Divorce Bible Verses

I really don't even like reading divorce bible verses - I've seen too much pain in families ripped apart by marital splits. But perhaps that makes these verses that much more important.

Divorce is a divisive subject in many churches. Some Christians condemn divorce in any and every situation. Others don't take a stand either way. But what does God think? While disagreement exists, I think that everyone who takes these bible verses about divorce seriously can agree on at least a few points:

• God intends marriage to be a permanant, lifetime commitment.
• Divorce is never the ideal resolution.
• Marriage needs to be tenaciously guarded and preserved.
• If God does allow divorce is some circumstances, it must be considered only as a last resort.

Divorce Bible Verses from Jesus

Matthew 5:32
Anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery. (NIV)

Matthew 19:9
Anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery. (NIV)

Mark 10:11
Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. (NASB)

Divorce Bible Verses from Paul

Romans 7:2-3
For a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of the marriage. So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is alive, she will be called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she is joined to another man, she is not an adulteress. (NET)

1 Corinthians 7:10-11
To the married I give this command – not I, but the Lord – a wife should not divorce a husband (but if she does, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband), and a husband should not divorce his wife. (NET)

1 Corinthians 7:12-16
To the rest I say – I, not the Lord – if a brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is happy to live with him, he should not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is happy to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified because of the wife, and the unbelieving wife because of her husband. Otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy. But if the unbeliever wants a divorce, let it take place. In these circumstances the brother or sister is not bound. God has called you in peace. For how do you know, wife, whether you will bring your husband to salvation? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will bring your wife to salvation? (NET)

1 Corinthians 7:39-40
A wife is bound as long as her husband is living. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes (only someone in the Lord). But in my opinion, she will be happier if she remains as she is – and I think that I too have the Spirit of God! (NET)

Divorce Bible Verses Conclusion

It is tempting to raise the banner of the particular verse that seems to affirm our personal beliefs about divorce.

However, it is important that we consider all the verses together, and equally balanced. When we look at these divorce bible verses from a balanced perspective, we have an opportunity to affirm both the importance of lifetime marriage, and the grace God extends to marital relationships suffering from sin.

In addition to these divorce bible verses, you may also want to study these marriage bible verses.




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Scripture marked NIV taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved. www.bible.org

Scripture quotations marked NASB taken from the New American Standard Bible.




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