Can Divorced People Remarry — Meaning Explained

Jesus taught, 'Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery' (Matthew 19:9). The exception clause — 'except it be for fornication' — indicates that sexual immorality by a spouse constitutes legitimate grounds for divorce, and the divorced innocent party may remarry without sin. Paul adds 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.' 'Not under bondage' is understood by many scholars as freedom to remarry. God's ideal is lifelong marriage: 'What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder' (Matthew 19:6). Malachi 2:16 says God 'hateth putting away.' Divorce always involves brokenness and pain. Yet God is a God of grace who restores the broken. The church should uphold marriage's sanctity while extending compassion to those who have experienced its failure.