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Remarriage After Divorce in the Church Today

The question of remarriage after divorce in the church today is complex, rooted in biblical texts that address both the permanence of marriage and specific exceptions. Jesus himself affirmed the original charter of marriage as instituted in Paradise, where man and woman become "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24), a union confirmed by Christ as the basis for all regulations (Matthew 19:4-5) [4]. This original design implies monogamy and a lifelong commitment [4].

However, the Mosaic law permitted divorce (Deuteronomy 24:1), which Jesus attributed to the "hardness of heart" of the people (Matthew 19:8) [1]. While the Jews often sought divorce on slight grounds, Jesus limited the permission for divorce to the single case of sexual immorality (Matthew 19:9) [1, 5]. Mark's Gospel records Jesus stating that if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery (Mark 10:12) [6]. Similarly, 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" [2]. These precepts from Christ are understood to regulate the law of divorce within the Christian Church [5].

Regarding remarriage, the Old Testament allowed for it after divorce (Deuteronomy 24:2), though a woman who married after divorce could not return to her first husband (Deuteronomy 24:3-4) [1]. In the New Testament, the apostle Paul addresses the issue of widows remarrying. In 1 Timothy 5:11, Paul advises younger widows to marry, stating that "when they have grown wanton in Christ, they will marry" [3]. This counsel is interpreted by some as a recommendation for younger widows to remarry to avoid idleness and sexual passion, and to prevent them from speaking against the faith [15, 16]. Matthew Henry notes that the marriage contract is for life, annulled only by death, but upon the husband's death, a widow is "at liberty to marry whom she will" [17]. This indicates that second marriages are not unlawful for widows [17].

The specific conditions under which remarriage is permissible after divorce remain a point of discussion among Christian traditions. The exception clause in Matthew 19:9 ("except for sexual immorality") is central to these discussions [2]. Some interpretations understand "sexual immorality" (Greek: porneia) broadly to include various sexual sins, while others interpret it more narrowly. The implication of this exception is that if a divorce occurs on the grounds of sexual immorality, remarriage for the innocent party may be permissible without committing adultery. However, marrying a divorced person who was not divorced on these grounds is still considered adultery in this passage [2].

The church, as the body of Christ, is called to unity and harmonious relationships (1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Colossians 3:15) [7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14]. This emphasis on unity and the sacredness of marriage informs the pastoral approach to divorce and remarriage, aiming to uphold biblical principles while ministering to individuals in complex situations.

Sources

  1. 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,”
  2. 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”
  3. I Timothy “I Timothy 5:11 (DRC) — But the younger widows avoid. For when they have grown wanton in Christ, they will marry:”
  4. 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”
  5. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Divorce — The dissolution of the marriage tie was regulated by the Mosaic law (Deut. 24:1-4). The Jews, after the Captivity, were reguired to dismiss the foreign women they had married contrary to the law (Ezra 10:11-19). Christ limited the permission of divorce to the single case of adultery. It seems that it was not uncommon for the Jews at that time to dissolve the union on very slight pretences (Matt. 5:31, 32; 19:1-9; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:18). These precepts given by Christ regulate the law of divorce in the Christian Church.”
  6. Mark “If a woman herself divorces her husband, and marries another, she commits adultery.” -- Mark 10:12”
  7. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:12: 12:12-31 The church is like a body (see 12:27) composed of many different parts, each with its own function as determined by God (see 12:11, 18, 28; Rom 12:4-5).”
  8. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 12:27: members in particular--that is, severally members of it. Each church is in miniature what the whole aggregate of churches is collectively, "the body of Christ" (compare Co1 3:16): and its individual components are members, every one in his assigned place.”
  9. 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 12:20: But now are they many members,.... Of different make and shape, in different parts and places, and of different use and service: yet but one body; all are united together, and make up one complete body, and which without each of them would not be perfect: so there are many members in the body of Christ, the church; some are teachers, others are hearers; some give, and others receive; but all make up but one church, of which Christ is the head; nor can anyone of them be spared; was anyone wanting, even the meanest, there would be a deficiency, and the church ”
  10. Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:15: 3:15 Just as Christ is one, so there can be only one body of Christ (see 1:18; Eph 4:4-6). Allegiance to Jesus as Lord must transcend differences and will result in peace (harmonious relationships).”
  11. Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 3:28: 3:28 There is no longer: Everyone comes to Christ and receives God’s promises in exactly the same way (cp. 1 Cor 12:12-13; Eph 2:14; Col 3:11). • male and female: Cp. Gen 1:27. • you are all one: The community of believers is one body, the body of Christ (see Rom 12:4-5; 1 Cor 12:27; Eph 2:15-16, 19-22). • in Christ Jesus: See Col 2:6–3:11.”
  12. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:25: 12:25-26 The church is a unified body, so harmony and care for each other in the church is essential.”
  13. 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 12:14: For the body is not one member - The mystical body, the Church, as well as the natural body, is composed of many members.”
  14. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:21: 2:21 Joined together in Christ, Gentile and Jewish Christians become a holy temple for the Lord, because the Lord himself is among his people (see Matt 18:20; 28:20; 1 Cor 3:16; 1 Pet 2:4-5).”
  15. 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”
  16. 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).”
  17. 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”
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