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SCRIPTURES ON DIVORCE

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The following scriptures use the text found in the New International Version of the Bible:

Deuteronomy 24:1-4:

If a man marries a woman who becomes displeasing to him because he finds something indecent about her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house, and if after she leaves his house she becomes the wife of another man, and her second husband dislikes her and writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house, or if he dies, then her first husband, who divorced her, is not allowed to marry her again after she has been defiled. That would be detestable in the eyes of the LORD. Do not bring sin upon the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.

Malachi 2:13-16:

Another thing you do: You flood the LORD’s altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer pays attention to your offerings or accept them with pleasure from your hands. You ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant. Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring.

So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. “I hate divorce,” says the LORD God of Israel, “and I hate a man’s covering himself [or his wife] with violence as well as with his garment,” says the LORD Almighty.

Matthew 5:31-32:

[Jesus said] It has been said, “Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.” But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.

Matthew 19:3-9:

Some Pharisees came to him [Jesus] to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?” Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

Mark 10:2-12:

Some Pharisees came and tested him [Jesus] by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” “What did Moses command you?” he replied. They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.” “It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”

Luke 16:18:

Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Romans 7:2-3:

By law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. So then, if she marries another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress, even though she marries another man.

1 Corinthians 7:10-11:

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.

1 Corinthians 7:12-14:

To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.

1 Corinthians 7:15-16:

But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

1 Corinthians 7:27a:

Are you married? Do not seek a divorce.

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33 comments so far ↓

  • Rudy says:

    (U.S) I am currently going through a divorce. My wife filed for it. I admit that I could have been a better husband to her. I was not unfaithful but I was mentally abusive. I have since gotten back on the right path and am following God as I should, but my wife’s heart remains hardened and she won’t stop with the divorce proceedings. I believe that God does perform miracles and I’m praying that he will intercede on our behalf and restore our marriage. I know God hates divorce and I’m praying that he restores her love for me and returns our family back better than what it was before. Please pray for me to have strength and patience and pray for my wife to have an awakening and realize that if God can change someone like me he can save our marriage.

  • Jalia says:

    (US) I pray that there is restortion in your marriage. I pray that there will be an awakening in your wife’s heart.

    Pray day and night in your wife’s name. Find scriptures in the Bible where God has promised the desires of our heart, that are just.

    I am also going through a divorce. My husband left the home and created a child outside the marriage and he resides with this woman. We have been separated for four years as a result of this. He has made constant attempts to reach out to me over the years but I was devastated and ignored his attempts. Now I regret it.

    Two months ago we spent time together and it was like we never parted. Then once again the memories and the pain came back and I once again distanced myself. The next thing I knew he filed for divorce.

    Please pray for restoration in my marriage and a change my husband’s heart and shape him into a man of integrity, as I will pray for your marriage also. God said that when two or more are gathered together in his name, there is blessing and power. You are not alone.

  • Natalie says:

    (USA) Today I asked my husband to move out after 20 years of marriage. We have no children and I’ve been battling his alcohol use for many years. I love God so much and pray for a change in my husband and have seen many miracles, but I am at my end with his drinking and driving, that it has literally brought strain on our relationship. I do not believe in divorce, but I am tired and have prayed for his deliverance, but after 20 years I am tired! I’ve read the Bible for answers and I just am hurting and tired. Just please pray that I did the right thing in asking him to move out! I am waiting on direction from the Lord cause I do not know where to turn! Natalie (Tired & hurting)

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