Biblical Answer

The Old Testament contains passages that explicitly forbid divorce in some cases (Deut 22:13-21, 28-30). However, in Deuteronomy 24:1-4, Moses makes provision for divorce, indicating that it was allowed in some circumstances. This concession to human frailty was not an expression of God's will, but rather a response to the hardness of human hearts (Matt 19:8-9). Jesus taught that divorce was not God's ideal, but rather a concession to human weakness, and that God hates divorce because it is a form of violence (Mal 2:16).

The Pharisees believed that Moses had commanded divorce, but Jesus corrected them by pointing out that Moses had not commanded it, but rather allowed it as a concession (Matt 19:7-8). Jesus also taught that divorce was not a matter of the will of God, but rather a human failing, and that God's ideal is for marriage to be a lifelong commitment (Matt 19:4-6). In 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, Paul summarizes Jesus' teaching on divorce, stating that it is not permitted, except in cases where the unbelieving spouse initiates it.

The Bible teaches that God hates divorce because it is a form of violence, and that it is not God's ideal for marriage (Mal 2:16). While God allows divorce in some circumstances, it is not a matter of the will of God, but rather a concession to human weakness. Jesus taught that God instituted marriage so that the two should become one, and that divorce is not a legitimate way to end a marriage (Matt 19:4-6). Christians should strive to maintain lifelong marriage, and divorce should only be considered in cases where it is initiated by an unbelieving spouse. Even in such cases, Christians should not initiate divorce themselves, but rather seek to maintain the marriage.