What Does The Bible Say About Divorce?
Divorce is one of the most challenging issues facing many Christians in the modern world. With the increasing acceptance of divorce among religious and non-religious people alike, understanding what the Bible says about divorce is increasingly important.
In the Old Testament, God states in Deuteronomy 24:1-4 that those who have been divorced and remarried — whether or not they are Christian — cannot get remarried. In his book What Does the Bible Say About Divorce?, New Testament scholar and professor at Calvin Theological Seminary Philip Keller argues that in Mark 10:11-12, Jesus also suggests nobody should get remarried if they’ve been divorced.
Theologian and author of the Book for Divorced Catholics, Theresa McGuire, believes Jesus’ words in Mark 10:11-12 are simply an example of God’s ultimate goodness and mercy. McGuire writes that “Jesus is showing…that the brokenness of divorce should not be entered into without careful consideration.”
Traditional Jewish views on divorce are found in Deuteronomy 24:1-4, which state that divorced couples cannot remarry one another. This is traditionally seen as a way of protecting women, who were seen to have fewer rights than men in biblical times.
However, the New Testament states that we are all equally accepted by God. According to 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, we are free to live as if we are unmarried, even if we are married. It doesn’t forbid anyone from remarrying again.
Gail Curley, the Marriage and Family Life Director for the Archdiocese of Washington D.C., explains that the Christian Church does not note a moral difference between remarriage and a first marriage. “Jesus said ‘I will never leave you or forsake you’”, she continues. “We are of course sinful and as a consequence we sometimes make mistakes, but with God’s grace and mercy, no one is so sinful that they cannot return to their own status as a beloved child of God.”
What Does The Bible Say About Family Structure?
The Bible has a great deal to say about family structure, with a particular emphasis on the roles of father and mother. Ephesians 6:1-4 speaks of a father’s role in the Christian family, urging him to provide guidance, love and discipline, while Colossians 3:20 speaks of a mother’s role as one of tender affection and responsibility.
Proverbs 22:6 states that “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it”. This verse emphasizes the importance of teaching children about God and instilling Christian values in them from an early age.
The Bible also encourages young people to honor their parents, as stated in Deuteronomy 5: 16. This verse speaks of the importance of respecting one’s parents, even in difficult times.
The Bible speaks of the importance of marriage, as seen in Proverbs 5:18: “Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth”. This verse encourages married couples to enjoy their union.
Finally, Malachi 2:15 speaks of the importance of loyalty and faithfulness in marriage. This passage cautions married couples to remain true and loyal to one another.
What Does The Bible Say About Divorce and Remarriage?
The Bible sees divorce and remarriage as an act of adultery, as stated in Matthew 5:32 and 19:9. This verse speaks to the gravity of the situation, suggesting that divorce is only permissible for unfaithfulness in marriage.
In 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, the Bible suggests that if one spouse departs, than the other may remain unmarried or be reconciled. This passage suggests that divorce should be avoided if at all possible, and that reconciliation is preferable to breaking the marriage covenant.
The Bible is clear that any marriage should be conducted in a loving, respectful, and pure manner. In Ephesians 5:25, Paul speaks of how husbands should love their wives as Christ loves the Church. 1 Peter 3 speaks of the importance of husbands and wives being respectful to one another.
The Bible also speaks of the need to forgive and reconcile in a marriage. In Matthew 18: 21-22, Jesus speaks of the need to forgive one another in marriage. This passage encourages married couples to be merciful and forgiving, even in difficult times.
What Does The Bible Say About Hope After Divorce?
The Bible speaks of the possibility of reconciliation after divorce. In 1 Corinthians 7:11, Paul speaks of the potential for reconciliation, suggesting that one spouse should remain unmarried if the other departs. This example of hope speaks to the possibility of reconciliation and healing in a marriage.
The Bible also speaks of God’s love and mercy. In Psalm 103: 1-3, David speaks of God’s love and mercy, which never ceases and never fails. This psalm provides a reminder of God’s unconditional love and mercy, and that no sin is beyond his forgiveness.
In Matthew 5:44-45, Jesus speaks of the importance of loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us. This passage speaks to the need to love and forgive even those who have hurt us, or with whom we disagree.
It is also important to remember that God is in control of all things. In Romans 8: 28, Paul speaks of how God works all things for good for those who love him. This passage is a reminder that God can use difficult and painful moments for his own good and his glory.
Finally, in 2 Corinthians 6: 2-3, Paul speaks of how God will be with us in our times of weakness. This verse speaks to the fact that God will never leave us and will always provide us with strength.
What Does The Bible Say About Practical Solutions To Divorce?
The Bible speaks of the importance of taking practical steps to prevent and manage divorce. In Deuteronomy 24:5, God speaks of the importance of maintaining the sanctity of marriage and living together faithfully. This is a reminder that the commitment to one another is important even before the marriage covenant is made.
The Bible also speaks of the need to cultivate love and respect. In 1 Peter 4: 8-9, Peter speaks of the need to cultivate a spirit of love and sincerely respect our partners in marriage. This passage encourages married couples to love and respect one another, even in difficult times.
In Matthew 7:12, Jesus speaks of the importance of treating others with kindness and compassion. This passage is a reminder that it is important to handle disagreements with understanding and mutual respect.
The Bible also speaks of the need to seek wise counsel. In James 1:5, the Bible speaks of how those who lack wisdom should seek advice and counsel from those who have a wise and understanding heart. This passage encourages spouses to seek wise counsel and advice when dealing with difficult marital issues.
Finally, the Bible speaks of the importance of prayer. In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul speaks of the importance of prayer and of committing our needs and requests to God. This verse is a reminder that prayer and reliance on the Lord is an important practice in the midst hardship.
What Does The Bible Say About Healthy Communication in Marriage?
The Bible speaks of the importance of communication in marriage. In Ephesians 4:29, Paul speaks of the need to use kind and compassionate words when speaking to one another. This passage is a reminder that kind, respectful communication is essential in a healthy marriage.
The Bible also speaks of the need to be honest and truthful in one’s communication. In Proverbs 12:19, the Bible speaks of how truth leads to pleasant words. This verse encourages spouses to be honest and truthful in their communication with one another.
The Bible also speaks of the importance of understanding and patience. In Proverbs 15:18, the Bible speaks of the importance of understanding and being slow to anger. This verse encourages patience and understanding when facing disagreement or tension.
In Proverbs 16:32, the Bible speaks of the need to be slow to speak and quick to listen. This verse is a reminder that it is important to first listen and try to understand the other person’s point of view before responding.
Finally, in Proverbs 10:12, the Bible speaks of the need to use wise and helpful words when speaking to one another. This passage is a reminder that it is important to be wise and helpful when addressing our spouse in times of disagreement or tension.
