Nwt Mary

Nwt Mary

Why was Joseph said to be righteous for intending to conceal what he believed was a serious sin by Mary?

Matthew 1:18, 19:
"18 But the birth of Jesus Christ was in this way. During the time his mother Mary was promised in marriage to Joseph, she was found to be pregnant by holy spirit before they were united. 19 However, Joseph her husband, because he was righteous and did not want to make her a public spectacle, intended to divorce her secretly. " (NWT)

Was it wrong to report a case of fornication?
Was he condoning serious sin by not reporting it?

No it's not wrong to report a case of fornication, actually it was the law.
This account is so interesting.

First it says she was "promised in marriage to Joseph", then it calls him "her husband"... So she wasn't even married yet.

If he had told on her, she could have been killed. But he decided to marry her, THEN divorce her. Thats why the angel came in a dream to reassure him... And he changed his mind after that. BUT refused to have sex with her till she gave birth.

It's interesting, this had never happened before, just like so many things promised us today, just like Noah preaching as he was building the ark and it had never rained before. Joseph most likely NEVER fully understood the whole situation.

As it was told, most of Jesus family didn't believe he was the Messiah, we know his mother finally did and for sure his half/brother (by Joseph) JAMES did considering he wrote so beautifully about faith and works and was obviously a follower of Christ.

Joseph was considered to be righteous because without understanding the full situation he followed what he was told,
FROM FAITH...

"THE assured expectation of things hope for, the evident demonstration of realities though not beheld"

He was NOT condoning serious sin, by not reporting it, he was showing love and faith buy following the "thing heard"

Here it is in context by the way.

Matthew 1:18 But the birth of Jesus Christ was in this way. During the time his mother Mary was promised in marriage to Joseph, she was found to be pregnant by holy spirit before they were united. 19 However, Joseph her husband, because he was righteous and did not want to make her a public spectacle, intended to divorce her secretly. 20 But after he had thought these things over, look! Jehovah’s angel appeared to him in a dream, saying: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife home, for that which has been begotten in her is by holy spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you must call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this actually came about for that to be fulfilled which was spoken by Jehovah through his prophet, saying: 23 “Look! The virgin will become pregnant and will give birth to a son, and they will call his name Im·man´u·el,” which means, when translated, “With Us Is God.”

24 Then Joseph woke up from his sleep and did as the angel of Jehovah had directed him, and he took his wife home. 25 But he had no intercourse with her until she gave birth to a son; and he called his name Jesus. "

Douay Rheims Bible