Marriage is a sacred institution and a covenant that God values. However, we all know that marriage is also not a bed of roses. Marriage comes with many challenges that require one to be selfless and seek God for it to work (something the current generation seems to be missing). Research says that divorce cases have risen in this generation more than ever. However, does the Bible permit divorce? Is divorce a sin?
According to the scriptures, divorce is a sin, but there are some instances in the scripture where Paul and Jesus justify divorce. God says in the book of Malachi 2:16 that he hates divorce, which implies that it is a sin because God hates sin. Both Paul and Jesus permit divorce on the grounds of sexual immorality.
So, what does the Bible say about divorce? How does God feel about divorce? Is divorce a sin in the KJV bible? What does the Roman Catholic Church say about divorce? Does divorce violate the institution of marriage? Should I let God heal my marriage before considering divorce? Can a divorced Catholic remarry? Does God bless a second marriage after divorce? What are some bible verses about divorce? Continue reading to get answers to these questions and more.
What does the Bible say about divorce?
The Bible is clear in the book of Mathew 19:6 that marriage is a lifetime commitment. This book notes that only death can separate those who God has put together. Jesus says in the book of Mathew 19:8, “He said to them, because of your hardness of heart, Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning, it was not so.”
There are a lot of controversies about whether the Bible allows divorce or not. Jesus implies in the book of Mathew 5:32 that one can file for divorce in the case of marital unfaithfulness. Marital unfaithfulness means any form of sexual immorality in Greek. This can range from prostitution and fornication to adultery. Clearly, sexual relations are a core part of the marriage institution.
The book of Genesis also gives God’s view on marriage. Genesis 2:24 says, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
1st Corinthians 7:15 says, “But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases, the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace.”
How does God feel about divorce?
As mentioned above, God says in the book of Malachi 2:16 that he hates divorce. The desire of God is that married people should stay together despite what. He says in the book of 1st Corinthians 7:10-16 that a wife or the husband should not divorce the other but be reconciled. Additionally, Bible scholars agree that divorce goes against God’s will and the purpose of marriage and that reconciliation and forgiveness should mark the life of a believer.
Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Is divorce a sin in the KJV bible?
KJV bible version implies that divorce is a sin. Luke 16:18 in the KJV version notes that “Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.” The Bible is obvious that adultery is a sin. Jesus taught that whoever looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery. Therefore, according to the KJV bible, divorce is a sin.
What does the Roman Catholic Church say about divorce?
The Roman Catholic Church does not recognize or even permit divorce. A marriage can only be terminated if there are grounds for annulment or the death of one partner. Therefore, the Roman Catholic Church holds that though a couple might be granted a divorce certificate and permission in the eyes of the state, in the eyes of God, they are still one union.
The Roman Catholic Church, however, also agrees with the Bible that grounds of marital unfaithfulness in marriage are eligible for annulment of the marriage. As mentioned above, the Catholic Church allows one to remarry only if the marriage has been declared invalid by the Church through the process of annulment.
Does divorce violate the institution of marriage?
Divorce violates the institution of marriage because God says only death can separate those he has put together. Romans 7:2 says, “For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies, she is released from the marriage of law.” The Bible also says in the book of Mathew 19:6 that let no one separate what God has joined together.
Should I let God heal my marriage before considering divorce?
Bible readers and marriage counselors encourage married couples to let God work on their marriage when on the verge of filing for a divorce. This is because God is clear that his intent for marriage is that it can last forever unless one partner dies or there are grounds for adultery and marital unfaithfulness.
The Bible notes in the book of 1st Corinthians 7:15 that we can only let go of our marriage when one partner is a non-believer and wants to quit the union. That way, God tells us that we should not be enslaved because he called us for peace.
Therefore, when things get hard in your marriage, remember that God can restore what has been lost and heal the brokenhearted. Psalms 147:3 says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Therefore, when you are thinking in the line of divorce, first seek God and cry to him to restore your marriage.
Can a divorced Catholic remarry?
The Catholic Church is clear that marriage is an unbreakable union and that a divorcee can only remarry when the Church has completely nullified the former marriage. An annulment is simply a declaration by the Catholic Church that renders the former marriage invalid and makes it possible for divorced Catholics to remarry and even receive a commission. However, though annulment makes it possible for divorced Catholics to remarry, it is not there to encourage divorces.
Does God bless a second marriage after divorce?
The Bible is not clear whether God can bless a second marriage. However, the Bible possibly only permits remarriage when the divorce happened on the grounds of sexual immorality. Mathew 19:9 says, “And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” The Bible also emphasizes in the book of Mathew 5:32 that anyone who divorces his partner except on the ground of sexual immorality has committed adultery.
Bible verses about divorce
Mathew 5:32, “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.”
This indicates that the scripture only permits divorce on the grounds of sexual immorality, and only then can one remarry.
1st 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.”
The Bible encourages reconciliation in marriages and discourages divorce. Paul tells us that if a couple decides to divorce, they should stay unmarried or reconcile.
Malachi 2:16 reads, “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.”
God hates divorce. In the book of Genesis, God says that a woman shall leave their home and unite with the man and become one flesh. He says in the New Testament that they that he has put together, let no one separate.
References
What Does the Bible Say About Divorce?
What does the Bible say about divorce and remarriage?
What the Bible Teaches about Divorce and Remarriage
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
