What Does the Bible Say About Divorce and Remarriage?
What does the Bible say about divorce and remarriage? Throughout Scripture, marriage is described as a sacred covenant designed by God to reflect his faithful love for his people. Divorce arises as a concession to human sin, not as part of God’s original design. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible portrays marriage as a lifelong, exclusive union between one man and one woman, bound together under God’s covenant faithfulness (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4–6).
Jesus’ teaching on divorce and remarriage in the Gospels reaffirms this divine ideal. He traces the purpose of marriage back to creation, emphasizing that what God has joined together, no one should separate. Yet, Jesus also acknowledges human failure, granting limited allowance for divorce in cases of sexual immorality. The apostle Paul echoes this principle, urging believers to pursue reconciliation whenever possible and to uphold the sanctity of marriage as a testimony to the Gospel.
1) God’s Design for Marriage
According to the Bible, marriage is not merely a social contract—it is a divine covenant that mirrors the relationship between God and his people. In Genesis 2:24, God establishes the foundational principle: “A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” This “one flesh” union points to intimacy, permanence, and exclusivity.
Key Features of Biblical Marriage:
Monogamous: One man and one woman united for life.
Permanent: Intended to last until death (Romans 7:2).
Covenantal: A binding relationship before God (Malachi 2:14).
Reflective: Symbolizing Christ’s love for the Church (Ephesians 5:25–32).
When Jesus was questioned about divorce, he rooted his answer in God’s original design: “From the beginning it was not so” (Matthew 19:8). In other words, divorce is a symptom of the Fall, not part of creation’s goodness. God’s intention is that marriage remains an enduring, faithful partnership.
2) Divorce in the Old Testament: A Concession to Sin
In the Old Testament, Moses permitted divorce through the issuance of a written certificate (Deuteronomy 24:1–4). This law did not endorse divorce but sought to regulate it—to protect women from abandonment and ensure a measure of justice. The certificate of divorce provided legal recognition that a marriage had ended, but it was given “because of the hardness of your hearts,” as Jesus later explained (Matthew 19:8).
Why Divorce Was Allowed under Moses:
To restrain abuse: It prevented men from discarding their wives carelessly.
To protect the vulnerable: Women, in that context, relied on legal protection for survival.
To expose sin: The permission revealed the brokenness of human relationships, highlighting the need for redemption.
Yet, God’s heart toward divorce never changed. Through the prophet Malachi, God declared, “I hate divorce” (Malachi 2:16). The statement does not condemn every divorced person but expresses divine grief over covenant betrayal. Divorce represents a rupture of what God designed to be permanent—a mirror of his faithful covenant love.
3) Jesus’ Teaching on Divorce and Remarriage
In the New Testament, Jesus reaffirms the sanctity of marriage and restricts the grounds for divorce. In Matthew 19:9, he says, “Whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” This statement reflects two important truths:
Marriage is intended to be lifelong.
Jesus rejects the lax divorce practices of his day, which permitted separation for trivial reasons (see Matthew 19:3).Sexual immorality (fornication) is the only explicit exception.
The Greek term porneia covers a range of sexual sins that violate the marital covenant.
Jesus elevates sexual purity above personal happiness, calling his followers to faithfulness even when relationships are difficult. His standard reflects God’s own fidelity toward his people, who often betrayed him yet were met with mercy and restoration.
Importantly, Jesus’ teaching does not present divorce as an unforgivable sin. Rather, he upholds an ideal while acknowledging human weakness. When repentance and faith are present, God offers forgiveness and renewal, even for those who have failed in marriage.
4) Paul’s Instruction on Marriage, Divorce, and Separation
The apostle Paul builds upon Jesus’ teaching in 1 Corinthians 7, applying it to the complexities of life in the church. His words balance truth and grace, guiding believers who face broken marriages in a fallen world.
Paul’s Key Principles:
Remain if possible: “To the married I give this charge… the wife should not separate from her husband” (1 Corinthians 7:10–11).
If separation occurs: The separated believer should “remain unmarried or be reconciled.”
If an unbelieving spouse leaves: “If the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved” (1 Corinthians 7:15).
These verses recognize two legitimate grounds for divorce: sexual immorality and abandonment by an unbelieving spouse. Even then, divorce is not commanded but permitted as a last resort. Paul’s concern is reconciliation whenever possible, reflecting God’s patience and mercy.
While Scripture leaves some questions open—particularly regarding remarriage after abandonment—the consistent message is faithfulness. The covenant of marriage is meant to endure, and any rupture of that covenant should be treated with gravity and compassion.
5) Divorce, Forgiveness, and the Gospel
Divorce and remarriage touch deep wounds of betrayal, shame, and loss. Yet the Gospel proclaims that no sin lies beyond God’s forgiveness. The cross of Christ reveals that covenant-breaking can be redeemed by the covenant-keeping God. Those who have experienced divorce are not second-class Christians; they stand under the same grace as all who have fallen short (Romans 3:23–24).
The Gospel’s Response to Divorce:
Forgiveness: God restores the repentant heart (Psalm 51:17; 1 John 1:9).
Renewal: The Spirit empowers believers to live faithfully in new circumstances.
Hope: The story of redemption does not end with failure; it ends with reconciliation in Christ.
Just as God remains faithful to his unfaithful people, the church is called to embody mercy toward those who have suffered broken marriages. The covenant faithfulness of God stands as both the model and the hope for all human relationships.
6) Practical Applications for Christians
While divorce is sometimes unavoidable, Scripture encourages every believer to pursue reconciliation whenever possible. Christians should approach marriage, divorce, and remarriage with humility, prayer, and pastoral guidance.
Practical Principles:
Guard the covenant. Marriage is sacred and should not be entered—or ended—lightly.
Seek counsel. Pastoral and biblical guidance is vital before making life-altering decisions.
Pursue forgiveness. Whether sinned against or sinning, forgiveness remains the foundation for healing.
Support others. The church should uphold both truth and grace, standing with those who seek restoration.
Trust God’s sovereignty. Even in brokenness, God can bring good through repentance and faith.
Ultimately, marriage points to the greater reality of Christ’s unbreakable union with his people (Ephesians 5:31–32). That covenant defines the believer’s hope—faithful love that endures forever.
Key Summary Points
Marriage in the Bible is a covenant designed for lifelong faithfulness.
Divorce was permitted in the Old Testament as a concession to sin but never commanded.
Jesus allows divorce only in cases of sexual immorality; Paul adds abandonment by an unbeliever.
Remarriage after divorce should be approached with careful discernment and godly counsel.
Divorce is not the unpardonable sin—God offers forgiveness and renewal through Christ.
The Gospel calls believers to embody covenant faithfulness and grace, reflecting God’s enduring love.
Bible Verses about Divorce and Remarriage
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24)
“For I hate divorce, says the Lord, the God of Israel.” (Malachi 2:16)
“Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.” (Matthew 19:8)
“Whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” (Matthew 19:9)
“What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Mark 10:9)
“To the married I give this charge… the wife should not separate from her husband.” (1 Corinthians 7:10–11)
“If the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved.” (1 Corinthians 7:15)
“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled.” (Hebrews 13:4)
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)
“Love never ends.” (1 Corinthians 13:8)
