Remarriage After Unbiblical Divorce or Separation
The New Testament addresses remarriage after divorce, primarily through the teachings of Jesus and the Apostle Paul, with varying interpretations among Christian traditions. Jesus' teaching 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" [3]. This passage is central to discussions on the legitimacy of divorce and subsequent remarriage.
The Mosaic Law permitted divorce, as recorded in Deuteronomy 24:1-4 [1, 2]. However, Jesus clarified that this permission was granted "on account of hardness of heart" and that "from the beginning it was not so" (Matthew 19:8) [1]. He emphasized the original design of marriage as a permanent union (Matthew 19:6) [1, 11]. The "exception clause" in Matthew 5:32 and 19:9—"except for sexual immorality" (or "fornication")—is a key point of interpretation [3, 8, 10, 11]. This clause permits, but does not demand, divorce when one partner has been unfaithful [10]. Some interpretations suggest that divorcing for illegitimate reasons causes the divorced woman to commit adultery if she remarries, and marrying such a divorced woman also constitutes adultery [8, 10].
Mark's Gospel presents a more absolute statement, where Jesus says, "If a woman herself divorces her husband, and marries another, she commits adultery" (Mark 10:12) [4]. This suggests that Jesus' primary motivation was to reestablish the permanency of marriage [11].
The Apostle Paul also addresses remarriage, particularly in 1 Corinthians 7. While not directly about divorce, he discusses the situation of an unbelieving spouse departing. Adam Clarke's commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:15 suggests that if an unbelieving spouse "obstinately depart[s] and utterly refuse[s] all cohabitation," the believing spouse "is not under bondage to any particular laws, so as to be prevented from remarrying" [5]. However, Clarke notes that this interpretation might have been applicable then but not necessarily in his own time, where marriage could only be dissolved by death or ecclesiastical court [5].
Paul also advises younger widows to remarry in 1 Timothy 5:14, stating, "I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully" [6]. This counsel is given as an antidote to idleness and temptation, and it is understood that these marriages should be to believers [6, 7]. The "first faith" mentioned in 1 Timothy 5:12, which some widows are accused of casting off, refers to their pledge to Christ and the service of the Church, not necessarily a vow of perpetual celibacy [9]. This advice for widows to remarry is distinct from the circumstances surrounding divorce, as no barrier existed for ordinary widows to remarry after the death of a spouse [9].
Historically, the Jewish practice at the time of Christ allowed for divorce on "very slight pretences" [2]. Jesus' teachings significantly restricted these grounds, limiting them to sexual immorality [2, 11]. The dissolution of marriage was regulated by Mosaic law, and after the Captivity, Jews were even required to dismiss foreign wives married contrary to the law [2].
Different Christian traditions have interpreted these passages with varying degrees of strictness. The Church of Rome, for instance, traditionally holds that the innocent party after a just divorce may not lawfully marry again, while the Greek and Protestant churches have held different views [8]. The implication of Jesus' teaching is that unlawful divorce and subsequent remarriage constitute adultery, emphasizing the sanctity and permanence of the marriage covenant [3, 11].
Sources
- 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: 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.”
- 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”
- Mark “If a woman herself divorces her husband, and marries another, she commits adultery.” -- Mark 10:12”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 7:15: But if the unbelieving, depart - Whether husband or wife: if such obstinately depart and utterly refuse all cohabitation, a brother or a sister - a Christian man or woman, is not under bondage to any particular laws, so as to be prevented from remarrying. Such, probably, the law stood then; but it is not so now; for the marriage can only be dissolved by death, or by the ecclesiastical court. Even fornication or adultery does not dissolve the marriage contract; nor will the obstinate separation of any of the parties, however long continued, give the party aban”
- 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).”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 5:32: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery--that is, drives her into it in case she marries again. and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced--for anything short of conjugal infidelity. committeth adultery--for if the commandment is broken by the one party, it must be by the other also. But see on Mat 19:4-9. Whether the innocent party, after a just divorce, may lawfully marry again, is not treated of here. The Church of Rome says, No; but the Greek and Protes”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 5:12: Having--Bringing on themselves, and so having to bear as a burden (Gal 5:10) judgment from God (compare Ti1 3:6), weighing like a load on them. cast off their first faith--namely, pledged to Christ and the service of the Church. There could be no hardship at the age of sixty or upwards in not marrying again (end of Ti1 5:9), for the sake of serving better the cause of Christ as presbyteresses; though, to ordinary widows, no barrier existed against remarriage (Co1 7:39). This is altogether distinct from Rome's unnatural vows of celibacy in the case”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 5:32: 5:32 The exception clause permits but does not demand divorce when one partner has been unfaithful (see also 19:9). Notably, Jesus does not demand death for the guilty party (see Deut 22:21-22). • The implication seems to be that by divorcing his wife for illegitimate reasons, the man causes her to commit adultery by wrongly putting her in a situation where she remarries and so breaks the law. • anyone who marries a divorced woman: It is not clear whether Jesus is referring to any woman who is divorced, regardless of the reason, or only to a woman who is divorced”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 19:9: 19:9 Jesus permits only one legitimate reason for a man to divorce: if his wife has been unfaithful (see 5:32). In the face of those who thought divorce could be taken lightly, Jesus affirms God’s created order: Marriage was designed to be permanent (see Mark 10:11-12). • commits adultery: This speaks only of the man who divorces his wife unlawfully. In such a case, his remarriage is adulterous. Jesus’ motivation is to reestablish the permanency of marriage.”