Bible Verses About Divorce

"For the Lord, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away."

"What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."

"But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit 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."

"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 unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband."

"Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery."

"For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name."

"The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus."

What does the Bible say about divorce?

Divorce is one of the most painful experiences in life—and one the Bible addresses with both truth and compassion. God's ideal is lifelong marriage, but Scripture also acknowledges the reality of hardened hearts and broken covenants. Key King James Version passages include Malachi 2:16, Matthew 19:6, Matthew 5:32. This page collects 10 KJV verses about divorce, each quoted in full.

Does God allow divorce?

God's ideal is lifelong marriage (Matthew 19:6), but Jesus acknowledged exceptions for sexual immorality (Matthew 5:32), and Paul mentioned abandonment by an unbelieving spouse (1 Corinthians 7:15). Many scholars also recognize abuse as grounds for separation. Divorce is always painful, but in some cases it may be the lesser of two harms.

Can divorced people remarry?

This is debated among Christians. Matthew 19:9 permits remarriage after divorce for sexual immorality. First Corinthians 7:15 may imply freedom to remarry after abandonment. Most agree that where genuine repentance has occurred and lessons have been learned, God's grace extends to new beginnings. Seek pastoral counsel for your specific situation.

How do I help my children through divorce?

Be honest at age-appropriate levels, reassure them it's not their fault, maintain consistent routines, avoid speaking negatively about the other parent, and keep pointing them to God's faithfulness. Psalm 68:6 says 'God setteth the solitary in families' — He will be their stability.

Does God forgive divorce?

While God 'hates divorce' (Malachi 2:16) because of its destructive effects, divorce is not the unforgivable sin. God's grace covers all confessed sin (1 John 1:9). Many divorced individuals find restoration, healing, and renewed purpose in Christ.