What does the Bible say about divorce?

Old Testament Foundations

The earliest explicit legislation concerning divorce appears in Deuteronomy. According to the preserved text, a man who wished to divorce his wife was required to write her a certificate of divorce:

“Suppose a man marries a woman but she does not please him because he has found something indecent about her. He must write her a certificate of divorce, give it to her, and send her away from his house” (Deuteronomy 24:1).

Archaeological discoveries such as the Dead Sea Scroll fragments of Deuteronomy (4QDeut) show that Deuteronomy 24 is remarkably consistent with the received Masoretic Text, confirming that the wording has been preserved accurately through centuries. In the broader context of the Ancient Near East, divorce laws existed in various forms (e.g., the Code of Hammurabi), yet the biblical instructions introduced a level of protection for the divorced woman by requiring an official written document and providing her with certain legal rights.

God’s View of Marriage and Faithfulness

Scripture also emphasizes God’s hatred of divorce as a breach of the covenant bond that mirrors His own covenant faithfulness. Malachi records:

“For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel…“So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith” (Malachi 2:16).

Here, the strong language underscores divorce as fundamentally contrary to God’s design. Marriage is intended to be a lifelong relationship reflecting God’s steadfast commitment to His people (cf. Hosea 2). The theme of covenant—a binding agreement of faithfulness—is central to the biblical ethos and carries into the New Testament teaching.

Teachings of Jesus

In the New Testament, Jesus addresses divorce several times, notably in the Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. He points back to the creation account in Genesis 2, affirming the original intent of marriage as a permanent union:

“‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate” (Matthew 19:5–6).

Jesus acknowledges the Deuteronomy 24 provision but explains that it was a concession due to human hardness of heart, not part of God’s ideal design (Matthew 19:7–8). In Matthew 5:31–32, Jesus heightens the standard, suggesting that divorce followed by remarriage—except on grounds of sexual immorality—leads to adultery. The parallel passage in Mark 10:2–12 reiterates this standard, underlining the gravity and lifelong intention of marriage. Luke 16:18 similarly states no exception, emphasizing the seriousness of breaking the marriage bond.

Regarding Jesus’ statements, early manuscript evidence such as the Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus confirms the continuity of His teaching on divorce. These manuscripts from the fourth century align with the citations found in later manuscripts, underscoring the reliability of biblical transmission on this topic.

Sexual Immorality as Grounds

Matthew’s Gospel is the only Synoptic account that explicitly mentions “sexual immorality” (Greek: porneia) as a potential justification for divorce (Matthew 19:9). This clause has been traditionally understood by many scholars and church leaders as an allowance for the offended spouse to initiate a divorce when the marriage covenant has been broken by serious sexual sin.

Research in ancient Greek papyri depicting marriage contracts also highlights that infidelity was considered a serious breach. The biblical text, however, places the final moral weight on the command to maintain faithfulness and consider reconciliation if feasible.

Paul’s Instruction to Believers

In 1 Corinthians 7, the Apostle Paul addresses divorce within the context of the early Christian community. He reiterates the Lord’s command not to separate or divorce, yet he acknowledges real-life circumstances—such as when a non-believing spouse departs. Paul writes:

“To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband... And a husband must not divorce his wife. … But if the unbeliever leaves, let him go. The believing man or woman is not bound in such cases. God has called you to live in peace” (1 Corinthians 7:10–15).

Though he upholds Jesus’ high view of marriage, Paul also stresses practical wisdom and peace within households. The discussion in 1 Corinthians 7:15 often leads interpreters to the position that desertion by an unbelieving spouse may constitute legitimate grounds for divorce. Historical Christian tradition has continued to wrestle with these texts, aiming to balance Jesus’ emphasis on permanence with pastoral care.

Possibility of Remarriage

Within biblical teaching, questions arise about the remarriage of divorced individuals. Jesus explains that remarriage after an illegitimate divorce leads to adultery (Mark 10:11–12; Matthew 5:31–32). Yet the literature surrounding the “exception clause” in Matthew 19:9 indicates a strong possibility that where a valid exception exists, remarriage may be permissible without guilt of adultery. Paul’s reference to a spouse being “not bound” (1 Corinthians 7:15) could imply a release from marital obligations, suggesting remarriage could be legitimate under the specified conditions.

However, the overarching principle is that believers are encouraged to preserve marriage whenever possible, seeking reconciliation and honoring the covenant.

Practical and Pastoral Considerations

When marriages experience severe turmoil—especially involving abuse, persistent unrepentant sin, or violations of trust—local church leadership often plays a role in counseling. The biblical model emphasizes attempts at reconciliation, repentance, and forgiveness, mirroring the gospel message. In counseling contexts, many pastors and Christian counselors use passages like Ephesians 5:22–33 to remind couples that marriage reflects Christ’s relationship with the Church, highlighting sacrificial love and respect.

From a behavioral science perspective, stable, loving marriages generally provide significant psychological benefits for spouses and children alike. Biblical teaching resonates with findings that support faithfulness, conflict resolution, and mutual care as essential for healthy family life.

Conclusion and Key Principles

1. Divine Ideal: Marriage is instituted by God to be a lifelong covenant—“one flesh”—and is meant to mirror His faithful character.

2. Moses’ Concession: Deuteronomy allows divorce under certain circumstances due to human hardness of heart, but it does not reflect God’s perfect plan.

3. Jesus’ Emphasis: Christ reaffirms permanence, allowing divorce only in extreme cases of sexual immorality (Matthew 19:9). This underscores the sanctity of marriage by raising the moral standard.

4. Paul’s Advice: Believers are not to seek divorce, though there is recognition that abandonment by an unbelieving spouse can free one from the marital bond (1 Corinthians 7:15).

5. Remarriage: Remarriage is generally viewed as adultery if the divorce was not biblically permissible. Yet in cases where the divorce is legitimate according to Scripture, remarriage may be allowed.

6. Reconciliation and Forgiveness: The prevailing tone of Scripture is toward forgiveness, healing, and restoration whenever possible, reflecting God’s saving work in Christ.

These principles, drawn from ancient manuscripts, modern translations, and an unbroken chain of biblical witness, encourage believers to uphold marriage with deep reverence. They also teach that while divorce is not God’s design, there is grace and provision for those navigating broken relationships.