The bible has much to say about divorce and adultery, and these verses serve as a reminder of God’s stance on these issues. The Bible speaks to the pain of divorce and the consequences of adultery, but also offers hope for renewal and reconciliation. From Jesus’ words on divorce in the Gospels to Paul’s instructions in the New Testament letters, these scriptures offer guidance and comfort for those who have experienced or are experiencing divorce or adultery.”But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.” -Matthew 5:32
“And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.” – Luke 16:18
Contents
- 1 Adultery and Divorce in the Bible
- 2 What Does the Bible Say About Divorcing Someone Who Committed Adultery?
- 3 God’s Plan for Marriage and Divorce in the Bible
- 4 Biblical Teaching on Divorce and Remarriage Due to Adultery
- 5 The Sins of Adultery and Divorce in the Bible
- 6 Marital Infidelity and Divorce
- 7 Conclusion
Adultery and Divorce in the Bible
The Bible has a clear stance on adultery and divorce. In the Old Testament, the Ten Commandments explicitly prohibit adultery (Exodus 20:14). In the New Testament, Jesus reiterated that same commandment and even went further to say that lust is akin to adultery (Matthew 5:27-28). This shows us that God views adultery as a serious offense.
In terms of divorce, the Bible allows it under certain conditions. If one partner has been unfaithful or abusive, then divorce is seen as an appropriate action. Jesus said “Whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery” (Matthew 19:9). This means that if one partner has committed adultery, the other partner is allowed to seek a divorce.
The Bible also emphasizes the importance of reconciliation in marriage. In Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus encourages couples to try to work through their differences before seeking a divorce. He says “if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother” (vs 15-17). This suggests that couples should attempt to reconcile before taking such drastic measures as getting a divorce.
Overall, the Bible takes a clear stance on both adultery and divorce. Adultery is seen as an offense against God’s law and should be avoided at all costs. However, if one party has committed such an offense or is abusive towards their spouse, then they may be allowed to seek a divorce. The Bible also encourages couples to try their best to reconcile before taking such drastic measures as getting a divorce.
What Does the Bible Say About Divorcing Someone Who Committed Adultery?
The Bible is clear about the fact that adultery is a sin. However, it does not explicitly say whether or not a person can divorce their spouse for committing adultery. The Bible does make it clear, however, that God hates divorce and that it should only be used as a last resort.
The Bible states in Malachi 2:16 “‘For I hate divorce,’ says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘and him who covers his garment with wrong,’ says the Lord of Hosts. So take heed to your spirit that you do not deal treacherously.” This verse clearly communicates God’s feelings towards divorce and how He views those who use it to cover their wrongs.
Matthew 19:8-9 also states “He said to them, ‘Moses allowed you to divorce your wives because of your hardheartedness; but from the beginning it has not been this way. And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, and marries another commits adultery.” This passage indicates that Jesus recognizes that adultery is a serious sin and allows for divorce as long as it is done on the grounds of sexual immorality.
While these passages indicate that God allows for divorce if one spouse has committed adultery, He still wants couples to make every effort to reconcile their marriage if possible. In many cases, couples are able to work through issues such as infidelity and stay together in spite of what happened in their past. It is important for couples who have experienced infidelity in their relationship to seek professional help and counseling if needed so they can work through the issues they are facing together.
God’s Plan for Marriage and Divorce in the Bible
The Bible has a lot to say about marriage and divorce. According to the book of Genesis, God created marriage as a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman. God intended for marriage to be a loving, fulfilling, and permanent relationship between husband and wife.
In the Old Testament, God allowed divorce in cases of adultery or abandonment. Jesus taught that divorce could only be granted due to sexual immorality (Matthew 19:9). He also reinforced the importance of marriage by saying that anyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery (Mark 10:11-12).
In the New Testament, Paul wrote that if one spouse is an unbeliever, or if they are being mistreated physically or emotionally, then the other spouse can seek a separation (1 Corinthians 7:15). He also encouraged couples to remain together if possible, even if they had difficulties in their relationship (1 Corinthians 7:10-11).
It is clear from Scripture that God wants spouses to remain faithful to each other and work through conflicts in their marriage. He does not want couples to enter into divorce lightly. However, He also recognizes that sometimes marriages cannot be saved due to difficult circumstances such as adultery or abuse. In these cases, God offers grace and compassion for those who are suffering.
Understanding God’s View of Divorce and Adultery
The Bible makes it clear that God does not approve of divorce or adultery, but He does provide some guidance on how to deal with them in certain circumstances. In the Old Testament, Deuteronomy 24:1-4 gives some guidelines for when a man may divorce his wife. It also states that if a man divorces his wife for any other reason than the stated ones, he has committed adultery against her. In the New Testament, Jesus tells us that whoever divorces their spouse and marries another commits adultery (Matthew 19:9).
God also provides guidance in situations where one spouse may have committed adultery. According to the Bible, a husband or wife may choose to forgive their spouse and remain married if they are truly repentant (Matthew 6:14-15). However, if the offending spouse refuses to repent and reconcile with their partner, then the offended spouse may choose to divorce them (Matthew 19:9). While God does not condone divorce or adultery, He understands that there are sometimes difficult circumstances which require difficult decisions.
Ultimately, it is important for Christians to remember that God is a loving and forgiving God who desires us to live in peace and harmony with one another. If you or someone you know is struggling with issues related to divorce or adultery, it is important to seek help from qualified Christian counselors who can provide sound advice from a biblical perspective.
Biblical Teaching on Divorce and Remarriage Due to Adultery
The Bible makes it clear that God intended marriage to be a lifelong relationship between one man and one woman. In the case of adultery, however, the Bible does provide some guidance about divorce and remarriage. The Old Testament book of Deuteronomy 24:1-4 states that if a man divorces his wife because he finds something “indecent” about her, then she can remarry another man. This passage does not specifically refer to adultery but can be interpreted as such.
In the New Testament, Jesus takes a more strict stance on divorce and remarriage due to adultery. In Matthew 5:32, Jesus states that anyone who divorces their spouse because of adultery and marries someone else commits adultery themselves. This is reiterated in Matthew 19:9 where Jesus says that if someone divorces his or her spouse for any reason other than sexual immorality (adultery) then they are committing adultery upon remarrying.
In conclusion, it is clear from the Bible that God views marriage as a lifelong commitment between one man and one woman. While there is some allowance for divorce and remarriage due to adultery, Jesus goes so far as to say that anyone who divorces their spouse for any other reason than sexual immorality upon remarrying is committing adultery themselves.
The Sins of Adultery and Divorce in the Bible
Adultery and divorce are two of the most commonly discussed topics in the Bible. In both Old and New Testaments, adultery is strictly condemned, while divorce is allowed under certain circumstances.
The Bible takes a firm stance against adultery, which it defines as a married person engaging in sexual relations with someone other than their spouse. This is seen as a violation of God’s commandment to not commit adultery (Exodus 20:14). In the Old Testament, severe punishments such as stoning were prescribed for adulterers, while in the New Testament Jesus taught that those who commit adultery are guilty before God (Matthew 5:27-28).
Divorce is another topic that is discussed in the Bible. While Jesus taught that divorce should be avoided if at all possible (Matthew 19:5-6), he also acknowledged that it could happen in cases where one partner had committed adultery (Matthew 19:9). In such cases, Jesus allowed for divorce because of the sin of adultery that had been committed. However, even in these cases Jesus stressed the importance of maintaining peace and avoiding bitterness (Matthew 5:31-32).
In summary, while both adultery and divorce are frowned upon by God, he allows for divorce under certain circumstances. He also stresses the importance of maintaining peace and avoiding bitterness when it comes to matters of marriage.
Marital Infidelity and Divorce
The Bible speaks out strongly against adultery, which is defined as having sexual intercourse with someone other than one’s husband or wife. In the Ten Commandments, God declares that “you shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14). In the New Testament, Jesus reiterates this commandment, saying that anyone who even looks upon another person with lust has already committed adultery in their heart (Matthew 5:27-28). This is an important reminder that marital infidelity does not only include physical acts of unfaithfulness but also includes any thoughts or desires towards another person that are outside of marriage.
The consequences of marital infidelity can be devastating to a marriage. It can lead to feelings of betrayal, hurt, anger, and resentment which can damage the trust and intimacy of a relationship. In many cases, it can lead to divorce as couples find it difficult to overcome the hurt they have experienced. The Bible recognizes this reality and offers guidance for those who have been victims of marital infidelity and are considering divorce.
Biblical Consequences of Marital Infidelity and Divorce
In the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy 24:1-4, God gives instructions for a man who has committed adultery with his wife. He must give her a certificate of divorce so that she may remarry if she wishes. This passage acknowledges that sometimes divorce is necessary when one partner has committed adultery. It also acknowledges that in these cases it would be wrong for the victimized spouse to remain married to their adulterous partner against their will.
However, while Deuteronomy 24 allows for divorce in cases where one partner has committed adultery, other passages in the Bible caution against it when possible (Malachi 2:16; Mark 10:11-12; 1 Corinthians 7:10-11). These passages emphasize the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation in marriage and encourage couples to seek help from others when they are struggling with their relationships. Ultimately, God’s desire is for couples to remain together in marriage if at all possible (Ephesians 5:21-33).
Conclusion
The Bible provides clear teachings on divorce and adultery. It is abundantly clear that God views them as serious offenses and that both parties are expected to repent for their sin. He also makes it clear that those who choose to remain in an adulterous relationship are subject to the consequences of their actions.
Ultimately, the Bible teaches us about the importance of maintaining a healthy marriage and warns us against straying from God’s plan. Divorce is a difficult decision and should only be considered after much prayer, thought, and consideration of all the consequences. It is important to remember that God can forgive any sin, but it must be done with a humble heart and sincere repentance.
Divorce is something we should never take lightly, but if it becomes necessary, we should strive to approach it with humility, grace, and understanding so that both parties can move forward in their lives in peace. We should always seek God’s guidance in our relationships and trust in His wisdom to provide us with direction when faced with difficult decisions.

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