What Does the Bible Say About Marriage and Divorce?
What Does the Bible Say About Marriage and Divorce? God designed marriage as a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman; divorce is permitted in limited circumstances but was never God's original intent.
Key verse: Matthew 19:6 (KJV)
God designed marriage as a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman; divorce is permitted in limited circumstances but was never God's original intent.
God designed marriage as a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman; divorce is permitted in limited circumstances but was never God's original intent.
"What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." — Matthew 19:6 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
Marriage was established at creation when God declared, 'It is not good that the man should be alone' and created Eve as Adam's companion (Genesis 2:18). Jesus affirmed this foundation: 'What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder' (Matthew 19:6). Paul compares marriage to Christ's relationship with the church (Ephesians 5:25-33), elevating it to a sacred illustration of divine love. On divorce, Moses permitted it because of 'hardness of hearts' (Matthew 19:8), but Jesus restricted it, saying 'whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery' (Matthew 19:9). Paul adds that if an unbelieving spouse departs, the believer is 'not under bondage' (1 Corinthians 7:15). While God 'hateth putting away' (Malachi 2:16), He also extends grace and restoration to the divorced. The biblical ideal remains a loving, faithful, lifelong union that mirrors Christ's unfailing love for His people.
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
"What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."
"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it."
"For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Does the Bible Say About Love?
The Bible teaches that God is love, that He demonstrated love by sending His Son, and that love for God and neighbor is the greatest commandment.
What Does the Bible Say About Children?
The Bible describes children as a blessing from God, commands parents to raise them in the faith, and records Jesus welcoming and blessing little children.
What does the Bible say about forgiveness?
The Bible teaches that God freely forgives those who repent and that believers must forgive others as they have been forgiven — not seven times, but seventy times seven.
What Does the Bible Say About Marriage?
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.
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.
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
What Does the Bible Say About Divorce?
Marriage & Family
Can Divorced People Remarry?
Marriage & Family
What Does the Bible Say About Divorce?
Marriage & Family
Marriage Struggles
Scriptures for couples navigating conflict, distance, or difficulty in their mar
Going Through Divorce
Scriptures for comfort, healing, and hope during and after the pain of divorce.
Bible Verses About Divorce
10 curated KJV verses
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 Marriage and Divorce?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
Frequently Asked Questions
Keep Going
Continue Exploring Scripture
You've found one resource — here are more ways to go deeper into God's Word.
Today's Verse
Start each day with a hand-picked KJV verse and reflection.
Verses by Topic
Find what the Bible says about love, anxiety, strength, and 500+ more topics.
Bible Miracles
Discover the signs and wonders of God recorded in Scripture.
Angels & Spiritual Warfare
Angels, demons, and the armor of God — what the KJV really teaches about the unseen battle.
Bible Genealogies & Family Trees
Visual KJV family trees — the line of Jesus, the sons of Noah, the twelve tribes, and more.
Women of the Bible
Eve, Sarah, Ruth, Esther, Mary — the matriarchs, prophetesses, queens, and disciples of Scripture.