Bible Verses about Divorce

In the grand theater of human existence, there are few acts as profoundly dramatic and deeply personal as that of marriage - the joining of two lives into one, the intertwining of two stories into a shared narrative of joy, challenges, growth, and love. The Bible, from its opening chapters in Genesis to its closing letters in the New Testament, reverberates with tales of these sacred unions, where husbands and wives endeavor to build life together, offering a mirror into the divine love God has for His people.

Consider, for instance, the story of Ruth and Boaz. Here, we see Ruth, a woman of integrity and resilience, who, despite the tragedy of losing her husband, chooses to remain committed to her mother-in-law, Naomi. She finds solace and support in Boaz, an upstanding man of Israel. Their love story, beautifully woven into the biblical tapestry, offers insights into the strength and sanctity of marriage. Yet, amidst these accounts of love and devotion, the Bible also acknowledges the heart-rending reality of divorce.

Divorce, the dissolution of the marital bond, is spoken of in hushed tones, often with a mix of confusion, pain, and, at times, condemnation. However, the Bible, in its infinite wisdom and compassion, does not shy away from this human experience. From the explicit laws of Deuteronomy to the profound teachings of Jesus and the practical counsel of Apostle Paul, it offers guidance and understanding to those navigating the troubled waters of marital dissolution. This exploration of biblical perspectives on divorce seeks to provide clarity, consolation, and hope. As we delve into the Scriptures, let's journey together in a spirit of humility, respect, and empathy, remembering always that the God we serve is a God of redemption, restoration, and relentless love.

When is Divorce Permitted in the Bible?

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 bill 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 bill 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."

Jeremiah 3:8

"She saw that for all the adulteries of that faithless one, Israel, I had sent her away with a decree of divorce. Yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but she too went and played the whore."

Matthew 19:8-9

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. And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery."

Divorce and Remarriage

Deuteronomy 24:2

"And when she departs out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife."

Jeremiah 3:1

"If a man divorces his wife and she goes from him and becomes another man's wife, will he return to her? Would not that land be greatly polluted? You have played the whore with many lovers; and would you return to me? declares the LORD."

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."

Mark 10:2-12

"And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, 'Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?' He answered them, 'What did Moses command you?' They said, 'Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.' And Jesus said to them, 'Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female.' 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.' And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. 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.'"

Instruction on Divorce

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."

1 Corinthians 7:12-13

"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. If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him."

1 Corinthians 7:15

"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."

1 Corinthians 7:27-28

"Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that."

Marital Faithfulness Encouraged

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."

Exodus 20:14

“You shall not commit adultery.”

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."

Matthew 19:6

"So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate."

1 Corinthians 7:39

"A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord."

Hebrews 13:4

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.

Prohibitions and Restrictions on Divorce

Deuteronomy 22:19

"And they shall fine him a hundred shekels of silver and give them to the father of the young woman, because he has brought a bad name upon a virgin of Israel. And she shall be his wife. He may not divorce her all his days."

Leviticus 21:7

"They shall not marry a prostitute or a woman who has been defiled, neither shall they marry a woman divorced from her husband, for the priest is holy to his God."

Leviticus 21:14

"A widow, or a divorced woman, or a woman who has been defiled, or a prostitute, these he shall not marry. But he shall take as his wife a virgin of his own people."

Luke 16:18

"Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery."

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."

A Prayer to Restore Marriage

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the divine institution of marriage, for the blessings it brings and the growth it encourages. As we come before you today, we recognize the sacredness of this bond that You have ordained and the responsibility it bears.

Lord, we confess that at times we falter, we let the enemy sow discord and let worldly distractions pull us away from each other and from You. Forgive us, Father, for the times when we have acted out of selfishness, pride, impatience, or unkindness towards our spouses. We repent for the moments when we have not loved as You have loved us.

We ask that you strengthen and protect our marriages, Lord. Wrap them in Your unfailing love, secure them in Your unending faithfulness. Help us to keep You at the center of our marriages, guiding our actions, our words, and our hearts.

Teach us, Lord, to love as You love, to forgive as You forgive, and to extend grace as You have graciously given to us. Give us the wisdom to resolve our differences, the patience to weather life's storms together, and the commitment to always seek Your will.

Help us to remember that our marriage is a testament of Your divine plan, a mirror of Your love for the church. Let it be a light to the world, reflecting Your glory and goodness.

We invite Your presence into our marriages, Lord. Heal where healing is needed, restore where restoration is needed, and bind every couple closer together through Your powerful love.

In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.