What Does the Bible Say About Divorce and Remarriage?
Divorce and remarriage in the Bible have, for many generations, been a strong issue of debate among believers. But we can all agree that from the beginning that God designed marriage to be an everlasting covenant. Matthew 19:7-8 is one of the many Bible verses for marriage that underscores this truth.
The story recounts an incident where the Pharisees asked Jesus why Moses permitted the Israelites to give a writing of divorce to their wives. Knowing their ill intention, the Lord Jesus replied:
Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning, it has not been so. (Matthew 19:8)
The message here is direct and clear. But besides this text, what does the Bible say about divorce and remarriage in other portions of God’s Word? Proper word study demands that we diligently examine, contrast, and harmonize as many verses as possible before arriving at any conclusion.
Are there instances where God may turn the other way and allow an everlasting covenant to break? Let’s find out directly from the scriptures.
Biblical Significance of Marriage
In Christian belief, marriage is a sacred covenant with a divine purpose. We can trace its significance to the beginning — the story of Adam and Eve. In Genesis 1:26-28, we see God create the first people in His image and give them the divine mandate to multiply and fill the earth.
Even the New Testament echoes this sacred bond. In Matthew 19:5, Jesus clarified, “For this cause, a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?”
This verse not only emphasizes the need for unity between two people interested in being married but also the sacrifices they must make by leaving their families behind.
The Biblical perspective on marriage, and even divorce, goes against the typical “me” approach that is so common in our world today. Across its many chapters, the Bible reminds us that the commitment of marriage goes beyond personal desires and self-centeredness but is a contractual agreement and covenant before God.
While we acknowledge that this is true, we must also recognize that there are instances where the Bible permits the union to break. In the next section, we will consider the question, what does the Bible say about divorce?
What Does the Bible Say About Divorce?
To understand the concept of divorce in the Bible, we must first know that the Bible consists of two sections that we must read harmoniously. Here, we will pull out specific Bible verses about divorce and explain their implication on marriages.
First, we will start with the Old Testament.
Divorce in the Bible (Old Testament)
Much of what we know about divorce in the Old Testament comes from the Book of Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy 24:1-4 is one Bible verse about divorce that can help us understand the biblical stance on the matter.
When a man takes a wife and marries her, then it shall be, if she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some unseemly thing in her, that he shall write her a certificate of divorce, put it in her hand, and send her out of his house. When she has departed out of his house, she may go and be another man’s wife. If the latter husband hates her, and write her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand, and sends her out of his house; or if the latter husband dies, who took her to be his wife; her former husband, who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife after she is defiled; for that would be an abomination to Yahweh. You shall not cause the land to sin, which Yahweh your God gives you for an inheritance. Deuteronomy 24:1-4
From this Bible text, we see that the Old Testament principles of divorce were very simplistic, in that once a man finds something unpleasant in his wife, he could write her a divorce certificate and send her away.
But in Malachi 2:16, the Scripture indicates that God hates divorce. So, while divorce was permissible under the Old Testament, it wasn’t encouraged.
Now, let us look at divorce in the Bible from the angle of the New Testament.
Divorce in the Bible (New Testament)
As highlighted earlier, the issue of divorce was a point of contention between Jesus and the Pharisees, who sought to test Him in the New Testament. In many Gospel accounts, the Pharisees approached Jesus, questioning the validity of divorcing one’s spouse for any reason.
Their intention was clear – to trap Him in a debate about the Mosaic law on divorce.
However, Jesus sidestepped their trap and redirected the conversation to the fundamental principle of marriage. In His teaching, which we now know as the popular ‘Sermon on the Mount,’ He emphasized that unfaithfulness is the only acceptable ground for divorce. He further insisted that the husband give the woman a divorce certificate just to be fair to them as well.
Later, Jesus criticized the Pharisees for taking advantage of these loopholes to do away with their wives. This rebuke in Luke 16 sets the stage for the Pharisees’ deliberate questioning about divorce in Matthew 19:7.
They asked him, “Why then did Moses command us to give her a certificate of divorce and divorce her?” (Matthew 19:7)
In response to their question, Jesus did not directly address divorce but, instead, focused on God’s original intent for marriage. Quoting the book of Genesis, Jesus underscored the unity of husband and wife, emphasizing that no man should separate what God joins. (Matthew 19:1-12 and Mark 10:1-12)
Challenged by the Pharisees about Moses allowing divorce, Jesus had to clarify that it was a concession due to the hardness of human hearts, not a divine command. The Lord Jesus stressed that divorce was never part of God’s original plan, and its allowance in the Mosaic law was a response to human sinfulness.
Jesus further proclaimed His authority by starting His comment on the principle of marriage with the words, “And I say to you.” By saying this, He made it very clear to His audience that He was speaking from a place of divine authority.
Further, He narrowed down the acceptable reason for divorce to adultery and condemned the common practice at the time of divorcing women without giving them a divorce certificate, thus leaving the affected women vulnerable and unable to remarry.
This clarification in Mark 10 underscored the distinction between ‘apoluo-divorce’ (sending away without a legal divorce certificate) and ‘apostasion-divorce’ (legally recognized divorce). Jesus condemned the Pharisees’ abusive exploitation of the former, stating that anyone entering a relationship with an ‘apoluo-divorced’ woman commits adultery.
Finally, Jesus’s teachings on divorce show us how sacred the covenant of marriage is. He further discouraged divorce because it goes against the original design. Also, we can say that His teachings challenged the societal norms of that time, as He was a popular advocate for fairness, especially for women.
What Are the Grounds for Divorce In the Bible?
As noted earlier, God’s original plan was that marriages last through a couple’s lifetime. But our Father God understands that we are human, living in a fallen world, and are prone to making mistakes. So, God made provisions for exceptions for divorce in the Bible, and we will explore them here.
The New Testament provides two clear grounds for divorce — sexual sin and desertion by an unbelieving spouse.
Regarding the first ground, Jesus uses the term “porneia” to cover various sexual sins, which can violate the sanctity and intimacy of marriage. The faithful partner, having exhausted efforts to bring the sinning spouse to repentance, may be granted release through divorce.
The second ground, stated by the Apostle Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians, deals with cases where an unbelieving spouse desires to end the relationship.
The woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he is content to live with her, let her not leave her husband. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. Yet if the unbeliever departs, let there be separation. The brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us in peace. (I Corinthians 7:13-15)
In such instances, divorce is not only allowed but may be preferable to maintain peace. Any attempts to force the unbeliever to stay may escalate existing tension and conflict, which is contrary to God’s call to peace.
These Biblical grounds show us how serious divorce is and, at the same time, highlight the instances where it may be allowed. We must understand that divorce is not a casual option but is required only for serious moral reasons.
What Does Jesus Say About Divorce?
Amid all the questioning and controversy in the Bible surrounding the concept of divorce, Jesus’ teaching about the matter clears the air in many regards. In Mark 10:8, He describes the union between a man and his wife as “one flesh.”
In a private discussion with His disciples, Jesus later explained that marriage is intended to be an everlasting bond between a couple, and breaking this bond to marry someone else is adultery. We can see more of this in Mark 10:11-12.
However, although Jesus strongly affirmed the permanence of marriage, He also acknowledged that due to human flaws, there are situations where the marriage bond may broken. We can call this the exception clause. Matthew 19:9 is one Scripture on divorce that indicates such an exception. It reads:
I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery, and he who marries her when she is divorced commits adultery.
Jesus’ disciples, feeling the weight of this standard, asked Jesus if it is better not to marry in Matthew 19:10. To this, the Lord Jesus responds, acknowledging that not all have the gift of celibacy and further hammering on God’s original plan for marriage.
In Jesus’ teachings, He upholds a high standard that some argue was even stricter than what was obtainable at that time. When asked about divorce and remarriage in the Bible, Jesus took them back to the Old Testament, which contains God’s original design for marriage, in that a man will leave his parents and be united with his wife in an unbroken union.
The interpretation of the Mosaic law of divorce at the time, which allowed a man to divorce his wife when he was displeased, was that it had replaced God’s initial intention that marriage be a lifetime commitment. But Jesus came to clear things up by teaching that the laws of Moses were not to replace God’s intention.
Instead, the laws came as a result of the hardness of the human heart. So, while marriage is intended to be a timeless, faithful union, Jesus recognized that sometimes things can go wrong, and that is where divorce and remarriage come into play.
Remarriage in the Bible
Divorce and remarriage in the Bible are two sensitive topics we must carefully approach. The safest way to address the question of remarriage after a divorce is to seek answers from the Word of God.
According to Jesus, a Christian who undergoes a divorce due to immorality is allowed to remarry without committing adultery (Matthew 19:9). The key condition is that the divorce is grounded in genuine and proven Biblical reasons.
Apostle Paul emphasizes the permanence of marriage in his teachings. However, he also acknowledges that a believing partner has the option to separate if abandoned by an unbelieving spouse (I Corinthians 7:13-15).
In such cases, Paul suggests that the marriage no longer binds the abandoned believer, implying the possibility of remarriage. Although Paul doesn’t explicitly address remarriage, we can infer that it is permitted once the marriage bond is broken.
In summary, the Bible discourages divorce and promotes reconciliation and forgiveness instead. However, it acknowledges the reality of divorce among believers.
Remarriage is explicitly permitted after a Biblical divorce for adultery, and it may be implied in cases of abandonment by an unbelieving spouse.
The Bible further stresses that God’s love remains unwavering, even for those who have experienced divorce and remarriage. However, it highlights the seriousness of divorcing for reasons other than Biblical grounds, considering such an act as sinful.
The call to repentance and seeking reconciliation is central, with Paul advising those who divorce sinfully to remain unmarried or pursue reconciliation (I Corinthians 7:10-11, Romans 7:3).
The Bible further cautions those considering marrying a divorcee. If the divorce was for less serious reasons, and reconciliation is possible between the divorced spouses, marrying the divorcee is considered adultery. The purpose of Biblical divorce, as outlined in the scriptures, is to free the wronged or abandoned party and allow them to possibly remarry.
In 1 Corinthians 7:10–11, Paul advises that marriage should be preserved, and remarriage is discouraged if separation occurs. So, the biblical stance is clear — avoid divorce, and if it happens, do not remarry unless the circumstances meet the criteria in the scriptures.
Divorce and Remarriage Bible Verses: Interpretations Across Christian Denominations
The interpretations of divorce and remarriage Bible verses vary among different denominations of Christianity. Below, we briefly examine the beliefs of some major denominations concerning divorce and remarriage in the Bible.
Protestantism
Protestant churches generally discourage divorce but may permit it where the marriage has broken down irretrievably. Protestantism may even allow remarriage in certain cases, depending on the particular church’s doctrines.
Catholicism
The Catholic church frowns on divorce but may permit an annulment in specific circumstances. However, the Catholic church has different opinions on this matter. Some say that the church strictly prohibits divorce, while others argue that divorcees can still be in good standing with the church as long as they don’t remarry.
Mormonism
Just like Protestantism, Mormonism disapproves of divorce but permits it under conditions beyond what the church can remedy. Here, couples may obtain a “cancellation of sealing,” which officially acknowledges the marriage’s end in the church’s eyes.
The Eastern Orthodox Church
The Eastern Orthodox Church recognizes that the need for divorce may arise in special circumstances. In these instances, it can permit the affected divorcees to remarry.
So, while divorce is allowed in this denomination, the rules are pretty tough because the church views marriage as “indissoluble.” It only permits remarriage as an act of compassion to the affected individuals.
The Church of England
The Church of England held a firm stance against divorce for many centuries. But since 2002, this position has softened, and the ban on remarrying divorcees while their divorced spouses are still alive has been lifted in circumstances approved by the church.
This policy shift allowed King Charles to marry Camilla Parker Bowles, marking a change in the church’s stance on remarriage.
Reformed Churches
The Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF), the adopted doctrine of the Presbyterian church, allows for divorce in cases of adultery or abandonment. The Reformed Church in America has emphasized its desire to provide support during the difficult period after a divorce and assist in the efforts towards any subsequent remarriage.
Methodist Churches
Traditional Methodist views, rooted in its ‘Book of Discipline,’ permit divorce only in cases of adultery. Where a divorce happens due to any other reason apart from adultery, no minister within the church is allowed to solemnize any subsequent remarriage.
However, in these modern times, there are now different opinions and doctrines on divorce and remarriage within the Methodist Christian community.
LDS Church (Mormons)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints discourages divorce, encouraging members to first resolve their marital issues before considering annulment or divorce. Like other denominations, the LDS church makes an exception for infidelity or other serious cases.
Practical Guidance for Believers
Much has been said about the concept of divorce and remarriage in the Bible. But above all, the Bible extends a message of love and acceptance for all people.
Unlike the popular misinterpretation, a divorce does not reduce God’s love for His children.
The Biblical principles of an unbreakable union seen in the Bible verses for marriage above do not also mean that Christians should stay in abusive marriages. God understands that circumstances are different and allows individuals to walk away from situations that do not align with His nature of love and peace (Matthew 19:9- 10, I Corinthians 7:13-15).
So, while the scriptures acknowledge the painful reality of divorce, they offer a clear path to healing, restoration, and a fresh start, where necessary. But where we can save the situation, we should, as God’s children, work towards upholding love, forgiveness, and reconciliation within marriage.
We have explained the Bible’s position on marriage, divorce, and remarriage. Now, we must ensure our lives match God’s design, and while it is not an easy journey, we can only ask for grace.
We also pray that the Biblical principles we discussed above will guide us to a deeper understanding of God’s plan for marriage. Hopefully, it will also offer hope to persons seeking to build and rebuild their love lives in accordance with God’s word.
