Divorce is one of the most sensitive and painful decisions in life, and for Christians, it carries deep spiritual weight. Jesus Himself gave a clear caution in Matthew 5:32 (NIV):
“But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
This verse sets the tone for why Christians must take divorce seriously. It is not just a legal decision, but a spiritual one with eternal consequences. Before taking any step toward divorce and remarriage, believers must turn to the Word of God for wisdom and guidance. Below are 25 Bible verses that shed light on marriage, divorce, forgiveness, reconciliation, and the seriousness of covenant relationships.
Read 25 Bible verses to read to overcome anxiety
25 Bible Verses to Read Before Divorce and Remarriage
1. Malachi 2:16
“The man who hates and divorces his wife,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect,” says the Lord Almighty. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful.”
➡️ God hates divorce because it breaks His design for marriage and leaves wounds behind.
2. Matthew 19:6
“So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
➡️ Marriage is sacred; divorce tears apart what God Himself has joined.
3. Mark 10:9
“Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
➡️ Reinforces the permanency of marriage.
4. Matthew 19:8
“Jesus replied, ‘Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.'”
➡️ Divorce was never God’s original plan.
5. 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.”
➡️ Reconciliation is always the first option.
6. Romans 7:2–3
“For example, 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 that binds her to him.”
➡️ Marriage covenant is lifelong until death.
7. Ephesians 5:25
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
➡️ Marriage should reflect Christ’s sacrificial love.
8. Ephesians 5:22–23
“Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church.”
➡️ Marriage calls for mutual roles rooted in Christ.
9. Proverbs 18:22
“He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.”
➡️ Marriage is God’s blessing, not a curse to be discarded.
10. 1 Peter 3:7
“Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect… so that nothing will hinder your prayers.”
➡️ Marriage impacts spiritual life.
11. Colossians 3:18–19
“Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.”
➡️ Mutual care keeps marriage strong.
12. Hebrews 13:4
“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”
➡️ Faithfulness is the foundation of marriage.
13. Genesis 2:24
“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”
➡️ Marriage is God’s original creation design.
14. Matthew 19:9
“I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
➡️ Jesus’ clear teaching on divorce.
15. Luke 16:18
“Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
➡️ Divorce and remarriage are spiritually weighty.
16. Proverbs 21:9
“Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.”
➡️ A warning to seek peace, but not a license for divorce.
17. Proverbs 19:14
“Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.”
➡️ Marriage is a divine gift.
18. Ecclesiastes 4:9–10
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”
➡️ Marriage is about partnership and support.
19. 1 Corinthians 13:4–7
“Love is patient, love is kind… It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
➡️ God’s definition of love should guide every marriage.
20. Matthew 18:21–22
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'”
➡️ Forgiveness can restore broken marriages.
21. Colossians 3:13
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.”
➡️ Forgiveness is necessary to avoid divorce.
22. James 1:19–20
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
➡️ Good communication preserves marriages.
23. Galatians 5:22–23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
➡️ Spirit-led living brings harmony to marriage.
24. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
➡️ Encouragement strengthens bonds.
25. Psalm 127:1
“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.”
➡️ A marriage without God at the center is bound to fail.
Conclusion: Can Divorce and Remarriage Be Biblical?
From all these Scriptures, it’s clear that God values marriage as a covenant, not just a contract. Divorce should never be taken lightly. Jesus warned in Matthew 5:32 that divorcing for reasons other than sexual immorality leads to adultery. The Bible consistently encourages forgiveness, reconciliation, and perseverance in relationships.
However, Scripture does acknowledge cases where divorce may be necessary — particularly in cases of adultery (Matthew 19:9) or abandonment by an unbelieving spouse (1 Corinthians 7:15). If divorce becomes unavoidable, believers must proceed prayerfully and with a heart that seeks alignment with God’s Word.
Finally, before considering divorce and remarriage, immerse yourself in these 25 verses. Allow God to speak, heal, and guide your path. If reconciliation is possible, pursue it. If divorce must happen, let it be done with reverence for God’s teaching, and with a clear conscience that you have obeyed His Word.
In summary: Divorce is not unforgivable, but it is never to be treated casually. Let God’s Word guide every step so that your decision honors Him and preserves your faith.
