The Bible, Divorce and Remarriage
To say that divorce is rampant in America is an understatement. According to statistics, approximately half of all marriages granted in our country, end in divorce. This does not mean that fifty percent of people who marry get divorced. Many marry and never divorce, while others marry and divorce more than once. Therefore, it would not be accurate to say that a person who marries only has a fifty percent chance of avoiding divorce. It is true that about half of “all marriages granted,” end in divorce, but some of those marriages which end in divorce include those who have been married and divorced already. Regardless of how the statistical information is analyzed, divorce is a serious problem in our day.
One reason divorce is a “problem” is that divorce hurts those going through the divorce and their families. Children are often involved, and they are innocent victims who are emotionally distressed and injured by this dramatic change within their homes.
Another reason divorce is problematic is that many divorce for unscriptural reasons. Some not only divorce without scriptural grounds, but also compound the problem by marrying a second time. One who divorces without scriptural authority does not have scriptural grounds for remarriage.
According to the Bible, there are three classes of people who may marry with God’s approval: 1) those who have never married (I Corinthians 7:1-2); 2) those whose spouses have died may remarry an eligible marriage partner (Romans 7:2-3); 3) those who put away their spouses for the sin of fornication.
Jesus taught that if one’s spouse is guilty of fornication, the innocent party may divorce and remarry with God’s approval: “Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery” (Matthew 19:9). Fornication is defined as “illicit sexual intercourse.” Jesus clearly taught that this is “the” exception that allows for divorce and remarriage. Therefore, unless one has put away a husband or wife who is guilty of fornication, one has no right to remarry.
It matters not who “approves” divorce for another reason. Jesus gave one exception. Yet, people often trash their marriage vows because they “no longer love” their spouses. This often means, “I have found someone else to whom I am attracted, and I will be with this person regardless of who it hurts or what God has said about it.”
Friends, marriage is for life. Choose carefully. When you say “I do,” you have made a commitment. Be faithful to your vows. Work through problems. Marriage is what you make it.
