What does the Bible say about marriage, divorce and remarriage?

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Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
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#1
Since there are frequent questions about these topics, viewers should know what the Bible says, rather than the opinions of others.

1. Marriage is between a man and a woman
And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. (Gen 2:21-24)

And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. (Mt 19:4-6)

2. Marriage is until the death of a spouse
The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. (1 Cor 7:39)

For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. (Rom 7:2,3)

3. Marriage is honorable in all and the norm for all
Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. (Heb 13:4)

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. (Prov 18:22)
Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. (1 Cor 7:1,2)


I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. (1 Tim 5:14)

4. The single state is the exception, and forbidding to marry is demonic
His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it. (Mt 19:10-12)

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. (1 Tim 4:1-3)

5. Christians are to marry Christians, not unbelievers
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (2 Cor 6:14-16)

6. God hates divorce
For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for [one] covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously. (Mal 2:16)

And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife. (1 Cor 7:10,11)

7. God allows divorce for one reason only
When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give [it] in her hand, and send her out of his house. (Deut 24:1)

And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except [it be] for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. (Mt 19:9)

7. God allows the separation of unbelieving spouses from believers
But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such [cases]: but God hath called us to peace. (1 Cor 7:15)
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
41,304
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Tennessee
#2
Is there anything in the NT that prohibits a man from having more than 1 wife at the same time? Seems quite common to have more than one wife, plus numerous concubines in OT times yet don't remember any scripture that states that this is wrong.
 
Jul 20, 2019
1,228
882
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#3
As far as I know, the two become one. This means they are connected via the soul/heart not the ego mind. Marriage is a powerful force between two people when that happens. So if someone marries from ego, I would assume it wouldn't necessarily be recognised as a heavenly connection, therefore when the actual divine connection turns up, there is no choice but to divorce
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,344
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#4
Is there anything in the NT that prohibits a man from having more than 1 wife at the same time? Seems quite common to have more than one wife, plus numerous concubines in OT times yet don't remember any scripture that states that this is wrong.
"HIS OWN WIFE" is stated frequently in the NT, and that excludes polygamy. Furthermore "what God has joined together" applies to just one wife. Therefore polygamy is excluded by implication. Even in the OT, polygamy was the exception, and in all the commandments regarding marriage, the implication is one wife for one husband.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,344
12,869
113
#5
As far as I know, the two become one. This means they are connected via the soul/heart not the ego mind. Marriage is a powerful force between two people when that happens. So if someone marries from ego, I would assume it wouldn't necessarily be recognised as a heavenly connection, therefore when the actual divine connection turns up, there is no choice but to divorce
You won't find that in the Bible. Indeed it would be considered a lame excuse.
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
41,304
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#6
"HIS OWN WIFE" is stated frequently in the NT, and that excludes polygamy. Furthermore "what God has joined together" applies to just one wife. Therefore polygamy is excluded by implication. Even in the OT, polygamy was the exception, and in all the commandments regarding marriage, the implication is one wife for one husband.
Regarding the OT it appears that having numerous wives, concubines, and assorted trysts were the rule rather than the exception.
 
K

Kim82

Guest
#7
Is divorce and remarriage the unpardonable sin?
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,344
12,869
113
#9
Regarding the OT it appears that having numerous wives, concubines, and assorted trysts were the rule rather than the exception.
That is incorrect. When you take Israel as a whole, it was generally the kings who had multiple wives. Some of the patriarchs had several wives also, but that was definitely not the norm. Noah, Daniel, and Job are mentioned as three outstanding righteous men, and both Noah and Job had only one wife. Daniel was single.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,344
12,869
113
#10
Is divorce and remarriage the unpardonable sin?
No it is not. Also it depends on the circumstances for remarriage. The unpardonable sin is blasphemy of the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit).
 

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
18,329
7,237
113
#11
That is incorrect. When you take Israel as a whole, it was generally the kings who had multiple wives. Some of the patriarchs had several wives also, but that was definitely not the norm. Noah, Daniel, and Job are mentioned as three outstanding righteous men, and both Noah and Job had only one wife. Daniel was single.
Daniel was very likely a eunuch.
 

Evgen

New member
Jul 31, 2019
4
2
3
#12
Since there are frequent questions about these topics, viewers should know what the Bible says, rather than the opinions of others.

1. Marriage is between a man and a woman
And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. (Gen 2:21-24)

And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. (Mt 19:4-6)

2. Marriage is until the death of a spouse
The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. (1 Cor 7:39)

For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. (Rom 7:2,3)

3. Marriage is honorable in all and the norm for all
Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. (Heb 13:4)

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. (Prov 18:22)
Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. (1 Cor 7:1,2)


I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. (1 Tim 5:14)

4. The single state is the exception, and forbidding to marry is demonic
His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it. (Mt 19:10-12)

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. (1 Tim 4:1-3)

5. Christians are to marry Christians, not unbelievers
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (2 Cor 6:14-16)

6. God hates divorce
For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for [one] covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously. (Mal 2:16)

And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife. (1 Cor 7:10,11)

7. God allows divorce for one reason only
When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give [it] in her hand, and send her out of his house. (Deut 24:1)

And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except [it be] for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. (Mt 19:9)

7. God allows the separation of unbelieving spouses from believers
But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such [cases]: but God hath called us to peace. (1 Cor 7:15)

Re: 2. Marriage is until the death of a spouse
That depends on the kind of Marriage Union.
GOD doesn't prohibit Remarriage. Go ahead. But forget about Eternal Love to your spouse.
For "until death do us part" is from men.
Death cannot & doesn't separate what GOD unites.
We are free to do that.
Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:6 & Mark 10:8-9.
Not agree? I won't argue. But kindly note, many Verses in our Bible have more than one interpretation.
GOD bless you.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,344
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#13
But kindly note, many Verses in our Bible have more than one interpretation.
There is only one interpretation for the verses which allow marriage after the death of a spouse. Indeed Paul wanted the younger widows to remarry (as also quoted).
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,344
12,869
113
#14
Daniel was very likely a eunuch.
There is nothing in the book of Daniel that says so. "Children in whom was no blemish" would probably exclude any mutilation.
 
L

Locoponydirtman

Guest
#15
Paraphrased; avoid it.
 

Marcelo

Senior Member
Feb 4, 2016
2,359
859
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73
#16
God hates divorce and therefore marriage should be a lifetime commitment. What God has joined together let man not separate, but since nobody is perfect divorce may happen.

When Jesus was on Earth He said: "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery”.

But the Lord also said: “anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart“ and “Sell that ye have and give alms ”.

It is important to note that no Christian gives away all their material assets and very few (if any) keep themselves from looking at sexually attractive people, and therefore apparently nobody will be saved.

My point here is this: Jesus’ teachings are eternal, but not all of them are essential for salvation. When the Lord was on Earth He preached the law of Moses to the Jews. For information regarding salvation we have to refer to what the Lord Jesus said after the cross, through Paul and other apostles

Paul says adulterers will not be saved, but does he count those who just “look” as adulterers? Paul talks about sexual immorality (physical), but he never wrote anything like: “I’ve heard that some of you have been “looking” at people other than your spouses”. Of course “looking” is a sin, but is different from physical contact.

I’ve never thoroughly studied what Paul says about divorce and remarriage, but whatever it is, it is what counts for salvation. We must regard Paul’s words as Jesus’ words after the cross.

In every divorce (and in some remarriages) at least one of the parties commits sin and will be judged. Nobody will be beforehand condemned.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,344
12,869
113
#17
Paraphrased; avoid it.
What is this supposed mean? The Scriptures have been quoted from the King James Bible, not a paraphrase. So there is no need to make deceptive remarks.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,344
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#18
When the Lord was on Earth He preached the law of Moses to the Jews.
Any teaching of Christ related to the ceremonial aspects of the Law of Moses would have been to the Jews. But that was only a small fraction of what He taught. The bulk of Christ's teachings were of universal application.

The Jews had been abusing the law concerning divorce, and using any old excuse to divorce their wives. Therefore they (and Christians) were given only exception -- fornication or adultery. That was the original intent also.
 

Marcelo

Senior Member
Feb 4, 2016
2,359
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#19
Any teaching of Christ related to the ceremonial aspects of the Law of Moses would have been to the Jews. But that was only a small fraction of what He taught. The bulk of Christ's teachings were of universal application.

The Jews had been abusing the law concerning divorce, and using any old excuse to divorce their wives. Therefore they (and Christians) were given only exception -- fornication or adultery. That was the original intent also.
You mean those who divorce, for causes other than adultery and then remarry, will be committing adultery repeatedly and therefore will not be saved?
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,344
12,869
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#20
You mean those who divorce, for causes other than adultery and then remarry, will be committing adultery repeatedly and therefore will not be saved?
Sorry for the misunderstanding. That was not about salvation per se, just about abusing the law of Moses concerning divorce. Although -- by extension -- what you said would indicate the lifestyle of an unsaved person. Sequential polygamy is the term often used.

BTW, the Mormon church renounced (*suspended*) polygamy in 1890 because they faced legal action. And in any event it was only a small percentage who made this a practice.