What Does the Bible Say About Divorce — Meaning Explained

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.