Topical Bible: Marriage and Divorce

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Marriage

Marriage, as depicted in the Bible, is a sacred covenant instituted by God. It is designed as a lifelong union between one man and one woman, reflecting the relationship between Christ and the Church. The foundation of marriage is established in Genesis, where God creates Eve as a companion for Adam, stating, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him" (Genesis 2:18). The union is further solidified in Genesis 2:24, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh."

The New Testament reaffirms the sanctity of marriage. Jesus emphasizes its divine origin and permanence in Matthew 19:4-6, "Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united 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."

Marriage is also portrayed as a metaphor for the relationship between Christ and the Church. Ephesians 5:25-27 instructs husbands to love their wives "just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless."

Roles and Responsibilities

The Bible outlines specific roles and responsibilities within marriage. Husbands are called to lead their families with love and humility, as seen in Ephesians 5:23, "For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior." Wives are encouraged to respect and support their husbands, as stated in Ephesians 5:22, "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord."

Both partners are urged to practice mutual love, respect, and submission, creating a harmonious and God-centered relationship. Colossians 3:18-19 advises, "Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them."

Divorce

Divorce is addressed in the Bible with gravity and caution. While marriage is intended to be a lifelong commitment, the Scriptures acknowledge circumstances where divorce may occur. In the Old Testament, Deuteronomy 24:1-4 provides regulations for divorce, allowing it under certain conditions but emphasizing the seriousness of the decision.

In the New Testament, Jesus addresses divorce in Matthew 19:8-9, stating, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart; but it was not this way from the beginning. Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman, commits adultery." This passage highlights sexual immorality as a permissible ground for divorce, underscoring the sanctity of the marital bond.

The Apostle Paul also discusses divorce in 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, advising, "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. And a husband must not divorce his wife." Paul acknowledges the challenges within marriage but encourages reconciliation and perseverance.

Remarriage

The topic of remarriage is closely linked to divorce. In cases where divorce is permissible, remarriage is generally accepted, particularly when the divorce was due to sexual immorality. However, remarriage is approached with caution, as seen in 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 marriage. So then, if she marries another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law and is not an adulteress, even though she marries another man."

The Bible's teachings on marriage and divorce emphasize the importance of commitment, fidelity, and the pursuit of a God-honoring relationship. While acknowledging human frailty and the complexities of marital relationships, the Scriptures consistently call believers to uphold the sanctity and permanence of marriage.

Topical Bible Verses

Matthew 19:9
And I say to you, Whoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, commits adultery: and whoever marries her which is put away does commit adultery.
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Luke 16:18
Whoever puts away his wife, and marries another, commits adultery: and whoever marries her that is put away from her husband commits adultery.
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Mark 10:2-12
And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.
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Matthew 19:4-6
And he answered and said to them, Have you not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
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Mark 10:11-12
And he said to them, Whoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, commits adultery against her.
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Matthew 19:8
He said to them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
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Greek

630. apoluo -- to set free, release
... hence "the divorce passages" in the Gospels uttered by Jesus (following on fornication)
are not contrary to the lengthy treatment of marriage/divorce by Paul ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/630.htm - 10k

Library

The Sacrament of Marriage; Marriage Indissoluble; the World's Law ...
... Book I. Chapter 11 [X.]"The Sacrament of Marriage; Marriage Indissoluble;
The World's Law About Divorce Different from the Gospel's. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 11 x the sacrament of.htm

Moses, Allowing Divorce, and Christ Prohibiting It, Explained John ...
... He prohibits divorce when He will have the marriage inviolable; He permits
divorce when the marriage is spotted with unfaithfulness. ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxxiv moses allowing divorce and.htm

Whether a Husband Can Marry Again after Having a Divorce?
... i, 10), "as long as they live they are bound by the marriage tie, which neither
divorce nor union with another can destroy." Therefore it is unlawful for one ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a husband can marry.htm

Whether in a Case of Divorce Husband and Wife Should be Judged on ...
... regards the good of the offspring the wife's adultery is a greater sin against marriage
than the husband's wherefore it is a greater reason for divorce in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether in a case of.htm

Journey to Jerusalem. Concerning Divorce.
... Jesus is therefore speaking with regard to celibacy and not divorce. He says that
eunuchs are unfit for marriage, whether made so by nature or by the violence ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xcviii journey to jerusalem concerning.htm

His Decision on the Question of Divorce. --Celibacy. (Matt. , xix,
... One of them concerned the interpretation of the Mosaic law of divorce, and was ... [607]
The school of Hillel held that the moral law of marriage was satisfied in ...
/.../section 224 his decision on.htm

Divorce
... Christ's second proof that marriage cannot be dissolved without sin is that glow
of ... In that sacred hour, how hideous and base a wanton divorce would be felt to ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 10 1-12 divorce.htm

From Examples Tertullian Passes to Direct Dogmatic Teachings He ...
... "Alike when divorce dissevers marriage as when death does, she will not be bound
to him by whom the binding medium has been broken off." To whom, then, will ...
/.../tertullian/on monogamy/chapter ix from examples tertullian passes.htm

Whether the Reason for Divorce was Hatred for the Wife?
... within narrower limits, saying with sufficient probability that it was not lawful
to divorce a wife except for some cause subsequent to the marriage; and that ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the reason for divorce.htm

Chapter xvi.
... here. He advises readers to go to his other writings on the subject of
marriage and divorce, or to the works of other writers. He ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xvi.htm