Can Christians Marry after Divorce?
Mark 10 says that a divorced man who remarries again commits adultery…but what if that husband was left by his wife?”
(Question about Christians and divorce from a reader in the Philippines.)
You’ve asked a most excellent question. Scholars have debated issues related to divorce throughout the ages, back to the time of Jesus and before. Even now, different Christian churches teach different things about whether a person can marry again after divorce.
Back in the Day…
When Jesus was asked by the Pharisees about divorce, it was a test. (Mark 10:2 and Matthew 19:3) At the time a woman could be divorced by a man for any and every reason he wished no matter how trivial. In his answer, Jesus attacks this casual approach to divorce and speaks to two things:
- The sacredness of marriage (Mark 10:9)
- The grace of God – Moses indicated that divorce was allowed with a certificate of divorce. (Mark 10:3-5)
Are the words of Jesus still relevant today? Absolutely. Read on for better understanding.
Jesus makes it clear that…
- First priority and God’s plan is for you to make your marriage work. Give it every effort.
- Moses allowed for divorce because “your hearts were hard.”
- Divorce is not to be taken lightly.
Adultery?
I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery,” says Matthew 19: 9.
Does Jesus literally mean that a person who marries again commits adultery or is it an overstatement to make a point about the seriousness of marriage? Good question.
In Mark 9:43 Jesus says, “And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.” Does he mean for you to really cut it off or is he making an overstatement to say that we need to make a serious effort to stop sinning?
I think in both cases Jesus is making an overstatement to make a point. (This is called hyperbole.) I believe he is saying that divorce is not a part of God’s plan and that divorcing on a whim and marrying another person is as bad as committing adultery. (This is called a metaphor.) Divorce is not to be taken lightly. Remember, at the time a man could divorce his wife for a trivial reason. Jesus is standing firm for marriage and for women.
In 1 Corinthians 7:15 Paul says, “But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances…” Some believe this means that an abandoned believer is free to remarry. (Some say that anyone who abandons a marriage is an unbeliever.) NOTE: The person who files for divorce is not always the person who abandoned the marriage.
God’s Grace
One thing I know for sure is that God’s grace is awesome. If your partner breaks the marriage vows and remains unrepentant over time it may be necessary to divorce. Or, you may have been abandoned and be divorced even though it was not your choice. Either way, I believe, as many churches teach, that you are then free to marry.
Choose a path of healing…
- Honestly ask God for forgiveness for your part in the divorce. Repent.
- Accept God’s grace and forgiveness.
- Seek renewal from Christ.
- Forgive yourself.
- Walk with Christ from this day forward.
An Unforgivable Sin?
Christ died to redeem us from our sins. By earnestly accepting him as our Savior we have forgiveness of our sins. To say you are not allowed to marry after divorce would be to make divorce an unforgivable sin. Divorce is not an unforgivable sin. Jesus never said it was. Therefore, I agree with those who believe you are allowed to marry.
On a Personal Note
I have experienced divorce. I have experienced the grace of God. I have now been happily remarried for 28 years. We walk with God daily and he loves us as he loves you.
One More Thought
Being free to marry after divorce doesn’t necessarily mean you are ready to remarry. Rebound romances are dangerous. Remarrying before you heal from divorce and learn from your past mistakes just sets you up for failure.
Spend time intentionally working to heal from divorce and learning about healthy relationships before you remarry. Seek guidance from those who know about divorce recovery. Seek strength and wisdom from God as you make this journey. Find your wholeness in Christ rather trying to find it in a new mate.
The time you invest will pay big dividends and increase your chances of a healthier future marriage.
Talk with God
What is God saying to you about whether or not you should remarry? What is he saying to you about whether or not you are ready for a new romantic relationship?
Christian Inspiration
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
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Do you Need Christian Support for Moving Past the Pain of Divorce?
Read Renee’s book, Peace after Divorce.
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it has been very stressful to couple with this situation bearing in mind that i have kids….i like the post and i wish i could be able to get it every day
Grace, thank you for your comment. Divorce and marrying again is always more complicated when children are involved. You may find my short-read eBook Children Coping with Your Divorce?: What Parents Can Do to Help to be helpful. If you marry again, I highly recommend reading The Smart Step-Family by Dr. Ron Deal.
There is condemnation in my life and I am working on that. I got married at 18 and did not know about the Lord and I divorced at 30 for infidelity and drugs from my ex-husband. I did not heal well my two years old I became a Christian and in less than a year later I remarried a Christian man supposedly and had problems of sexual addiction. It was eight very hard years. I clung a lot to God to save my marriage but I did not Could my life was a chaos. My own pastors saw that there was nothing more to do than to make my decision for me and my son. It is already four years of divorce I am working my areas of pain resentment. But I find it hard to believe that I have the right to fall in love or get married even worse I feel unworthy not suitable for marriage. I long for a home for a husband but there is a lot of fear in me especially about choosing again badly.
Katrina, you’ve been through a lot. Please spend time working on healing from divorce before you seek another husband. Healing old wounds first is really important. God loves you and can help you move beyond condemnation. It is His goal to set you free. Please consider taking the Peace after Divorce Workshop online. That course should be up and running by the May 1. You can also download my free eBook 5 Keys to Healing from Divorce (complete the green circle at the top of this page). Once you do that, you will be added to my mailing list and I will send you a notice of when Peace after Divorce will start on line. This online workshop will help support your healing from divorce and let you know that God does see you as valuable and worthy.
You can also sign up by clicking the Sign Up Now for Updates link above near the workshop logo.
Hi. I’ve been married for 17 years. I was unloved, verbally and emotionally abused. My ex-spouse was faithful. The disfunction of my marriage took heavy toll on our daughter as well as me. I divorced him 11 years ago. Now, I am engaged to a Catholic (I am Baptist) man who loves me dearly. However, everywhere I hear and read that I am ineligible (nor my fiancé) to remarry because both of our spouses are we will commit adultery. My fiancé’s ex-spouse is nearing her life and is being crippled for many years requiring 24/7 care. I am lost and confused. With a heavy heart I am thinking to break off my engagement to a sweet man. I do not understand what is the point to remain single in my situation if my ex-husband will not remarry me and I don’t want to be his wife again.
Olga, it’s a gift from God to find someone who loves you dearly. I know there are churches that teach you can’t remarry. Mine doesn’t teach that. I believe we have to look at the Scriptures as a whole and in context. You can find an interesting video here https://youtu.be/N2pC6ZikbYo if you would like to know more about divorce in context in the Bible. My heart aches for you. Your question is good. What would be the point in remaining single in your situation? It’s a very good question to take to God in prayer. As for me, I have remarried to a wonderful Christian man and we have a Christ-centered marriage that has been richly blessed by God. We are active in our church which accepts us lovely. I pray you find that same blessing.