Biblical Answer

The Biblical Teaching on Divorce

The Bible teaches that marriage is a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman (Matthew 19:4-6). Divorce is viewed as a reversal of God's original intent, which was for marriage to be permanent (Matthew 19:3-9). Jesus taught that divorce is only permissible in cases of unchastity, where one spouse has committed adultery (Matthew 5:31-32, 19:3-9). This exception is often referred to as the "Matthean exception."

The Bible also acknowledges that, in practice, divorce has occurred throughout history. Moses permitted divorce in certain circumstances (Deuteronomy 22:13-21, 28-30), and Jesus and Paul recognized that the ideal of lifelong marriage was not always met. However, even in these cases, the Bible sets up restrictions and safeguards to protect the rights and dignity of all parties involved. For example, Jesus taught that a person who divorces their spouse and remarries is committing adultery, unless the divorce was due to unchastity (Matthew 5:32, 19:9).

In the New Testament, Paul affirms Jesus' teaching on divorce and remarriage, emphasizing that divorce is forbidden and remarriage after divorce is not allowed (1 Corinthians 7:10-16). Paul also acknowledges that Christians may accept divorce if initiated by an unbelieving spouse (1 Corinthians 7:15). However, he makes it clear that God never allows Christians to initiate divorce themselves, even in cases of unchastity (1 Corinthians 7:10-11). Ultimately, the Bible teaches that divorce is a tragic and difficult option, but it can be a necessary consequence of sin and failure to follow God's directives.