Divorce and Remarriage in the
New Testament Below is a comprehensive list of New Testament verses
on divorce and remarriage. The early church, many reformers,
and faithful expositors have affirmed that the marriage covenant
is a lifelong bond that only death dissolves, in accordance
with God's original design. This view takes seriously the
whole counsel of Scripture and sees the so-called exception
clauses not as permissions to remarry, but as acknowledgments
of sin and concessions to a fallen world, without dissolving the
marriage bond. 1. Matthew 5, verses 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. Explanation Jesus upholds the
permanence of marriage. Divorce leads to adultery, and
remarriage while the first spouse lives is always adultery. The
exception clause refers to the reason why one may separate,
not a license to remarry. The union remains intact in God's
sight. 2. Matthew 19, verse 3-9. I tell you that anyone who divorces
his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits
adultery. Explanation Jesus' response to
the Pharisees reaffirms God's creation design for marriage.
What God has joined together, let no one separate. The exception
clause here does not grant permission to remarry. It simply recognizes
that sexual immorality may lead to separation, but it does not
dissolve the marriage bond. Remarriage is still called adultery.
3, Mark 10, verse 2-12. 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. Explanation Mark records no exception
clause. Jesus explicitly states that
remarriage after divorce is adultery, regardless of the cause of the
divorce. The original covenant remains binding until death.
4, Luke 16, verse 18. Anyone who divorces his wife
and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries
a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery. Explanation. Here, Jesus gives a universal
statement. Divorce does not dissolve the
bond, so remarriage is always adultery. Even the one who marries
a divorced woman is guilty of adultery, which rules out any
idea that divorce morally frees a person to remarry. 5. Romans
7, verse 2-3 By law, a married woman is bound to her husband
as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released
from the law that binds her to him. So then, if she has sexual
relations with another man while her husband is still alive, she
is called an adulteress. Explanation. The marriage bond
lasts as long as both spouses are alive. If she marries another
while her husband lives, she is an adulteress, regardless
of the circumstances of the divorce. Only death dissolves the one-flesh
union. 6. 1 Corinthians 7, verse 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. Explanation Paul,
echoing Jesus' command, insists that even if separation happens,
for serious reasons, remarriage is not an option. The only two
biblical choices are remain unmarried or be reconciled. No allowance
is given for remarriage while the spouse lives. 7. 1 Corinthians 7, verse 12-15 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. But if the unbeliever leaves,
let him do so. A believing man or woman is not
bound in such circumstances. God has called us to live in
peace. Explanation Even in cases of abandonment by an unbeliever,
the believing spouse is not bound in terms of ongoing marital duty,
but this does not imply freedom to remarry. The broader context,
verses 10-11, verse 39, shows that remarriage is still not
allowed while the spouse is living. 8. 1 Corinthians 7, verse 39. 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.
Explanation This is the clearest positive statement on remarriage. Only after death is remarriage
allowed. While the spouse lives, the bond
remains. This verse refutes any idea that
divorce frees someone to remarry. 9. Matthew 14, verse 3-4 Now Herod had arrested John and
bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother
Philip's wife. For John had been saying to him,
It is not lawful for you to have her. 10 Mark 6 verse 17-18 For
Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, because
of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had married. For
John had been saying to Herod, it is not lawful for you to have
your brother's wife. Explanation John the Baptist
publicly condemned Herod's adulterous remarriage to Herodias while
her first husband Philip was still alive. Even though Herod
had married her legally by Roman law, it was unlawful in God's
sight. John's rebuke and eventual death
shows how serious this sin is. The original covenant still stood
and their union was called adultery, not marriage. Summary God's design for marriage. Matthew 5, verse 31-32 Divorce
results in adultery, remarriage is not permitted. Matthew 19,
verse 3-9 No remarriage after divorce,
even in adultery. Mark 10, verse 2 to 12. All remarriage
after divorce is adultery. Luke 16, verse 18. Universal
prohibition on remarriage. Romans 7, verse 2 to 3. Marriage bond lasts until death.
1 Corinthians 7 verse 10-11 Remain unmarried or reconcile, no remarriage. 1 Corinthians 7 verse 12-16 Abandonment
does not free for remarriage. 1 Corinthians 7 verse 39 Only
death permits remarriage. Matthew 14, verse 3-4 and Mark
6, verse 17-18. Herod's remarriage condemned
as unlawful adultery. Final Reflection The consistent
testimony of the New Testament is this. Marriage is for life. Divorce may happen due to sin,
but it does not break the one-flesh covenant. Remarriage while the
spouse lives is adultery. Only death dissolves the covenant
and permits remarriage. This affirms the holiness of
God, the sacredness of the marriage covenant, and our need for grace
to live faithfully, even in the face of betrayal, abandonment,
or loss. Obedience in this area is hard,
but glorifying to God