The Bible contains various teachings and perspectives on divorce and remarriage, and interpretations can vary based on different Christian traditions and theological understandings. However, some general principles can be drawn from key Bible passages.
1. Matthew 19:3-9 – In this passage, Jesus discusses divorce with the Pharisees. He acknowledges that Moses permitted divorce because of the hardness of people’s hearts, but he emphasizes that from the beginning, God’s design for marriage was one man and one woman united for life. Jesus says that divorce and remarriage, except in cases of sexual immorality, is considered adultery.
– Matthew 19:9 (KJV) states: “And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except for the cause of fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.”
In this view, a divorced person may remarry if the divorce was due to infidelity (sexual immorality) by the spouse.
2. 1 Corinthians 7:10-15 – The Apostle Paul addresses married couples, encouraging them to remain together but also giving instructions for separation if necessary. He specifically mentions that if an unbelieving spouse departs, the believing spouse is not “bound” in that marriage. However, Paul encourages reconciliation where possible.
– 1 Corinthians 7:15 (NIV) says: “But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.”
This can be interpreted as allowing remarriage in cases where an unbelieving spouse leaves, although the specifics can vary depending on interpretation.
3. Romans 7:2-3 – Paul writes about the law and marriage, stating that a woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free to remarry without being considered an adulteress.
– Romans 7:2-3 (NIV) says: “For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law that binds her to him. So then, if she has sexual relations with another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.”
According to this passage, a divorced woman may remarry if her former spouse has died, as the marital bond is broken by death.
Summary of Key Points:
– Divorce and Remarriage After Infidelity: According to Matthew 19:9, a woman may remarry if her divorce was caused by her spouse’s sexual immorality (adultery).
– Divorce and Remarriage After Separation: 1 Corinthians 7 suggests that if an unbelieving spouse leaves, the believer is not bound and may remarry.
– Divorce and Remarriage After Death: According to Romans 7, a woman may remarry after her spouse has died, as the marital bond is dissolved through death.
Conclusion:
A divorced woman may remarry according to the Bible, but the conditions depend on the reasons for the divorce. If the divorce was due to adultery or abandonment by an unbelieving spouse, remarriage is permitted. However, if the divorce was for other reasons, some interpretations suggest that remarriage could be seen as adultery. The most accepted understanding is that divorce and remarriage are permissible under certain conditions, such as infidelity or the death of a spouse.
