world was he thinking? What could possibly have been his motivation for giving such an outlandish answer as the one that he gave?” It’s a good question, a question that we really ought to consider before proceeding with this discussion. What was Jerome thinking? What were his thoughts about this woman? What were his thoughts about God and His Word? And finally, what were his thoughts about himself and his own responsibility in how he responded to this question? Let’s begin by looking at this final question. What was Jerome’s personal responsibility in the answer that he gave about Fabiola? Jerome, as an ardent student of the Word of God, knew that he was in a critical position as a church leader. He knew, based on Hebrews 13:17, that he had a responsibility to watch for this woman’s soul. He also knew from this same verse that he would some day give an account for the counsel he gave about her. And finally, this same verse told him that there was a distinct possibility that the day he gave account would be a day filled with grief rather than with joy. Jerome also knew, based on 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, that adulterers (and adulteresses) would not inherit the kingdom of God. Therefore, if this woman were in a relationship that God considered adultery, she would have her part in the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8) unless she could somehow be set free from her sin and its consequences. Finally, Jerome knew everything recorded in Scripture that Christ and the apostles had taught about marriage, divorce, and remarriage. And based on this knowledge, Jerome had determined that the only way for this woman to obtain eternal life was through the action he had prescribed: separation followed by a celibate life. So what were these things that Christ had taught? What were the things that the apostles had taught? What were the passages of Scripture that had motivated Jerome to prescribe the extreme action that he did? These questions, among others, we will attempt to answer in the following chapters.

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