Bible verses for all occasions.
Divorce is a topic that has been debated and discussed for centuries. It is a deeply personal and sensitive matter, often carrying with it a range of emotions and consequences. The Bible addresses divorce in several passages, offering guidance and wisdom for those facing this difficult decision. These verses shed light on God’s perspective on divorce, providing comfort, instruction, and encouragement for those seeking answers.
Matthew 19:3-9
“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.’”
In this passage, the Pharisees try to test Jesus by questioning Him about divorce. Jesus begins by affirming the sacredness of marriage, emphasizing that God’s intention is for a husband and wife to become one flesh. He acknowledges that Moses allowed divorce due to the hardness of people’s hearts but clarifies that this was not God’s original design. Jesus highlights the importance of faithfulness in marriage, stating that divorce is permissible only in cases of sexual immorality, and remarriage after divorce is considered adultery.
Malachi 2:16
“‘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.”
In this verse, God expresses His concern for the welfare of spouses and condemns those who hate and divorce their wives. He views divorce as an act of violence against the covenant of marriage and urges His people to be faithful and guard against unfaithfulness.
1 Corinthians 7:10-11
“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.”
The Apostle Paul addresses the Corinthians, providing guidance on marriage and divorce. He emphasizes that marriage is a lifelong commitment and discourages separation and divorce. If separation occurs, Paul advises remaining unmarried or seeking reconciliation with one’s spouse rather than pursuing divorce.
1 Corinthians 7:12-16
“To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?”
In this passage, Paul addresses believers who are married to unbelievers. He advises them not to divorce their unbelieving spouses if they are willing to live with them. Paul explains that the believing spouse sanctifies the unbelieving spouse and their children, creating a holy environment. However, if the unbelieving spouse chooses to leave, Paul acknowledges that the believer is not bound in such circumstances and should seek to live in peace.
Mark 10:2-12
“Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?’ ‘What did Moses command you?’ 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.’”
Similar to the passage in Matthew, the Pharisees test Jesus by asking about divorce. Jesus reiterates the sacredness of marriage and God’s intention for a husband and wife to become one flesh. He emphasizes that divorce goes against God’s will and that marrying another person after divorce is considered adultery.
Deuteronomy 24:1-4
“If a man marries a woman who becomes displeasing to him because he finds something indecent about her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house, and if after she leaves his house she becomes the wife of another man, and her second husband dislikes her and writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house, or if he dies, then her first husband, who divorced her, is not allowed to marry her again after she has been defiled. That would be detestable in the eyes of the Lord. Do not bring sin upon the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance.”
Deuteronomy addresses the issue of divorce under the Mosaic Law. It permits divorce when a man finds something indecent about his wife, but it also sets limitations. If the divorced woman marries another man and later becomes divorced or widowed, she cannot remarry her first husband. This restriction aims to discourage frivolous divorce and maintain the sanctity of marriage.
Matthew 5:31-32
“It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expands on the topic of divorce. He acknowledges the practice of giving a certificate of divorce but emphasizes that divorce, except in cases of sexual immorality, results in adultery. Jesus highlights the seriousness of divorce and its impact on the spouses involved.
Ephesians 5:22-33
“Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church—for we are members of his body. ‘For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”
Although not explicitly addressing divorce, this passage in Ephesians provides guidance on the roles and responsibilities of husbands and wives within marriage. It emphasizes mutual submission, sacrificial love, and respect. By understanding and fulfilling these roles, couples can cultivate a strong foundation for their marriage and foster a healthy relationship that withstands challenges.
1 Peter 3:1-7
“Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of
