Biblical Answer

The Bible's Teaching on Divorce

The Bible's teaching on divorce is complex and multifaceted. Jesus' teaching on divorce is clear: God's original intent was permanence in marriage, and divorce is only permissible when a spouse has committed adultery (Matthew 5:31-32, 19:3-9). However, this teaching is not without exceptions. In Matthew 19:3-9, Jesus quotes Genesis 2:24, which states that a man and a woman become one flesh in marriage. This implies a lifelong commitment between two people. When a spouse commits adultery, the marriage bond is broken, and divorce becomes a possibility.

The Old Testament Context

The Old Testament also has teachings on divorce. In Deuteronomy 22:13-21, 28-30, Moses explicitly forbids divorce in certain cases, such as when a man marries a woman who is not a virgin. However, the ideal of permanence in marriage was not always met in ancient Israel, and Moses recognized this. He set up restrictions and safeguards to protect the rights of women and children in cases of divorce. Similarly, in the New Testament, Paul affirms Jesus' teaching on divorce and remarriage, and warns that Christians who divorce and remarry are living in sin (Romans 7:1-3).

The New Testament Teaching

In the New Testament, Jesus and Paul both teach that divorce is only permissible when a spouse has committed adultery. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. In 1 Corinthians 7:15, Paul states that a Christian may accept a divorce initiated by an unbelieving spouse. This exception is likely due to the fact that an unbelieving spouse may not be willing to live with a Christian spouse, and divorce may be the only option. However, God never allows Christians to initiate divorce themselves, even in cases of unfaithfulness (Matthew 5:31-32, 19:3-9). Overall, the Bible teaches that divorce is a tragic and difficult option, but it can be a possibility in certain cases, such as when a spouse commits adultery.