What does the Bible say about divorce?
Marriage is established in Scripture as a divine institution ordained by God from creation when He declared that a man and woman would become "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). This foundational understanding presents marriage not merely as a civil contract but as a sacred covenant established by God Himself. The permanence of this union is emphasized by Jesus, who reaffirmed this creation mandate by stating, "What God has joined together, let no one separate" (Matthew 19:6). This spiritual bond transcends legal documentation, suggesting that even after a civil divorce, the original covenant may remain intact in God's eyes (cf. 1 Corinthians 7).
The Bible presents a nuanced view of divorce that acknowledges both its gravity and its occasional necessity in a fallen world. While Scripture maintains that God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16), it also provides guidance for those navigating its painful reality. Jesus addresses the topic directly, indicating that divorce, while not part of God's original design, was permitted by Moses due to the hardness of people's hearts (Matthew 19:8). The process of divorce is understood as more than just a legal dissolution; it represents the breaking of a sacred covenant and involves stages of shock, adjustment, and potential spiritual detriment.
Marriage holds profound theological significance as it symbolizes the relationship between Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:32). This symbolic understanding elevates the marriage covenant beyond mere human commitment to a divine reflection of spiritual truth. The Bible teaches that when someone enters into marriage under Christian auspices, they are bound by more than human promises–they are covenantally joined together by God's authority through the church. This understanding frames divorce not just as the dissolution of a human relationship but as a rupture in marriage's divine reflection. However, Scripture also acknowledges the reality of human brokenness and provides guidance for those who must navigate divorce, emphasizing the importance of maintaining spiritual integrity even in difficult circumstances (1 Corinthians 7:10-16).
Bible Verses about divorce:
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."
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."
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."
Deuteronomy 24:1, "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 certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house."
Mark 10:11-12, "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.'"
