Understanding Scripture's teaching on divorce, remarriage, and God's heart for marriage
The Bible teaches that God designed marriage to be lifelong (Matthew 19:6), but Scripture acknowledges divorce in certain circumstances. Jesus permits divorce for sexual immorality (Matthew 19:9), and Paul allows separation when an unbelieving spouse abandons the marriage (1 Corinthians 7:15). While God "hates divorce" (Malachi 2:16), He offers grace and restoration to those who have experienced it.
Understanding God's intention for marriage provides context for biblical teaching on divorce.
"He answered, "Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.""
— Matthew 19:4-6 (ESV)
""For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the LORD, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the LORD of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.""
— Malachi 2:16 (ESV)
What Scripture teaches about when divorce may be permitted.
"And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery."
— Matthew 19:9 (ESV)
"But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace."
— 1 Corinthians 7:15 (ESV)
"But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery."
— Matthew 5:32 (ESV)
Biblical teaching on remarriage and God's grace for those who have experienced divorce.
"Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned."
— 1 Corinthians 7:27-28 (ESV)
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
— Romans 8:1 (ESV)
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