Introduction

Divorce is a significant topic within Christian teachings, addressed directly by Jesus and the Apostle Paul in the New Testament. The Bible provides guidance on the sanctity of marriage, the conditions under which divorce may be permissible, and the spiritual implications of dissolving a marital union. This entry explores the biblical teachings on divorce, primarily focusing on the teachings of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels and the apostolic instructions found in the Epistles.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament provides the foundational context for understanding divorce in biblical times. Deuteronomy 24:1-4 outlines the Mosaic Law regarding divorce, permitting a man to write a certificate of divorce if he finds "some indecency" in his wife. This provision was intended to regulate divorce practices and protect the rights of women in a patriarchal society. However, the exact interpretation of "some indecency" was debated among Jewish scholars, leading to varying applications of the law.

Jesus' Teaching on Divorce

Jesus addresses the issue of divorce in the Gospels, emphasizing the sanctity and permanence of marriage. In Matthew 19:3-9, the Pharisees question Jesus about the legality of divorce for any reason. Jesus responds by referring to the creation narrative, stating, "Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'?" (Matthew 19:4-5). Jesus underscores that marriage is a divine institution, intended to be a lifelong union.

Jesus further clarifies that divorce was permitted by Moses due to the hardness of human hearts but was not part of God's original design. He states, "I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery" (Matthew 19:9). This teaching highlights that sexual immorality is the only legitimate ground for divorce, emphasizing the seriousness of the marital covenant.

In Mark 10:2-12, Jesus reiterates this teaching, emphasizing that both men and women are equally bound by the marital covenant and that remarriage after divorce constitutes adultery, except in cases of sexual immorality.

Pauline Instructions on Divorce

The Apostle Paul provides additional guidance on divorce in his letters to the early Christian communities. In 1 Corinthians 7:10-16, Paul addresses married couples, instructing them not to divorce. He writes, "To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife" (1 Corinthians 7:10-11).

Paul acknowledges situations where a believer is married to an unbeliever. He advises that if the unbelieving spouse consents to live with the believer, they should not divorce. However, if the unbelieving spouse chooses to leave, the believer is "not bound in such circumstances" (1 Corinthians 7:15), suggesting that abandonment by an unbelieving partner may be a valid ground for divorce.

Conclusion

The biblical teachings on divorce emphasize the sanctity and permanence of marriage, allowing for divorce only under specific circumstances such as sexual immorality or abandonment by an unbelieving spouse. These teachings call believers to uphold the marriage covenant and seek reconciliation whenever possible, reflecting the divine intention for marriage as a lifelong union.