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Is Divorce and Remarriage a Sin?

Name: GodlyScore Review: Is Divorce and Remarriage a Sin?
Item: Divorce and Remarriage
Rating: 2.3
Author: GodlyScore

Is divorce and remarriage a sin? This question touches millions of Christians who have experienced divorce — one of the most pastorally sensitive questions in Christian ethics. Jesus addressed it directly, and his teaching requires careful interpretation.

GODLY

Divorce and Remarriage

Caution

★★☆☆☆2.3/5 · GodlyScore 45/100

Jesus permitted divorce in cases of sexual immorality (Matthew 19:9 — the 'exception clause') and Paul permits separation when an unbelieving spouse deserts (1 Corinthians 7:15 — the 'Pauline privilege'). Outside these grounds, the biblical picture is that divorce is contrary to God's design and remarriage after unwarranted divorce constitutes adultery. This is a pastorally complex question where the church has both a truth obligation and a grace obligation. 45/100 Caution.

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What Jesus Taught

Matthew 19:3-9 is the primary text: the Pharisees asked Jesus whether it is lawful to divorce a wife for any reason. Jesus replied by citing Genesis 2:24 (the two become one flesh) and concluding: "Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." When they pressed him about Moses's allowance for divorce certificates (Deuteronomy 24:1-4), Jesus responded: "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 sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery."

The "exception clause" (except for sexual immorality / porneia) is the crux of the debate. Most evangelical scholars agree it establishes sexual immorality as a legitimate ground for divorce. The debate is whether remarriage is permitted after divorce on these grounds — Jesus says "and marries another woman commits adultery," which most take to mean: remarriage after unwarranted divorce is adultery, with the implication that remarriage after warranted divorce is not.

The Pauline Privilege

1 Corinthians 7:15 adds a second ground: "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" — desertion by an unbelieving spouse — is widely recognized by evangelical scholars as a legitimate ground for divorce. The question again is whether remarriage is permitted.

The Pastoral Reality

The Church must hold two things simultaneously: God's design for lifelong marriage is clear and should be taught without apology, AND God's grace for those who have experienced divorce — through their own sin or another's — is real and should be extended without qualification. Many Christians who have divorced and remarried did so without full biblical understanding, under pastoral counsel that was wrong, or in situations of genuine abuse or abandonment.

The answer to past divorce is not second divorce. The answer is to live faithfully in present circumstances while pursuing the reconciliation, counseling, and community that God provides. See our Is It a Sin? hub and our guide on Is It a Sin to Be Angry? The GotQuestions treatment of divorce and remarriage provides comprehensive biblical analysis. The Gospel Coalition's article on divorce provides additional depth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is divorce and remarriage a sin?

Jesus permits divorce in cases of sexual immorality (Matthew 19:9) and Paul permits it when an unbelieving spouse deserts (1 Corinthians 7:15). Outside these grounds, Jesus teaches that divorce followed by remarriage constitutes adultery. This is a pastorally complex question requiring honest biblical assessment and genuine pastoral grace — God both holds the standard and extends mercy to those who have fallen short of it. 45/100 Caution.

What did Jesus say about divorce?

Matthew 19:3-9: Jesus upholds the Genesis 2:24 design for lifelong marriage, acknowledges Moses's divorce allowance as a concession to hardness of heart, and establishes one exception: 'anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.' This 'exception clause' (Greek: porneia) establishes sexual immorality as a legitimate ground for divorce. The Pauline privilege (1 Corinthians 7:15) adds desertion by an unbelieving spouse as a second ground.

Can a divorced person remarry in the church?

Christian traditions differ significantly. Most evangelical and Protestant traditions permit remarriage after divorce on biblical grounds (sexual immorality or desertion). The Catholic Church does not permit remarriage after a valid marriage unless an annulment has been granted. The key question is whether the divorce was on biblical grounds — if so, most evangelical churches permit remarriage. Those divorced on non-biblical grounds are in a more pastorally complex situation requiring careful counsel.