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Remarriage in Scripture: Biblical Teachings and Guidelines

Marriage is presented in Scripture as a divinely instituted covenant relationship, established by God for the happiness of humanity, the increase of population, the raising of godly offspring, and the prevention of sexual immorality [4]. The Bible uses marriage as a symbol for the covenant relationship between God and his people [13, 14]. While the ideal of marriage is a lifelong union, the Scriptures also address circumstances where remarriage is considered.

In the Old Testament, marriage was understood as a foundational social institution. A man "takes to wife" (Exodus 2:1) and a woman becomes a "spouse" [3]. The concept of "affinity" describes the relationship created by marriage (1 Kings 3:1) [1]. A dowry was often given by the groom to the bride's family [2]. The prophet Isaiah uses the imagery of a young man marrying a virgin to describe God's rejoicing over his people (Isaiah 62:5) [5]. Jeremiah encourages the exiles to "take wives, and father sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there, and don’t be diminished" (Jeremiah 29:6) [7]. This demonstrates an expectation of marriage and family formation even in difficult circumstances.

The Old Testament law permitted divorce, and a "notice of divorce" was a document that allowed for remarriage [11]. For instance, Deuteronomy 24:1-4 outlines regulations concerning divorce and remarriage, though Jesus later challenged the misapplication of these provisions (Matthew 5:31-32) [11]. The "guide of her youth" in Proverbs 2:17 refers to a lawful husband, and the "covenant of her God" refers to the marriage made in God's name [10].

In the New Testament, Jesus addresses the issue of divorce and remarriage directly. In Matthew 19:9, Jesus states, "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" [6]. This passage is pivotal for understanding Christian perspectives on remarriage. Jesus permits divorce only on the grounds of porneia, often translated as "sexual immorality" or "unchastity" [6]. This exception clause is crucial, as it implies that in cases of sexual immorality, a divorce may be legitimate, and by extension, remarriage might be permissible for the innocent party. The Tyndale House commentary on Matthew 5:31-32 notes that Jesus challenges the casual divorce practices of his day, allowing only sexual infidelity as a legitimate reason for divorce [11].

The Apostle Paul also provides guidance on marriage and remarriage, particularly in 1 Corinthians 7. He affirms that marriage is "lawful in all" and "honourable for all" (Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 7:2, 28; 1 Timothy 5:14) [4]. Paul advises that marriage should be "only in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 7:39) [4].

Regarding remarriage after the death of a spouse, Paul explicitly states in 1 Corinthians 7:39, "A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, only in the Lord." This clearly permits remarriage for widows, provided they marry another believer.

Paul also addresses the situation of younger widows in 1 Timothy 5:14. one tradition writes, "So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander." The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary interprets this as a recommendation for younger widows to remarry as an "antidote to sexual passion, idleness, and temptation" [8]. The Tyndale House commentary similarly notes that Paul is advising younger widows to remarry, specifically to believers [9]. This advice is given in contrast to older widows who might be enrolled in the church's service and for whom remarriage might be less advisable due to their age and commitment [8, 15]. The concern was that younger widows might "cast off their first faith," referring to their pledge to Christ and the service of the church, if they did not remarry and were left vulnerable to temptation [15].

The issue of remarriage after divorce is more complex and has been interpreted in various ways throughout Christian history. Jesus's "exception clause" in Matthew 19:9 is central. Some interpretations hold that this clause permits remarriage for the innocent party in a divorce caused by sexual immorality. Other interpretations view divorce as permissible in such cases, but not necessarily remarriage, or they interpret porneia more broadly to include various forms of unchastity or even spiritual idolatry.

Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 states, "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." This passage emphasizes reconciliation and remaining unmarried if separation occurs. However, Paul then addresses situations involving an unbelieving spouse. In 1 Corinthians 7:15, one tradition writes, "But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace." This "Pauline privilege" is often understood to permit the believing spouse to remarry if the unbelieving spouse initiates a divorce and abandons the marriage. Matthew Henry's commentary notes that Paul addresses the question of whether converts to Christianity should separate from their unbelieving spouses, a common concern in that era [12].

Sources

  1. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Affinity — [[77]Marriage]”
  2. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Dowry — [[450]Marriage]”
  3. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Spouse — [[1167]Marriage]”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Marriage — Divinely instituted -- Ge 2:24. A covenant relationship -- Mal 2:4. Designed for The happiness of man. -- Ge 2:18. Increasing the human population. -- Ge 1:28; 9:1. Raising up godly seed. -- Mal 2:15. Preventing fornication. -- 1Co 7:2. The expectation of the promised seed of the woman an incentive to, in the early age -- Ge 3:15; 4:1. Lawful in all -- 1Co 7:2,28; 1Ti 5:14. Honourable for all -- Heb 13:4. Should be only in the Lord -- 1Co 7:39. Expressed by Joining together. -- Mt 19:6. Making affinity. -- 1Ki 3:1. Taking to wife. -- Ex 2:1. Giving daughte”
  5. Isaiah “For as a young man marries a virgin, so your sons shall marry you; and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so your God will rejoice over you. -- Isaiah 62:5”
  6. 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”
  7. Jeremiah “Take wives, and father sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there, and don’t be diminished. -- Jeremiah 29:6”
  8. 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”
  9. 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).”
  10. Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 2:17: guide . . . youth--lawful husband (Jer 3:4). covenant . . . God--of marriage made in God's name.”
  11. Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 5:31: 5:31-32 Jesus challenges the misapplication of the Old Testament provision for divorce (see Deut 24:1-4; cp. Matt 19:3-9): Following the rules does not make divorce acceptable. Jesus allows only one legitimate reason for divorce, sexual infidelity, and forbids casual divorce (see also 1 Cor 7:10-11). 5:31 A notice of divorce is a document stating the legality of a divorce. Evidence suggests that such a document permitted remarriage. “The essential formula in the notice of divorce is, ‘Lo, you are free to marry any man.’ . . . The essential formula in a writ of em”
  12. 1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 7:10: In this paragraph the apostle gives them direction in a case which must be very frequent in that age of the world, especially among the Jewish converts; I mean whether they were to live with heathen relatives in a married state. Moses's law permitted divorce; and there was a famous instance in the Jewish state, when the people were obliged to put away their idolatrous wives, Ezr 10:3. This might move a scruple in many minds, whether converts to Christianity were not bound to put away or desert their mates, continuing infidels. Concerning this matter the apo”
  13. Ezek (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezek 23:4: 23:4 Marriage is commonly used in the Bible as a symbol for the covenant relationship between God and his people (e.g., Isa 54:1-8; Eph 5:22-33). Adultery symbolizes Israel’s spiritual unfaithfulness (e.g., Hos 1–3). God makes his covenants in spite of, not because of, his people’s character (Rom 5:6-11).”
  14. Ezekiel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezekiel 23:4: 23:4 Marriage is commonly used in the Bible as a symbol for the covenant relationship between God and his people (e.g., Isa 54:1-8; Eph 5:22-33). Adultery symbolizes Israel’s spiritual unfaithfulness (e.g., Hos 1–3). God makes his covenants in spite of, not because of, his people’s character (Rom 5:6-11).”
  15. 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”
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