Biblical Guidelines for Second Marriages and Remarriage
Biblical guidelines for second marriages and remarriage address various circumstances, with the foundational principle of marriage established in Genesis. Marriage was instituted in Paradise (Genesis 2:18-24) and confirmed by Jesus as the basis for all regulations [3]. This original charter emphasizes the unity and indissolubility of the marriage bond, as well as monogamy [1, 3].
However, the Bible also acknowledges situations where remarriage is permitted or even encouraged. The Mosaic Law allowed for divorce, particularly due to "hardness of heart," and permitted women to remarry after divorce [2]. For instance, Deuteronomy 24:2 states that a woman could marry after divorce [2].
Jesus, in Matthew 19:9, states, "whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she is divorced commits adultery" [4]. This passage indicates that sexual immorality (πορνεία, porneia) is a legitimate ground for divorce, after which remarriage would not be considered adultery.
In the case of widowhood, remarriage is explicitly permitted and, for younger widows, even advised. Paul, in 1 Timothy 5:14, counsels younger widows to "marry, have children, and manage their households" [5]. This advice is given to prevent idleness and potential slander [6, 7]. Matthew Henry notes that "death only can annul the bond" of marriage, and upon the husband's death, the widow "is at liberty to marry whom she will" [8]. There is no biblical limitation on the number of times a person may marry after the death of a spouse [8].
The Old Testament also contains specific provisions regarding remarriage, such as the levirate marriage law in Deuteronomy 25:5, where a brother was to marry his deceased brother's widow to raise up offspring for the deceased [9]. This practice highlights the importance of family lineage and continuity within ancient Israelite society [9].
While the Bible upholds the sanctity and permanence of marriage, it also provides guidance for remarriage in specific circumstances, primarily after the death of a spouse or in cases of divorce due to sexual immorality.
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Marriage — + Its origin and history .--The institution of marriage dates from the time of man's original creation. (Genesis 2:18-25) From (Genesis 2:24) we may evolve the following principles: (1) The unity of man and wife, as implied in her being formed out of man. (2) The indissolubleness of the marriage bond, except on; the strongest grounds, Comp. (Matthew 19:9) (3) Monogamy, as the original law of marriage (4) The social equality of man and wife. (5) The subordination of the wife to the husband. (1 Corinthians 11:8,9; 1 Timothy 2:13) (6) The respective duties of ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Divorce — Law of marriage against -- Ge 2:24; Mt 19:6. Permitted By the Mosaic law. -- De 24:1. On account of hardness of heart. -- Mt 19:8. Often sought by the Jews -- Mic 2:9; Mal 2:14. Sought on slight grounds -- Mt 5:31; 19:3. Not allowed to those who falsely accused their wives -- De 22:18,19. Women Could obtain. -- Pr 2:17; Mr 10:12. Could marry after. -- De 24:2. Responsible for vows after. -- Nu 30:9. Married after, could not return to first husband. -- De 24:3,4; Jer 3:1. Afflicted by. -- Isa 54:4,6. Priests not to marry women after -- Le 21:14. Of servants,”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Marriage — Was instituted in Paradise when man was in innocence (Gen. 2:18-24). Here we have its original charter, which was confirmed by our Lord, as the basis on which all regulations are to be framed (Matt. 19:4, 5). It is evident that monogamy was the original law of marriage (Matt. 19:5; 1 Cor. 6:16). This law was violated in after times, when corrupt usages began to be introduced (Gen. 4:19; 6:2). We meet with the prevalence of polygamy and concubinage in the patriarchal age (Gen. 16:1-4; 22:21-24; 28:8, 9; 29:23-30, etc.). Polygamy was acknowledged in the Mosa”
- Matthew “I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she is divorced commits adultery.” -- Matthew 19:9”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 5:14 (BSB) — So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 5:14: younger women--rather, as ellipsis ought to be supplied, "the younger widows," namely younger widows in general, as distinguished from the older widows taken on the roll of presbyteresses (Ti1 5:9). The "therefore" means seeing that young widows are exposed to such temptations, "I will," or "desire," &c. (Ti1 5:11-13). The precept here that they should marry again is not inconsistent with Co1 7:40; for the circumstances of the two cases were distinct (compare Co1 7:26). Here remarriage is recommended as an antidote to sexual passion, idleness, and t”
- 1 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Timothy 5:14: 5:14 Paul is advising younger widows to remarry—and to marry believers (5:11-12; cp. 2:15). • not . . . say anything against them: Their actions were hurting their testimony for the Good News (see 1 Thes 4:11-12; Titus 2:8).”
- 1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 7:39: The whole is here closed up with advice to widows: As long as the husband liveth the wife is bound by the law, confined to one husband, and bound to continue and cohabit with him. Note, The marriage - contract is for life; death only can annul the bond. But, the husband being dead, she is at liberty to marry whom she will. There is no limitation by God's law to be married only for such a number of times. It is certain, from this passage, that second marriages are not unlawful; for then the widow could not be at liberty to marry whom she pleased, nor to marr”
- Deuteronomy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 25:5: Here is, I. The law settled concerning the marrying of the brother's widow. It appears from the story of Judah's family that this had been an ancient usage (Gen 38:8), for the keeping up of distinct families. The case put is a case that often happens, of a man's dying without issue, it may be in the prime of his time, soon after his marriage, and while his brethren were yet so young as to be unmarried. Now in this case, 1. The widow was not to marry again into any other family, unless all the relations of her husband did refuse her, that the estate she was en”