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When You Need God

Studying the Bible Together

in Scripture & Bible Study · June 23, 2022

13 Bible Verses About Divorce & Deep Dive into God’s Word about it

You are in a time of uncertainty and confusion. Lean into the Word of God to better understand the direction you need in your life. Keep reading to learn about bible verses regarding divorce and remarriage.

Table of Contents

  • What does the Bible say about divorce?
  • What are God’s views on divorce?
  • What does the Old Testament say about divorce?
  • What does the New Testament say about divorce?
  • Bible verses about divorce
    • 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.” Mark 10:11-12 NIV
    • “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.” 1 Corinthians 7:15 NIV
    • “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.” Malachi 2:16 NIV
    • “Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Mark 10:9 NIV
    • “If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife – with the wife of his neighbor – both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death.” Leviticus 20:10 NIV
    • “Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.” Matthew 1:19 NIV
    • “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” Hebrews 13:4 NIV
  • Bible verses about remarriage
    • “A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 7:39 NIV
    • “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” Luke 16:18 NIV
    • “So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manager their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.” 1 Timothy 5:14 NIV
    • “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 24:4 NIV
    • “I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” Matthew 19:9 NIV
    • “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24 NIV

What does the Bible say about divorce?

The Bible is very repetitive and firm in its stance on divorce. When God created a marriage covenant for a man and woman, it was never to see them apart in the end.

God and his disciples endlessly repeat the pureness of marriage and never part ways unless the cause of fornication occurs. Divorce is never to take place unless one of these two things happens.

If your spouse commits adultery or if you have an unbelieving spouse. The Lord God makes no other exceptions other than these two. The good Word is clear on these stances since He knows that many will attempt to minimize the truth.

The Old and New Testaments are consistent with the messages of divorce being against God’s will for a married couple. God’s Word is firm on Christian couples staying together.

He knows that the married man is quick to fall into temptation outside of the marriage. However, Lord Jesus says that once you step out of your marriage, you are not to seek out your former wife.

It is a commandment not to commit adultery. Find motivation in your daily living to remain faithful to your spouse and yourself.

What are God’s views on divorce?

God’s views on divorce are clear regarding the commandments in the good Word. He states to not participate in acts that commit adultery. These actions will lead to the certificate of divorce.

Jesus answers that this is the only way the Lord God will approve of a divorce. Several Bible verses, including Matthew chapters 5 and 19, include that you are only allowed by God to get a divorce when adultery takes place in your marriage.

In such circumstances, divorce is deemed necessary.

Jesus answers the questions many ask during a time of separation. He has a purpose behind every reason. When you self-study the Bible, you can understand the reasoning behind His answers.

What does the Old Testament say about divorce?

The Old Testament explains the law of divorce in Deuteronomy. It warns the husband to be more cautious of his thoughts and actions regarding the cause of fornication.

The Lord God is aware of the issue within married couples who step out of their marriage yet go back home to their families.

In Malachi, God views divorce as hate for the man’s wife. Divorce was not a part of God’s plan for marriages. God’s plan for a marriage covenant was to remain faithful and united amongst one.

God did not make exceptions during this time for divorces to be the answer. The marriage covenant was a pact for the right people to become one under God. The Lord God begins to view His people acting within sin in their marriages.

What does the New Testament say about divorce?

The New Testament states many exceptions for divorce. It is accepted when you are with an unbelieving spouse dragging your spirituality down.

The Lord God approves divorce for this circumstance, knowing you are leading a peaceful life. God wants Christian couples to be together in the covenant he has created.

I believe therefore He becomes understanding when wanting to divorce an unbelieving spouse. It also shows what is not of God will not bear into fruition.

God begins to see many married couples falling into the temptation of adultery. It becomes an issue within villages and under the name of God for marriage.

He states that when your spouse commits adultery, you are to deliver a certificate of divorce now. When either spouse commits adultery, this is also accepted to pursue a divorce.

Bible verses about divorce

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.” Mark 10:11-12 NIV

Jesus explains how people have corrupted God’s definition of marriage. A man and woman marry to make a pact under God of their love and loyalty for one another.

Jesus Christ further describes how not every man is prepared for such a commitment and advises against it these people. The conversation quickly takes a turn regarding adultery and the seriousness behind it.

The issue of divorce in many marriages is regarding sexual relations. Exodus 20:14 is one of the Ten Commandments that states you should not commit adultery.

This bible verse is to emphasize adultery for both partners. It is not a one-sided consequence, nor does God allow either party to disobey his commandments.

Jesus Christ is aware of those who once believed that only a woman could commit adultery. He now clarifies that if either wife or husband proceeds in relationships with any sex outside their marriage, they are committing adultery.

“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.” 1 Corinthians 7:15 NIV

Paul is teaching those in a marriage with a nonbeliever to allow their spouses to leave. Allow this person to go when the relationship is not in the image of God.

Matthew 5:32 voices any worries someone has when deciding on divorce from a nonbeliever. God approves such circumstances to allow divorce writing to occur.

The Lord God does not want you to live in a burden due to your spouse’s sins, but to live in peace. He tells you to ease your minds and hearts and sit still, knowing you are at peace with Jesus Christ.

Jesus answers for those in relationships with nonbelievers yet continue to live in physical and emotional abuse. Therefore, God is telling you to walk away from this unbelieving spouse.

In the light of God, find your confidence and strength to allow an unbelieving spouse to peacefully step out of your marriage.

“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.” Malachi 2:16 NIV

This bible verse explains the emotional abuse that entails a divorce. Ezekiel 16:8 is God describing His love through an example of married people. A husband is to cover his wife, which is him protecting his wife.

In God’s eyes, a marriage is something that lasts until death, and God now sees husbands as hating their wives for proceeding with such a harmful act towards this man’s wife.

One of God’s purposes for a married man is to protect his household and his wife. During the difficult time of a divorce, a man neglects biblical reasons to continue fighting for the marriage.

I believe this is due to surrounding yourselves with worldly views and not the image of God. It is common today to hear of divorces taking place in households.

However, we fail to realize the spiritual harm a man’s wife is enduring during the process.

“Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Mark 10:9 NIV

The following verse says that the man leaves the father to join His wife. In the image of God, man is to leave his parents’ home to join as one with his wife.

In biblical times a married man committed adultery and would send the wife away. It is still a current issue of lack of self-control.

Malachi 2:14-16 states God rejected the sacrifices since the Israelites were unfaithful to their wives. Instead of protecting the wife’s head, they went against the marriage covenant.

These words are to speak to a married man who is considering stepping out of their marriage. This bible verse is to correct the thoughts of married people desiring divorce.

In God’s eyes, marriage is to last until eternity and has a wholesome meaning. In such cases, Jesus Christ has often seen husbands hardening their hearts towards their current wives.

The hardness of your hearts is not only against God’s law but is a way to lead into the writing of divorce.

“If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife – with the wife of his neighbor – both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death.” Leviticus 20:10 NIV

You have dishonored your Father when committing this sin. When one married husband commits adultery, people will stone him and the adulteress to death.

This phrase alone should open your eyes to how God views this. He does not excuse or overlook such acts regarding a marriage covenant. The greatest commandment is Mark 12:31; love your neighbor as yourself.

This bible verse is one that you will always go back to with how you should treat everyone. The term neighbor in this bible verse refers to the second commandment we all know. A neighbor is everyone that you know and love.

The cause fornication is the leading reason why divorces are at an all-time high. When difficult times arise in marriages, it causes a strain leading a married husband or wife to listen to their own body and not Christ Jesus.

It is common today to listen to the world; however, allow this bible verse to reach you. Your marriage is pure in God’s eyes, and He created this pact for you and your spouse to lean onto each other and not outside your marriage.

“Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.” Matthew 1:19 NIV

It is a part of the story of the birth of Jesus Christ from the viewpoint of Joseph. Joseph had a marriage covenant with Mary that her father arranged. He is aware that Mary is pregnant, yet not by him.

Joseph believes it is due to a lack of self-control and that Mary does adultery. He is putting together the certificate of divorce but wants this done in private.

The man’s wife has endured much backlash from their people and wants to save her from further humiliation.

The process of divorce is overbearing mentally and spiritually to any person. Your emotions scatter from the loss of someone.

Anger usually arises from the pain you are encountering when beginning the bill of divorcement. This bible verse speaks to those who fall into today’s culture of lashing out at the spouse you are divorcing. Although the good Word states the Lord God is against divorce.

The God of Israel wants you to walk away from this person peacefully and respectfully. Even in difficult times, act in the image of God.

“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” Hebrews 13:4 NIV

It is common today for sexual relations to be brushed off and minimized by their importance. You get caught up in your own body and neglect that it is God’s temple that the Lord God desires for you to take care of yourself.

The Holy Bible and personal experience confirm that sexual relations have consequences. Soul ties begin to take place after each encounter that you decide to change partners. Instructions are there from the New Testament teachings of sexual cleanness.

Romans 1:24 goes on to say that you are to not give in to the sexual immorality you desire. God designed sexual acts to be within the body of your marriage for pleasure, but even more for safety in the first place.

Marriage is a place of honor that comes with God’s eyes of pureness. Judgment will take place by the Lord God for all who commit adultery.

Bible verses about remarriage

“A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 7:39 NIV

This bible verse restates that only death shall end a marriage. It is not saying to divorce and find another spouse if you are unhappy.

Paul is saying this is the only stipulation for marrying another person if you become widowed. This exact bible verse is for former wives that are now widowed.

The Lord God created a covenant to be your first marriage only. It was designed to be a beautiful way of making two people into one.

Second Corinthians 6:14 goes on to say that you are not to marry an unbelieving spouse. Fathers once picked out spouses for their daughters in biblical times, and now, they can choose amongst their desires.

When selecting a new husband, it is stated not to be an unbelieving husband. You cannot expect marriage to strive when making a pact with someone who does not see the glory in your Father.

“Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” Luke 16:18 NIV

The Lord God holds marriage in high regard to many things He has created. It fits great power and meaning that two people are brought under God to maintain sacred trust amongst one another.

The law of marriage is to not step outside your marriage and entertain the people around you. It is seen as unrighteous and breaking the marriage covenant under God’s eyes that you committed to in the first place.

Jesus answers that when you step out of your marriage and enter a new one, this is unholy in God’s eyes. This commandment is something that married couples attempt to work around for their selfish desires.

You cannot pick and choose which commandments out of the Holy Bible to obey. 1 Corinthians 6:9 says you will not have access to the Kingdom of Heaven when you commit adultery.

Jesus teaches that once you enter a marriage, you are to remain in it, not to do what is seen as typical today. The message in this bible verse is not to be ignored but to lean into His understanding of married people.

Study the Bible with a group to clarify what God is speaking to you during this new season you are stepping into currently.

“So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manager their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.” 1 Timothy 5:14 NIV

Paul is encouraging the young age of widows to get remarried. Paul wants these women to move forward and remarry. For biblical reasons, to put into greater context, women were in charge of the children and duties of the home.

A woman’s sole purpose was to attend to the husband, children, and home. It was the reasoning behind bearing many children. It was a part of God’s image for a man’s wife.

First, Peter 5:8 warns of the adversary that the devil will pin up against you. The devil will find an area of your life to attack you on.

It is why the Lord God says for widowers to remarry. It removes any reasons for a former wife to participate in immoral behaviors.

However, by God’s permission, He desires for you to remarry a believer in Christ, not an unbelieving spouse that will lead to divorce in the first place.

“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 24:4 NIV

The first husband is not allowed to take back his former wife. It is not only punishment to the man but also a way to make him more cautious of his decisions. The former wife is now evident as unclean from either viewpoint.

Whether she gets married or decides to date around, she is deemed unhonorable. Removing a former wife in marriage or for pleasure would only disrupt God’s image for the children and the home.

It is common today to hear of sexual relations still occurring amongst couples that were once married. These previous spouses were quick to exchange the certificate of divorce yet could not completely break off pleasureful tithes together.

These tendencies not only harm each other but tend to damage happy homes and children in the chaos of it. This bible verse is confirmation for the back-and-forth couples that cannot seem to stop sinning in the eyes of the Lord.

“I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” Matthew 19:9 NIV

The Pharisees asked a question regarding divorce if there could be any circumstance that God would approve a separation for married people.

Then Jesus answers that unless the man’s wife participates in sexual acts, the husband will not proceed with a divorce. In God’s eyes, divorce is evident as a sin. God explains how he created marriage for two bodies to become one flesh.

Deuteronomy 24:1 is a man giving a certificate of divorce to his wife for finding indecency in her. Jesus is answering this bible verse, and only sexual relations can break up a marriage in God’s image for a marriage covenant.

It is common today for married couples to turn to divorce when hardships occur. Even the right people for each other will endure obstacles together.

It is through Christ Jesus that He alone can restore and heal any troubles within a relationship. However, sexual sin is deemed justifiable with wanting a divorce from the Word of God.

This book of the New Testament views remarriage as a sin when planning divorce from your current husband or wife.

“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24 NIV

God’s purpose was for a man to leave his father and mother in exchange for clinging to his wife. God designed the marriage covenant for two people to form into one body, mind, and spirit.

God created His children to be together in unity and never experience life alone. You are to leave one household and enter your own home that you will build up with your wife or husband.

The excellent Word places importance on respecting your current marriage. It is one of many reasons God put men and women on earth.

To experience love as close as we can express His love for us. With great passion comes respect, loyalty, and union. In God’s eyes, you only have one strong partner with whom you form a pact for life.

You never part ways unless under certain circumstances in the Holy Bible. However, God did not create marriages in the image of God to recreate endlessly. It is common today to fall into the cycle of jumping into new relationships until they get it right.

God’s desire was for first marriages to be your only marriage.

The following bible verses above are a confirmation of situations you are enduring yet cannot seem to allow God to lead the way. God answers in many ways, and these bible verses are one of many ways to reach you.

Find comfort in knowing you will not walk this new chapter alone. Apply the teachings of Jesus to your marriage before turning to divorce.


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