What does the Bible say about divorce and remarriage? | GotQuestions.org

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In today's video I'll answer your question, what does the Bible say about divorce and remarriage?

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Then afterwards, as always, I'll share some helpful resources, so stick around until the end.

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First of all, no matter what view one takes on the issue of divorce, it is important to remember

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Malachi 2 verse 16, "'I hate divorce,' says the Lord God of Israel."

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According to the Bible, marriage is a lifetime commitment, so they are no longer two but one.

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Therefore, what God has joined together, let man not separate, Matthew 19 verse 6.

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God realizes, though, that marriages involve two sinful human beings and that divorces are going to occur.

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In the Old Testament, He laid down some laws to protect the rights of divorcees in Deuteronomy chapter 24 verses 1 -4.

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Jesus pointed out that these laws were given because of the hardness of people's hearts, not because such laws were

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God's desire, Matthew 19 verse 8. The issue of remarriage after a divorce is addressed directly in 1

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Corinthians 7 verses 10 -11, "'To the married I give this command, not

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I, but the Lord, a wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband.

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And a husband must not divorce his wife.'" So, the biblical rule is that there should be no divorce, and if a divorce does occur, no remarriage.

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We have two possible exceptions to this foundational principle, one of which Paul addresses in the same context.

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A believer abandoned by an unbelieving spouse is not bound, 1 Corinthians 7 verse 15.

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And Jesus says, "'Except for sexual immorality' in Matthew 5 verse 32 and in chapter 19 verse 9.

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So, depending on the exact meaning of bound and sexual immorality, there may be some cases in which remarriage is allowable after divorce.

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In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul's argument for the unbound condition of the believing spouse is based on who leaves.

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It is the unbeliever who abandons the marriage, and the believer is an innocent party.

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Taking a closer look at Jesus' words in Matthew 5 verse 32 and 19 verse 9, the phrase "'except for sexual immorality' possibly gives

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God's permission for divorce and remarriage. Many interpreters understand this exception clause in Matthew as referring to marital unfaithfulness during the betrothal period.

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In Jewish custom, a man and a woman were considered married, even while they were still engaged or betrothed.

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According to this view, immorality during this betrothal period would be the only valid reason for a divorce.

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However, the Greek word translated sexual immorality is a general word that can mean any form of sexual sin.

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It can refer to fornication, prostitution, adultery, etc. Jesus is possibly saying that divorce is permissible if sexual immorality is committed.

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Sexual relations are an integral part of the marital bond. The two will become one flesh.

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Genesis 2 verse 24, Matthew 19 verse 5, and Ephesians 5 verse 31.

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Therefore, any breaking of that bond by sexual relations outside of marriage might be a permissible reason for divorce.

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Jesus' teaching seems to be that adultery unties the marriage knot, but the allowance of remarriage is not explicit.

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In Matthew chapter 5 verse 32, the assumption is that the woman who is divorced will remarry, and Jesus seems to say that unless her first marriage was dissolved by adultery on her husband's part, her second marriage will make her an adulteress.

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Jesus also has remarriage in mind in Matthew chapter 19 verse 9. In both passages, divorce and remarriage seem to be allowed in the circumstance covered by the exception clause, whatever that is interpreted to be.

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It is important to note that only the innocent party is allowed to remarry. Although not stated in the text, it would seem the allowance for remarriage after divorce is

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God's mercy for the one who was sinned against, not for the one who committed a sexual immorality.

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There may be instances where the guilty party is allowed to remarry, but they are not evident in this text.

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First Corinthians chapter 7 verse 15 may be another biblical exception allowing remarriage if an unbelieving spouse divorces a believer.

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The verse says, But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances.

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God has called us to live in peace. The text is clear that if an unbelieving spouse leaves a believer, the believer is free to accept the separation and move on with life.

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He or she is not bound, indicating full liberty. The Amplified Bible translates the statement as the remaining brother or sister is not spiritually or morally bound.

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The believing spouse can work for reconciliation, 1 Corinthians chapter 7 verse 11, but he or she is not obligated to remain in the marriage.

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If desertion dissolves a marriage, then is remarriage permitted? The context of 1

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Corinthians chapter 7 verse 15 does not mention remarriage, except in verse 11, which says a divorced person cannot remarry.

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But if the believing husband or wife is no longer bound to the other, verse 15, then it is reasonable to assume that remarriage is allowed.

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It seems in verse 15 Paul is given an exception to the rule of verse 11. Some also claim that abuse, spousal or child, is a valid reason for divorce, even though it is not listed as such in the

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Bible. While this may very well be the case, it is never wise to presume upon the

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Word of God. In cases of abuse, a separation is definitely in order and should occur immediately.

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Sometimes lost in the debate over the exception clause is the fact that whatever sexual immorality means in Matthew 5 and 19, it is an allowance for divorce, not a requirement for it.

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Even when adultery is committed, a couple can, through God's grace, learn to forgive and begin rebuilding their marriage.

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God has forgiven us of so much more. Surely, we can follow His example and even forgive the sin of adultery.

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However, in many instances, a spouse is unrepentant and continues the immoral behavior.

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That is when Matthew 19 verse 9 applies. Looking too quickly to remarry after an allowable divorce can also cause problems.

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It might be God's desire for the divorced person to remain single, even if he or she can biblically remarry.

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God sometimes calls people to be single, so their attention is not divided. Remarriage after a divorce may be an option in some circumstances, but that does not mean it is the only option.

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In summary, the Bible makes it clear that God hates divorce and that reconciliation and forgiveness should mark a believer's life.

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However, God recognizes that divorce will occur, even among His children.

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A divorced and or remarried believer should not feel any less loved by God, even if the divorce and or remarriage is not covered under the possible exception clause of Matthew 5 verse 32 and chapter 19 verse 9.

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Want to learn more? Subscribe so you don't miss the next video! Visit GotQuestions .org for more great content. And check out the details section below this video, there you'll find one book

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I recommend, along with links to several related questions. If you'd like to learn about Bible Munch, or if you're interested in Bite -sized devotionals, subscribe to Bible Munch on YouTube, it's linked right here.