Divorce and remarriage is always a sin so long as your spouse is still alive

[TaylorDonBarret]

I do not want to get into a Scriptural debate about this issue.

Because this is so much more simple than that.

The traditional marriage vow goes like this:

"Do you promise to love, comfort, honor and keep her for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful only to her so long as you both shall live?"

If you make that promise, then you have made a promise before God, you have sworn an oath before the almighty, that you will only engage in intimate, romantic, and sexual behavior with one person until "death do you part".

Simply put... if you break that oath, it does not matter what your reason, then you have sinned against God. Your oath is not dependent on whether or not your spouse holds up their oath. Your oath is your oath, and by breaking it you sin against God.

 

[Travis]

The scriptures list exceptions, where there are legit reasons to be separated from a spouse and are free to remarry.

Many people use these exceptions to justify sin, but even though they are wrong, it doesn't make the exceptions any less valid.

Blessings,

Travis

 

[Christ4Ever]

@TaylorDonBarret
That is why I see it as a covenant between my wife (who I love dearly), me and God.
Not the Pastor who oversaw the wedding.
Not the church that accepted to have it performed.
Not the Government that gave us the license (right?/Ha).

Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Matthew 19:6

It is by His Grace and Mercy that my wife and me have stayed that way.
Just another part in giving Him all Glory! Alleluia!

Thanks for sharing and providing me a remembrance of how blessed I am in this Covenant of Marriage.
YBIC
C4E
<><

 

[B-A-C]

The Bible does give three reasons for separation.

Death, obviously - Rom 7:2-3;
If you are married to an unbeliever, and they leave you - 1 Cor 7:15;
Infidelity (adultery) - Matt 19:9;

God hates divorce - Mal 2:16;
And if we do get divorced, we should try to reconcile - 1 Cor 7:11;
However if one of you has slept with someone else - you should not try to reconcile. - Deut 24:1-4;

I personally feel if your spouse leaves you, and you did everything you could to prevent it, God won't hold getting married again against you.

 

[Chad]

Simply put... if you break that oath, it does not matter what your reason, then you have sinned against God. Your oath is not dependent on whether or not your spouse holds up their oath. Your oath is your oath, and by breaking it you sin against God.

Not true.

Matthew 5:32
But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

1 Corinthians 7:15
But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace.

 

[Thiscrosshurts]

1 Cor 7:11 but if she does leave, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband, and that the husband should not divorce his wife.
Remarriage does seem like it might tend to make reconciliation more complicated.
Also love does not demand it's own way.
Love also believes all things and hopes all things.

If we want to get technical a husband cannot remarry but can have more than one wife.
Matthew 5:32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Notice it does not mention a wife divorcing her husband.But all that was Jewish law.

We are under the law of love
1 Corinthians 7:16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

 

[Bendito]

1 Cor 7:11 but if she does leave, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband, and that the husband should not divorce his wife.
Remarriage does seem like it might tend to make reconciliation more complicated.
Also love does not demand it's own way.
Love also believes all things and hopes all things.

If we want to get technical a husband cannot remarry but can have more than one wife.
Matthew 5:32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Notice it does not mention a wife divorcing her husband.But all that was Jewish law.

We are under the law of love
1 Corinthians 7:16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

So how would you rule in the case of one 'Christian' spouse leaving the other, and the one that was left remarries. Is that one and adulterer/ess?

Marriage to me is equivalent to a blood covenant. Unbreakable except through death but not all believe that way.

 

[Thiscrosshurts]

So how would you rule in the case of one 'Christian' spouse leaving the other, and the one that was left remarries. Is that one and adulterer/ess?

I am not a judge of men or their affairs.

Marriage to me is equivalent to a blood covenant. Unbreakable except through death but not all believe that way.

To me it's a love never fails thing.
1 Corinthians 7:16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

 

[Bendito]

I am not a judge of men or their affairs.

To me it's a love never fails thing.
1 Corinthians 7:16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

Of course I meant would one rule it as adultery or not. Not a judgment on a person

 

[Thiscrosshurts]

Of course I meant would one rule it as adultery or not. Not a judgment on a person

In the spirit there is neither male nor female,neither Jew nor Greek.
I have died and now the spirit of Christ lives in me.

Men are like the fish of the sea who have no ruler over them so they need written rules outside themselves so that they can see with their eyes.

The law of love is written in the heart.
By the law of love forsaking anyone is impossible.
Love is patient and keeps no record of wrong,love bears all things,believes all things,hopes all things and keeps no record of wrong.
Love does not demand its own way.
God is love and I only want to do what I see my Father doing.

My wife is a gift from God and she has done good to me and not evil.
Proverbs 31:12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
Let every man be a liar but let God be true.

 

[TaylorDonBarret]

Not true.

Matthew 5:32
But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

1 Corinthians 7:15
But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace.

the verse in Matthew says that if you divorce your wife then you make her commit adultery, unless she already committed adultery, in which case she made herself commit adultery. the verse does not say "you can divorce your wife if she commits adultery". the verse says "if you divorce your wife for any reason other than adultery, you make her commit adultery. (but if you divorce her because she committed adultery, then it would not be you who made her commit adultery .. she made herself commit adultery."

the second verse does not say that we may remarry, but rather is saying that we should remain single thereafter

 

[Bendito]

the verse in Matthew says that if you divorce your wife then you make her commit adultery, unless she already committed adultery, in which case she made herself commit adultery. the verse does not say "you can divorce your wife if she commits adultery". the verse says "if you divorce your wife for any reason other than adultery, you make her commit adultery. (but if you divorce her because she committed adultery, then it would not be you who made her commit adultery .. she made herself commit adultery."

the second verse does not say that we may remarry, but rather is saying that we should remain single thereafter

Wow..Now that was a convoluted retort. Thanks for the laugh. Keep in mind though. The mercy of God. As in...What if a person was guilty of adultery and forced a divorce on his wife. Adultery was a factor and the wife an innocent victim. She's twenty three years old healthy and so on...Would God sentence her to a long life of loneliness? Or would grace and mercy come into play here? What would you insist your daughter do? Now you have a "real life scenario" You're god here. Decide. You love your daughter, you want your best for her... You want her to be happy, healthy, productive and you have a job for her that requires a mate. Also her children need a loving daddy that will help her to raise them to be like you. What would you do? Keep in mind..God is love God is just...Keep in mind the attributes of God then decide....What do you do?

Aren't you glad that you're not God?

 

[Travis]

Sometimes GotQuestions.org blows me away with the wisdom in the answers they give to common questions/misconceptions:

What are biblical grounds for divorce?

Question: "What are biblical grounds for divorce?"

Answer: When discussing what the Bible says about divorce, it is important to keep in mind the words of Malachi 2:16, “I hate divorce, says the Lord God.” Whatever grounds the Bible possibly gives for divorce, that does not mean God desires a divorce to occur in those instances. Rather than asking “is ______ a grounds for divorce,” often the question should be “is _______ grounds for forgiveness, restoration, and/or counseling?”

The Bible gives two clear grounds for divorce: (1) sexual immorality (Matthew 5:32; 19:9) and (2) abandonment by an unbeliever (1 Corinthians 7:15). Even in these two instances, though, divorce is not required or even encouraged. The most that can be said is that sexual immorality and abandonment are grounds (an allowance) for divorce. Confession, forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration are always the first steps. Divorce should only be viewed as a last resort.

Are there any grounds for divorce beyond what the Bible explicitly says? Perhaps, but we do not presume upon the Word of God. It is very dangerous to go beyond what the Bible says (1 Corinthians 4:6). The most frequent additional grounds for divorce that people inquire about are spousal abuse (emotional or physical), child abuse, addiction to pornography, drug / alcohol use, crime / imprisonment, and mismanagement of finances (such as through a gambling addiction). None of these can be claimed to be explicit biblical grounds for a divorce.

That does not necessarily mean, though, that none of them are grounds for divorce which God would approve of. For example, we cannot imagine that it would be God’s desire for a wife to remain with a husband who physically abuses her and/or their children. In such an instance, the wife should definitely separate herself and the children from the abusive husband. However, even in such a situation, a time of separation with the goal of repentance and restoration should be the ideal, not necessarily immediately beginning divorce proceedings. Please understand, by saying that the above are not biblical grounds for divorce, we are definitely not saying that a man/woman whose spouse is engaging in such activities should remain in the situation. If there is any risk to self or children, separation is a good and appropriate step.

Another way to look at this issue is to differentiate between biblical grounds for divorce and biblical grounds for divorce and remarriage. Some interpret the two biblical grounds for divorce mentioned above as the only grounds for remarriage after a divorce, but allow for divorce with no remarriage in other instances. While this is a plausible interpretation, it seems to come too close to presuming upon the Word of God. For more information, please read the following two articles:
What does the Bible say about divorce and remarriage?
I am divorced. Can I remarry according to the Bible?

In summary, what are the biblical grounds for divorce? The answer is sexual immorality and abandonment. Are there additional grounds for divorce beyond these two? Possibly. Is divorce ever to be treated lightly or employed as the first recourse? Absolutely not. God is capable of changing and reforming any person. God is capable of healing and renewing any marriage. Divorce should only occur in instances of repeated and unrepentant heinous sin.

 

[Chad]

the verse in Matthew says that if you divorce your wife then you make her commit adultery, unless she already committed adultery, in which case she made herself commit adultery. the verse does not say "you can divorce your wife if she commits adultery". the verse says "if you divorce your wife for any reason other than adultery, you make her commit adultery. (but if you divorce her because she committed adultery, then it would not be you who made her commit adultery .. she made herself commit adultery."

the second verse does not say that we may remarry, but rather is saying that we should remain single thereafter

You've got this all wrong, seriously. Read again.

But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality

That means in this case, divorce is permissible. Don't twist Scripture.

And where in the 2nd verse does it say to remain single? What translation are you reading?

 

[TaylorDonBarret]

You've got this all wrong, seriously. Read again.

But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality

That means in this case, divorce is permissible. Don't twist Scripture.

And where in the 2nd verse does it say to remain single? What translation are you reading?

whoever divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality... does what?

does the verse say... "whoever divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, commits a sin" ?

does the verse say... "whoever divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, causes himself to commit adultery" ?

no, the verse says ... "whoever divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery".

so the verse says this:

if you divorce your wife then you make her an adulteress.. unless the reason why you are divorcing her was adultery, in that case she made herself an adulteress.


the verse does not say "whoever divorces his wife does so wrongly, unless the reason is adultery." no, the verse says "whoever divorces his wife, save for the cause of adultery, causes his wife to become an adulteress".

so a man makes his wife an adulteress when he divorces her. except in the case she was already an adulteress.

 

[TaylorDonBarret]

but beyond these discussions about possible exceptions to marriage...

let me ask you: if you make a promise to God that you will be faithful to one person, for better or worse, till death do you part.... are you obligated to honor your promise?

is adultery "worse" ? did you not promise to remain faithful to one person, for better OR WORSE till death do you part?

 

[Travis]

The wisdom of men is garbage compared to the wisdom of God.

Some men are called by God to teach the word of God, some men are called by other men to teach the word of God, some men call themselves to teach the word of God.

Before too long it usually becomes quite obvious which category someone falls into.

33 "Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.'
34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,
35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
36 And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.
37 Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil. - Matthew 5:33-37

But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. - James 5:12

 

[B-A-C]

but beyond these discussions about possible exceptions to marriage...

let me ask you: if you make a promise to God that you will be faithful to one person, for better or worse, till death do you part.... are you obligated to honor your promise?

is adultery "worse" ? did you not promise to remain faithful to one person, for better OR WORSE till death do you part?

Yes divorce is a sin. I don't think anyone is arguing that.
But is some sin worse than other sin?
Several people here have given at least 2 scriptures that say under some conditions divorce is permissible. ( Matt 5:32; Matt 19:9; 1 Cor 7:15; )
Also I can tell you from my personal experience, sometimes you can do everything in your power not to get a divorce
and yet it happens anyway. In this state at least, it only takes one person to get a divorce. I never signed any divorce papers,
yet I am divorced. As far as I know she wasn't unfaithful to me while we were married, but now she is married to someone else.
The Bible says we should be reconciled, but it says if your spouse has slept with someone else don't get back together with them.
Besides, she would have to divorce the person she is married to, to marry me. Then there would be yet another sin.
Is she a harlot-adulteress? Maybe, I don't know.. I will leave that decision up to God. Some would say that because we weren't married,
she didn't commit adultery. But if she is an adulteress, the Bible says we shouldn't be yoked to those people either. 1 Cor 6:14;

David committed adultery... was He forgiven? In Romans it says David was a man after God's own heart.