Does the Bible Allow Christians to Divorce and Remarry?

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Episode Summary

Sadly, divorce is common in the church. However, out of fear of offending their congregations, many pastors have remained silent on the biblical doctrine of divorce. In this episode, Dale and Veronica unpack Jesus’s words on divorce with truth and grace.

Unfortunately, the divorce rate in the church is similar to that of the culture. As a result, many Christians see nothing wrong with divorce. However, the Bible clearly addresses separation, remarriage, and divorce. In this episode, Dale and Veronica unpack the Bible’s teaching on this matter with truth and grace.

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In addition to our teaching time, we usually answer one-two critical questions from our listening audience. If we had a Q&A in this episode you can view those questions at the bottom of this page and hear our responses at the closing of this episode. Also, if you have a question you would like answered on the show, please email us at support@ultimatemarriage.com.

Scripture From This Episode

  • 1 Corinthians 7:10-16 “Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. 11 But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife. 12 But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. 13 And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. 15 But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace. 16 For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?”
  • Deuteronomy 24:1 “When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens that she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some uncleanness in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand, and sends her out of his house.”
  • Mark 10:10-12 “Therefore what God has joined together, let no man separate. 11 In the house His disciples also asked Him again about the same matter. 11 So He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. 12 And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”
  • Matthew 5:31-32 “Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery;. and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.”
  • Malachi 2:16 “For the Lord God of Israel says, I hate divorce.”
  • 1 Peter 3:1-2 “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.”

Questions Answered In This Episode

  • No questions in this episode

This Week’s Memory Verse

  • 1 Corinthians 7:10-16 “Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. 11 But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife. 12 But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. 13 And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. 15 But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace. 16 For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?”

Lastly, did anything stand out in this show? Do you have any comments, additions or questions? Let us know about them in the comments below.

Written By Dale Partridge
Dale is the co-founder and Editor in Chief at Ultimate Marriage. He is best known as a thought leader on biblical theology, family, and church practice. Currently, Dale is finishing his graduate studies at Western Seminary.
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