Biblical Divorce and Remarriage

Divorce and Remarriage – Introduction

Marriage, in the biblical context, is a sacred covenant instituted by God, designed to be a lifelong union between one man and one woman. Some Christian teachings hold that this covenant is permanent and that divorce, while acknowledged in human legal systems, does not dissolve the spiritual bond of marriage in God’s eyes. This study will examine key Scriptures to understand this perspective, address common questions, and apply these truths to our lives.

Forbes records: In the USA, the percentage of marriages ending in divorce varies significantly based on the type of marriage:

• 43% of first marriages end in divorce¹.
• 60% of second marriages end in divorce³.
• 73% of third marriages end in divorce³

Key Scriptures

• Genesis 2:18-24 – God’s Design for Marriage
  “The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’ … So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, ‘This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called “woman,” for she was taken out of man.’ That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”
  • Marriage is God’s creation, uniting two people into “one flesh,” a bond meant to be inseparable.
• Malachi 2:13-16 – God Hates Divorce
  “Another thing you do: You flood the Lord’s altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer looks with favor on your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. You ask, ‘Why?’ It is because the Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant. Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth. ‘The man who hates and divorces his wife,’ says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘does violence to the one he should protect,’ says the Lord Almighty. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful.”
  • God views marriage as a covenant and despises divorce, which violates the commitment to protect and cherish one’s spouse.
• Matthew 19:3-9 – Jesus on Divorce
  “Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?’ ‘Haven’t you read,’ he replied, ‘that at the beginning the Creator “made them male and female,” and said, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh”? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.’ ‘Why then,’ they asked, ‘did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?’ Jesus replied, ‘Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.’”
  • Jesus affirms the permanence of marriage, stating that God joins spouses together and that divorce (except in cases of sexual immorality) leads to adultery upon remarriage, implying the original marriage bond remains intact in God’s eyes.
• Mark 10:2-12 – No Exception Clause
  “Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?’ ‘What did Moses command you?’  ( Deut 24 “When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens that she ^[a]loses his favor because he has found something indecent or unacceptable about her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house, ² and after she leaves his house, she goes and becomes another man’s wife, ³ and if the latter husband ^[b]turns against her and writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand, and sends her out of his house, or if the latter husband dies who took her as his wife, ⁴ then her former husband who [first] sent her away may not take her again as his wife, since she has been defiled; for that is an outrage before the Lord, and you shall not bring sin on the land which the Lord your God gives you as an inheritance.)
• he replied. They said, ‘Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.’ ‘It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,’ Jesus replied. ‘But at the beginning of creation God “made them male and female.” For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.’ When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. He answered, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.’”
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  • In Mark’s account, Jesus does not mention an exception for sexual immorality, reinforcing the absolute permanence of the marriage bond.
• Romans 7:2-3 – Marriage as a Lifelong Bond
  “For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law that binds her to him. So then, if she has sexual relations with another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.”
  • Paul teaches that marriage binds spouses for life, and remarriage while a spouse is alive constitutes adultery, suggesting God’s view of the marriage covenant as enduring until death.
• 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 – Paul’s Instruction on Separation
  “To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.”
  • Paul, under divine inspiration, instructs that separation may occur but remarriage is not permitted, emphasizing reconciliation or remaining single to honor the marriage covenant.

Thoughts on How does 1 Cor 7:15 But if the unbelieving spouse depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases, for God hath called us to peace. apply to Christian divorce

1 Corinthians 7:15 has been a topic of much discussion regarding Christian divorce. The verse suggests that if an unbelieving spouse chooses to leave, the believing spouse is “not under bondage” in such cases, meaning they are not obligated to force the marriage to continue. However, interpretations vary on whether this means the believer is free to remarry.

Some scholars argue that “not under bondage” refers to freedom from the marital bond, allowing remarriage

2. Others believe it simply means the believer is not required to fight to keep the marriage intact but is still bound by Jesus’ teaching that only adultery permits remarriage. The phrase does not explicitly grant permission for remarriage, and many theologians caution against reading it as an additional reason for divorce beyond what Jesus taught.

Ultimately, the application of this verse depends on one’s theological perspective and church doctrine.

The Bible addresses divorce in several passages, offering guidance on marriage, separation, and reconciliation. Here are some key scriptures:

• Genesis 2:24 – “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” This verse establishes the foundation of marriage as a lifelong union.
• Malachi 2:16 – “For I hate divorce, says the Lord, the God of Israel.” This passage expresses God’s displeasure with divorce, emphasizing the importance of marital commitment.
• Matthew 19:6 – “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” Jesus reinforces the sacred nature of marriage.
• Matthew 19:9 – Jesus states that divorce is permissible only in cases of sexual immorality, warning that remarriage after an unjustified divorce leads to adultery.
• Mark 10:9 – “Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Another affirmation of the permanence of marriage.
• 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 – Paul advises that a wife should not separate from her husband, but if she does, she must remain unmarried or be reconciled.
• Deuteronomy 24:1-4 – Provides Old Testament regulations on divorce, allowing it under certain conditions but restricting remarriage in specific cases.

What does DEATH mean in the Bible?

In the Bible, death is often understood as a form of separation rather than mere cessation of existence. There are three primary types of death described in Scripture:

1. Physical Death – This is the separation of the soul from the body. Genesis 3:19 states, “For dust you are, and to dust you shall return,” emphasizing the body’s return to the earth after death. Hebrews 9:27 also affirms that “it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.”
2. Spiritual Death – This refers to the separation of a person from God due to sin. Ephesians 2:1 describes humanity as “dead in trespasses and sins,” meaning that without salvation, people are spiritually disconnected from God. Isaiah 59:2 states, “Your iniquities have separated you from your God.”
3. Eternal Death (Second Death) – This is the final and eternal separation from God for those who reject salvation. Revelation 20:14-15 describes this as the “lake of fire,” where those not found in the Book of Life face eternal separation from God.

The Bible also speaks of victory over death through Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 declares that “death has been swallowed up in victory” through Christ’s resurrection, offering believers eternal life and reconciliation with God2.

Has God ever allowed or commanded divorce?

Ezra 10 describes a moment when Israelite men were commanded to separate from their foreign wives. This directive came after Ezra discovered that many Israelites had married women from surrounding pagan nations, which was seen as a violation of God’s covenant. The concern was that these marriages led to idolatry and spiritual corruption, similar to what happened with King Solomon.

The command to divorce was not a general endorsement of divorce but rather a specific response to a national crisis. The foreign wives were not merely unbelievers but idol worshipers who influenced Israel away from God. This was different from Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 7:12-15, where he advised believers to remain with their unbelieving spouses if they were willing to live peacefully. The distinction lies in the fact that Ezra’s situation involved direct disobedience to God’s law regarding intermarriage with certain nations2.

Explain Gods command to divorce recorded in Ezra chapter 10

ChatGPT said:

Ezra 10 records a unique and difficult moment in Israel’s history: God commanding the people to divorce their foreign wives. This command may seem shocking or harsh at first glance, but it must be understood within its biblical, historical, and covenantal context.

Context of Ezra 10

After the Babylonian exile, many Israelites had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple and reestablish worship. However, some of the returned exiles had married foreign women from the surrounding pagan nations (Ezra 9:1-2). This was a serious violation of God’s covenant law—not because of ethnicity, but because these women brought idolatry and spiritual compromise.

Deuteronomy 7:3-4 warns:

“You shall not intermarry with them… for they will turn away your sons from following Me, to serve other gods.”

Ezra 9 shows the gravity of the situation. Ezra is devastated, mourning the people’s unfaithfulness, and he prays a prayer of deep repentance.

God’s Command in Ezra 10

In Ezra 10:2-3, a leader named Shecaniah suggests a radical solution:

“Let us make a covenant with our God to put away all these wives and their children… according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God.”

Ezra agrees, and the people solemnly gather in Jerusalem. Under great conviction and trembling, they decide to divorce the pagan wives and send them away (Ezra 10:10-12). This act is referred to as a “commandment of God” (Ezra 10:11).

✨ Why Did God Command Divorce Here?

1. To preserve Israel’s holiness and identity
   Intermarriage with pagan nations had led to idolatry, corruption, and rebellion in past generations (e.g., Solomon in 1 Kings 11). God was calling His people to be set apart and faithful to Him.
2. To prevent spiritual compromise
   These marriages weren’t neutral—they posed an active spiritual threat. Foreign wives often brought foreign gods, which would lead Israel back into the very sins that caused their exile.
3. As a form of repentance and covenant renewal
   The divorces were not merely legal actions but acts of repentance—a turning away from sin to return to covenant faithfulness with God.

Key Considerations

• This was a specific command for a unique moment in Israel’s redemptive history.
• God does not generally command divorce. In fact, Malachi 2:16 says, “I hate divorce.” But in this case, the spiritual danger outweighed the norm, and radical action was needed.
• It was a national, covenantal issue, not merely a personal or relational matter.

Below is a summary of how major Christian denominations approach divorce and remarriage, based on their interpretations of Scripture. Encourage participants to reflect on these perspectives with humility and openness.

Roman Catholic Church

• View on Divorce: The Catholic Church teaches that a valid, sacramental marriage is indissoluble, based on Matthew 19:6. Divorce is not recognized as ending a marriage in God’s eyes; civil divorce may be tolerated for legal reasons (e.g., safety), but the marriage bond remains.
• View on Remarriage: Remarriage after divorce is not permitted unless the previous marriage is declared null (annulment), meaning it was never a valid sacramental marriage. Without annulment, remarriage is considered adulterous.
• Key Texts: Matthew 19:6; Mark 10:11-12; Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2382-2386).
• Practice: The annulment process investigates whether a marriage was validly formed. Remarried Catholics without annulments cannot receive Communion unless living as “brother and sister.”
• Discussion Question: How does the Catholic view of marriage as a sacrament shape its stance on divorce and remarriage?

Eastern Orthodox Church

• View on Divorce: The Orthodox Church permits divorce in cases of serious sin (e.g., adultery, abandonment, abuse), viewing it as a pastoral concession due to human sinfulness, not God’s ideal (Matthew 19:9).
• View on Remarriage: Remarriage is allowed under certain conditions, typically after ecclesiastical approval. Second or third marriages involve a penitential rite, acknowledging the failure of the previous union.
• Key Texts: Matthew 19:9; 1 Corinthians 7:15; Orthodox teachings emphasize “oikonomia” (pastoral leniency).
• Practice: Divorce and remarriage are handled case-by-case, with a focus on healing and restoration.
• Discussion Question: How does the Orthodox concept of “oikonomia” balance grace and accountability in cases of divorce and remarriage?

Protestant Denominations (General Overview)

• Evangelical/Baptist:
  • View: Many Evangelicals permit divorce and remarriage in cases of adultery (Matthew 19:9) or abandonment by an unbeliever (1 Corinthians 7:15). Some are stricter, allowing divorce but not remarriage unless the former spouse dies.
  • Practice: Policies vary widely. Some churches allow remarriage with pastoral counseling, while others restrict remarried individuals from leadership roles (e.g., 1 Timothy 3:2).
  • Discussion Question: How do Evangelical churches balance biblical teaching with pastoral care for divorced and remarried members?
• Lutheran:
  • View: Divorce is permitted in cases of adultery or abandonment, though reconciliation is preferred. Remarriage is generally allowed, with an emphasis on grace and forgiveness.
  • Practice: Lutheran churches often provide pastoral support for remarriage, encouraging spiritual growth.
  • Discussion Question: How does the Lutheran emphasis on grace influence its approach to remarriage?
• Anglican/Episcopal:
  • View: Divorce is permitted in cases of serious breakdown (e.g., adultery, abuse), and remarriage is often allowed after pastoral discernment.
  • Practice: Some Anglican churches allow remarriage in the church, while others require a bishop’s approval.
  • Discussion Question: How does the Anglican approach reflect a balance between tradition and modern pastoral needs?
  • King Henry VIII’s pursuit of a divorce and his subsequent annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon significantly influenced the formation of the Church of England. His actions, driven by the need for a male heir and his frustration with the Pope’s refusal to grant the annulment, led to a break from the Catholic Church and the establishment of a separate, national church under royal authority.

Non-Denominational/Charismatic

• View: Views vary widely, often aligning with Evangelical perspectives. Many allow divorce and remarriage for biblical reasons (adultery, abandonment), emphasizing forgiveness and new beginnings.
• Practice: Non-denominational churches may have flexible policies, focusing on individual circumstances and spiritual restoration.
• Discussion Question: How can non-denominational churches ensure consistency in addressing divorce and remarriage?

5. Practical Application and Pastoral Considerations

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:

Colossians 3:¹² Therefore, holy and beloved, as the elect of God, put on hearts of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering,

¹³ forbearing one another and forgiving one another if any man have a quarrel against another: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

¹⁴ And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Key Points:

• Regardless of denominational stance, Christians are called to show compassion, forgiveness, and grace to those affected by divorce and remarriage.
• Churches should provide support for struggling marriages, pastoral care for the divorced, and guidance for those considering remarriage.
• The goal is to uphold God’s ideal for marriage while extending grace to those who have experienced brokenness.
• What God put together, let no man put asunder. I believe that this means that neither a husband, nor a wife, nor clergy, nor any person has the authority or ability to end a one-flesh marriage.
• Yet, the Lord Himself can.Matthew 19:26
  But Jesus beheld them and said unto them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Like the sledgehammer illustration I gave on the video, I believe there are unique situations where God Himself, says, ENOUGH, and He ends a marriage. At this point, a person can find forgiveness and mercy through the blood of JESUS, and they are free to remarry  and move on with their life. Clearly, the blood of JESUS is more powerful than the tragedy of divorce.

Discussion Questions:

• How can churches support couples to prevent divorce?
• What are some ways to minister to divorced individuals without judgment?
• How can Christians balance upholding biblical standards with showing grace to those who remarry?

Group Activity:

• Divide into small groups and discuss a hypothetical scenario: A divorced Christian in your church wants to remarry. How would your group approach this situation pastorally, considering the biblical texts and denominational perspectives?

6. Closing Reflection

Scripture Reading: John 8:1-11 (Jesus and the woman caught in adultery)
Key Points:

• Jesus demonstrates grace and truth, neither condemning nor condoning sin.
• God’s heart is for restoration, healing, and holiness, even in the aftermath of broken relationships.

Reflection Question:
How does Jesus’ example in John 8:1-11 guide our response to those who have experienced divorce or are considering remarriage?

Closing Prayer:
Lord, thank You for Your Word and Your grace. Help us to uphold Your design for marriage while extending love and support to those who have experienced divorce. Guide our churches to be places of healing, truth, and restoration. In Jesus’ name, Amen.