What Does the Bible Say About Divorce?
What Does the Bible Say About Divorce? The Bible teaches that God hates divorce but permits it in cases of sexual immorality and abandonment by an unbelieving spouse.
Key verse: Matthew 19:8-9 (KJV)
The Bible teaches that God hates divorce but permits it in cases of sexual immorality and abandonment by an unbelieving spouse.
The Bible teaches that God hates divorce but permits it in cases of sexual immorality and abandonment by an unbelieving spouse.
"He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery." — Matthew 19:8-9 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
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The Biblical Answer
God's original design was for marriage to be permanent — 'What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder' (Matthew 19:6). Malachi 2:16 expresses God's heart: 'For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away.' However, Jesus acknowledged that Moses permitted divorce 'because of the hardness of your hearts' (Matthew 19:8). Jesus taught that the only legitimate ground for divorce was 'fornication' (sexual immorality) — Matthew 19:9. Paul added a second exception in 1 Corinthians 7:15: if an unbelieving spouse departs, 'a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases.' These two exceptions — sexual immorality and abandonment — are the biblical grounds for divorce. Even when divorce is permitted, it is never commanded, and reconciliation is always the preferred outcome. God extends grace and healing to those who have experienced divorce. The church should be a place of compassion, not condemnation, for those walking through this painful experience while still upholding God's ideal for marriage.
Topic Overview
What Does the Bible Say About Divorce?
What the Bible teaches about divorce, remarriage, and God's heart for marriage.
Key Scripture References
"He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery."
"But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace."
"For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
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The Bible presents marriage as a sacred covenant between a man and a woman, designed by God to reflect Christ's relationship with the church.
Can God Forgive Any Sin?
Yes — the Bible teaches that God's grace is sufficient to forgive any sin when a person repents and believes in Christ.
What Does the Bible Say About Love?
The Bible defines love not as a feeling but as a sacrificial choice — modeled perfectly by God's gift of His Son.
What Does the Bible Say About Raising Children?
The Bible instructs parents to train children in God's ways through teaching, discipline, love, and personal example.
What Does the Bible Say About Children?
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Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
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Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Matthew. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Matthew on day 284 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Does the Bible Say About Divorce?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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