Biblical Answer

The Biblical View of Divorce and Remarriage

The Bible teaches that divorce is not the ideal, but it can be permissible under certain circumstances. In Matthew 19:3-9, Jesus teaches that marriage is a lifelong commitment between one man and one woman. However, in Matthew 19:9, Jesus also says that if a man divorces his wife and marries another woman, he commits adultery. This implies that remarriage after divorce is not allowed, unless the divorce is initiated by an unbelieving spouse.

The Role of the Unbelieving Spouse

In 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, Paul teaches that if an unbelieving spouse initiates divorce, the believing spouse is not guilty of sin. This implies that the believing spouse may accept the divorce and remarry, but only if the divorce is initiated by the unbelieving spouse. However, this does not mean that the believing spouse can initiate divorce themselves. In fact, Paul teaches that Christians should not divorce, even if their unbelieving spouse initiates it (1 Corinthians 7:12-16).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Bible teaches that divorce and remarriage are complex issues that require careful consideration. While divorce is not the ideal, it can be permissible under certain circumstances, such as when an unbelieving spouse initiates it. However, Christians should not initiate divorce themselves, and should not remarry as soon as the divorce papers are finalized. Rather, they should seek to resolve emotional and spiritual conflicts in their marriage, and only consider remarriage if they are certain that their marriage is irreconcilable. Ultimately, the goal is to reflect the values of Jesus and the teachings of the Bible in all aspects of life, including marriage and divorce.