What Does the Bible Say About Divorce and Remarriage?

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Answered by True Bible Teachings AI on 5/5/2026

1) Direct answer
Marriage is for life. The Bible allows divorce only on the ground of fornication, and remarriage after an unscriptural divorce is adultery. Death ends the bond; then a believer is free to marry again in the Lord. If separation occurs for other reasons, remain unmarried or be reconciled.

2) Scriptural explanation
- God’s original will: “Male and female… the two shall be one flesh… What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder” (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6).
- Moses’ allowance was because of hardness of heart, but Jesus restored the beginning: “Whoever puts away his wife, except for fornication, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her which is put away commits adultery” (Matthew 19:8-9; 5:31-32).
- The parallel texts tighten this: “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery… and if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery” (Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18).
- Death frees the survivor: “The woman which has a husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he lives… but if the husband be dead, she is free… so she is no adulteress though she be married to another man” (Romans 7:2-3; 1 Corinthians 7:39).
- For separations among believers: “Let not the wife depart… but and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband” (1 Corinthians 7:10-11).
- When an unbelieving spouse abandons the marriage: “If the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God has called us to peace” (1 Corinthians 7:15). This grants freedom from forced cohabitation and contention; yet the Lord’s command about remarriage still stands.
- God hates “putting away” (Malachi 2:16). Divorce is never commanded; even after immorality, forgiveness and restoration are better if true repentance is present.

3) Simple clarifying logic
- From the beginning, one man and one woman became one flesh. Man didn’t make that bond; God did. That’s why Jesus said, “Don’t tear it apart.”
- Moses’ permission was a concession, not God’s ideal. Jesus brought us back to the original Word.
- There is one clear exception: fornication - not adultery, breaks the covenant. In that case, the innocent party may lawfully put away the offending spouse and is not committing adultery by remarriage. Outside that cause, divorcing and remarrying makes adultery.
- If a spouse dies, the covenant is finished, and remarriage “in the Lord” is permitted.
- If you are separated for other causes, Scripture says remain unmarried or be reconciled. “We just don’t get along” is not a ground Jesus gave.
- If an unbeliever deserts you, you are not enslaved to keep a torn household in strife. Seek peace. Still, measure any remarriage by the Lord’s exception and by a clear conscience before God’s Word.

Past condition and present obedience
- If you came to Christ already divorced and remarried, don’t tear up your current home. Confess the past, stay where you are, and live faithfully from now on (1 Corinthians 7:17, 24; Acts 17:30). Teach your children God’s original way so they don’t repeat the pain.

Short reinforcement
Now notice, the Bible doesn’t make room for casual, no‑fault divorce. It calls us back to the beginning. One man, one woman, for life—except for the one cause Jesus named (fornication), and liberty if death ends the bond. You see, God honors His Word, and He will honor anyone who stands with it.