Divorce remains one of the most sensitive and debated topics both within religious communities and society at large. It’s an issue that touches on personal beliefs, moral standards, and interpretations of sacred texts, particularly the Bible.
Within the pages of scripture, various passages address divorce, each offering unique perspectives that have sparked discussions and disagreements throughout history.
In this article, we will look into 11 controversial verses from the Bible that shed light on its stance and guidance regarding divorce.
What Does It Say in the Bible About Divorce
The Bible addresses divorce in several passages, notably in Matthew 19:6, where Jesus says, “What God has joined together, let no one separate,” and in 1 Corinthians 7:15, where Paul discusses divorce in the context of a believer married to an unbeliever.
I will explain these passages and their implications in more detail below.
1. Genesis 2:24
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
Genesis, the book of beginnings, sets the foundation for understanding marriage as a divine institution. This verse highlights God’s original design for marriage—a lifelong union between a man and a woman characterized by unity and intimacy.
It emphasizes the sacredness and permanence of the marital bond, portraying marriage as more than a legal contract but as a spiritual and physical union intended to reflect God’s love and fidelity.
2. Malachi 2:16
“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’s prophecy addresses the issue of divorce in the context of covenant faithfulness. It condemns divorce that stems from a lack of love or commitment, portraying it as an act of violence against the spouse and the marital covenant itself.
This verse underscores God’s expectation for spouses to honor their commitment and to safeguard their relationships with fidelity and love.
3. Matthew 5:31-32
“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 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.”
In this passage from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses the Pharisaic interpretation of divorce laws under the Mosaic covenant.
He challenges the prevailing cultural norms by presenting a stricter standard, allowing divorce only in cases of sexual immorality (often understood as adultery).
Jesus emphasizes the seriousness of divorce, warning against actions that lead to further moral compromise and relational brokenness.
4. Matthew 19:3-9
“And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”
In response to a question posed by the Pharisees about divorce, Jesus reiterates the sanctity and permanence of marriage as established by God from the beginning.
He affirms that divorce and subsequent remarriage, apart from cases of sexual infidelity, constitute adultery—a violation of the marital covenant and God’s intended order.
This teaching underscores Jesus’ commitment to upholding God’s design for marriage and His desire for relational fidelity and commitment.
5. Mark 10:11-12
“And he said to them, ‘Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.’”
Mark’s Gospel presents Jesus’ teachings on divorce and remarriage with straightforward clarity. He condemns divorce that leads to remarriage as an act of adultery, highlighting the ethical and moral implications of marital dissolution within the framework of God’s divine order.
These verses underscore Jesus’ call to uphold the sanctity of marriage and to prioritize relational integrity and commitment.
6. 1 Corinthians 7:10-11
“To the married, I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.”
In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul addresses questions related to marriage and divorce within the context of Christian community life.
He affirms Jesus’ teachings on marital fidelity and reconciliation, urging spouses to prioritize reconciliation over separation and divorce whenever possible.
Paul emphasizes the importance of maintaining marital commitment and unity, reflecting God’s desire for relational harmony and stability within Christian marriages.
7. 1 Corinthians 7:12-16
“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.”
Paul addresses specific scenarios where one spouse is a believer and the other is not. He advises against divorce if the unbelieving spouse is willing to remain in the marriage, emphasizing the sanctifying influence of the believer within the marital relationship.
These verses highlight Paul’s pastoral concern for maintaining familial and relational harmony within diverse spiritual contexts, promoting unity and mutual respect in mixed-faith marriages.
8. Deuteronomy 24:1-4
“When a man takes a wife and marries her if then she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house,
and she departs out of his house, and if she goes and becomes another man’s wife, and the latter man hates her and writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house, or if the latter man dies, who took her to be his wife, then her former husband, who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after she has been defiled, for that is an abomination before the Lord. And you shall not bring sin upon the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance.”
This Old Testament passage provides legal provisions for divorce within the ancient Israelite context. It acknowledges the reality of marital breakdown and offers guidelines for the dissolution of marriage through a formalized process of issuing a certificate of divorce.
The passage reflects the cultural and legal framework of ancient Israel, addressing the complexities of marital dissolution and subsequent remarriage within the context of covenant fidelity and moral integrity.
9. 1 Timothy 3:2, 12
“Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach… Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their households well.”
These verses, while not directly addressing divorce, imply a standard of marital fidelity and stability expected of church leaders.
They underscore the importance of marital commitment and integrity within Christian leadership, reflecting Paul’s emphasis on personal and relational integrity as qualifications for spiritual leadership within the church.
10. Ephesians 5:31-32
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.”
Paul references the Genesis account of marriage to illustrate its spiritual significance as a reflection of Christ’s relationship with the church.
He emphasizes the profound mystery of marital unity and fidelity, highlighting the spiritual and relational implications of marriage as a sacred covenant ordained by God.
This passage underscores Paul’s theological framework for understanding marriage within the context of Christ’s sacrificial love and the church’s covenant relationship with Him.
11. Romans 7:2-3
“For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.”
Paul discusses the legal and moral implications of marriage, emphasizing the lifelong commitment it entails until death.
While not directly addressing divorce, these verses affirm the permanence of marriage and the moral implications of relational fidelity within the context of God’s divine order.
Paul’s teaching underscores the ethical principles governing marital fidelity and integrity within Christian moral theology.
Conclusion
The Bible presents a comprehensive perspective on divorce, reflecting God’s intention for marriage as a sacred covenant characterized by love, fidelity, and mutual respect.
These 11 controversial verses offer profound insights into biblical teachings on divorce, prompting reflection and discussion on how these principles apply to contemporary life and relationships.
Ultimately, they encourage believers to uphold the sacredness of marriage, prioritize relational integrity and reconciliation, and seek God’s wisdom and guidance in navigating the complexities of marital relationships.
