The Biblical Teaching On Divorce And Remarriage
The Biblical Teaching on Divorce and Remarriage
Authored by Beyonddennis
Marriage, as understood from a biblical perspective, is a sacred covenant established by God Himself. From the foundational narrative in Genesis, where God declares it is "not good for the man to be alone" (Genesis 2:18) and creates Eve as his suitable helper, the institution of marriage is presented as a lifelong, exclusive union between one man and one woman, where "the two will become one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). This "one flesh" union signifies a profound spiritual, emotional, and physical bond, intended to be permanent and unbreakable by human design.
Despite this divine ideal, the reality of human sinfulness has often led to the challenging circumstances of divorce and remarriage throughout history. The Bible, in its comprehensive portrayal of human experience, addresses these complexities with both divine principles and practical allowances. This detailed article explores the biblical teaching on divorce and remarriage, examining perspectives from the Old and New Testaments to provide a holistic understanding.
Old Testament Perspectives on Divorce
The Old Testament, particularly the Mosaic Law, acknowledges the existence of divorce, though it was never God's original intent. Deuteronomy 24:1-4 is the most prominent passage, outlining procedures for divorce in ancient Israel. It states that if a man marries a woman and she "finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her," he could write her a certificate of divorce, give it to her, and send her away.
The precise meaning of "some indecency" (Hebrew: 'ervat davar') was a subject of considerable debate among Jewish rabbis in Jesus' time, with some interpreting it broadly to allow divorce for "any cause" (Hillel's view) and others more narrowly (Shammai's view). While the law required a formal certificate of divorce, which provided some protection for the woman by legally establishing her freedom to remarry, it primarily served to regulate an existing practice rather than endorse it. Divorce in this context was predominantly a husband's act, and a wife had limited, if any, legal recourse to initiate it herself. The law in Deuteronomy 24:1-4 ultimately prohibits a first husband from remarrying his ex-wife if she had been married to another man after their divorce, emphasizing the finality of the second marriage and protecting the woman's dignity from potential exploitation.
The prophet Malachi offers a strong condemnation of divorce, declaring, "For I hate divorce," says the Lord, the God of Israel (Malachi 2:16). This statement emphasizes God's heart for the permanence of marriage and condemns the treachery and violence often associated with unwarranted divorces, particularly when men were abandoning the "wives of their youth" for other women.
New Testament Perspectives: Jesus' Teachings
Jesus' teachings on divorce and remarriage, primarily found in Matthew 5, Matthew 19, Mark 10, and Luke 16, underscore God's original design for marriage as a lifelong covenant. When challenged by the Pharisees about the Mosaic allowance for divorce, Jesus directed them back to creation, asserting, "Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate" (Matthew 19:6). He explained that Moses permitted divorce "because your hearts were hard," but "it was not this way from the beginning" (Matthew 19:8). This indicates that divorce was a concession to human sinfulness, not God's ideal.
The "Exception Clause" (Porneia)
A crucial aspect of Jesus' teaching is the "exception clause" found in Matthew 5:32 and Matthew 19:9. Jesus states, "I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality (porneia), and marries another woman commits adultery" (Matthew 19:9). The Greek word "porneia" is central to understanding this exception. It is a broad term that generally refers to "illicit sexual activity" or "sexual perversion". While it encompasses various forms of sexual sin, including fornication, prostitution, and potentially adultery, its exact scope is debated. Some interpretations suggest it refers to sexual immorality *before* marriage (e.g., discovering pre-marital unchastity during betrothal), while others see it as a general term for any sexual sin that breaks the marriage covenant, including adultery.
The mainstream view amongst many researchers is that "porneia" serves as a legitimate biblical ground for divorce, allowing the innocent party to remarry without committing adultery. It is important to note that even when this exception exists, divorce is not commanded or encouraged, but rather an allowance for the innocent spouse. Reconciliation and forgiveness are always presented as the primary goals.
New Testament Perspectives: Paul's Teachings
The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 7, provides further guidance on marriage, divorce, and remarriage, particularly addressing issues within the early Christian community, including "mixed marriages" between believers and unbelievers.
Paul's primary instruction to married believers is clear: "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" (1 Corinthians 7:10-11). This aligns with Jesus' emphasis on marital permanence.
The "Pauline Privilege" (Desertion)
However, Paul introduces another significant exception, often called the "Pauline Privilege," concerning believers married to unbelievers. He states, "To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him... 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 7:12-15).
This passage implies that if an unbelieving spouse *deserts* (leaves or divorces) the believing spouse, the believer is "not bound" and is therefore free to remarry. The term "desertion" (chorizo in Greek) refers to a tearing away or a standing away from, indicating a willful departure and abandonment of marital responsibilities. While the passage doesn't explicitly mention remarriage, the phrase "not bound" is generally understood to imply freedom to remarry for the innocent party. Many theologians also consider severe physical or emotional abuse to be a form of desertion, releasing the innocent party.
Implications for Remarriage and Pastoral Considerations
The biblical teaching consistently upholds marriage as a lifelong covenant, with divorce being a regrettable departure from God's ideal, permitted only due to human "hardness of heart" or specific breaches of the covenant. When biblical grounds for divorce (sexual immorality or desertion by an unbeliever) are present, the innocent party is generally considered free to remarry in the Lord. The right to remarry after a biblically justified divorce is assumed throughout Scripture, just as death ends a marriage bond.
For those who divorce on unbiblical grounds and remarry, Jesus states that they commit adultery (Mark 10:11-12). However, the Bible also emphasizes God's grace, forgiveness, and the possibility of reconciliation. When such sins occur and are confessed, God offers forgiveness, and individuals should continue in their current marriage. The church's role is to uphold biblical principles, offer counsel, and encourage repentance and reconciliation where possible, applying church discipline for those who willfully reject God's Word on marriage.
Ultimately, the biblical teaching encourages believers to strive for lifelong fidelity in marriage, but it also provides compassionate allowances for divorce and remarriage in specific, covenant-breaking circumstances. The focus remains on God's original design, while acknowledging the brokenness of a fallen world and offering pathways for grace and new beginnings. This research by Beyonddennis aims to provide a comprehensive and clear understanding of these complex and vital biblical teachings.