{
  "id": "dict_001490",
  "term": "Divorce and remarriage",
  "slug": "divorce-and-remarriage",
  "letter": "D",
  "entry_type": "theological_term",
  "entry_family": "theological_term",
  "depth_profile": "standard",
  "short_definition": "Biblical teaching on the ending of a marriage and whether remarriage may follow. Scripture presents marriage as a covenant meant for lifelong faithfulness and treats divorce as a serious exception, not an ideal.",
  "simple_one_line": "The Bible teaches marriage as a lifelong covenant and addresses when divorce, and possibly remarriage, may be permitted.",
  "tooltip_text": "Biblical teaching on the dissolution of marriage and the conditions, if any, under which remarriage is allowed.",
  "aliases": [],
  "scripture_references": [],
  "original_language_terms": [],
  "related_entries": [
    "Marriage",
    "Covenant",
    "Adultery",
    "Fornication",
    "Reconciliation",
    "Abandonment",
    "Sexual immorality",
    "Church discipline"
  ],
  "see_also": [
    "Matthew 19",
    "Mark 10",
    "1 Corinthians 7",
    "Deuteronomy 24",
    "Malachi 2"
  ],
  "lede_intro": "Divorce and remarriage is a biblical and pastoral topic about the breaking of marriage and whether a divorced person may marry again. Scripture upholds marriage as a covenant intended for lifelong faithfulness, while also addressing human sin, marital breakdown, and limited exceptions discussed by interpreters.",
  "at_a_glance_definition": "Marriage is God’s design for lifelong covenant faithfulness; divorce is treated as a grave matter, and the permissibility of remarriage depends on how key biblical passages are understood.",
  "at_a_glance_key_points": [
    "Marriage is rooted in creation and covenant faithfulness.",
    "Jesus reaffirms the seriousness of divorce and condemns casual or hard-hearted divorce.",
    "Evangelical Christians differ on the scope of biblical exceptions, especially in Matthew 19 and 1 Corinthians 7.",
    "Pastoral care should combine truth, mercy, protection of the vulnerable, and fidelity to Scripture."
  ],
  "description_academic_short": "Divorce and remarriage refers to the Bible’s teaching on when, if ever, a marriage may be dissolved and whether a divorced person may marry again. Jesus strongly upholds God’s design for lifelong marriage and warns against wrongful divorce. Conservative evangelical interpreters differ on some applications, especially the scope of possible exceptions, but agree that marriage is sacred and divorce must never be treated lightly.",
  "description_academic_full": "Divorce and remarriage is a theological and pastoral topic dealing with Scripture’s teaching on marriage as a covenant, the sinfulness of breaking that covenant, and the circumstances in which divorce or remarriage may be considered. The Bible presents marriage as God’s good design from creation, and Jesus reaffirms that design by warning against divorce pursued contrary to God’s will. At the same time, orthodox interpreters differ over how key passages should be applied, especially the possible exceptions related to sexual immorality and abandonment by an unbelieving spouse. Scripture honors lifelong marital faithfulness, condemns casual or hard-hearted divorce, and requires careful, biblically grounded pastoral judgment in cases of marital breakdown and questions of remarriage.",
  "background_biblical_context": "Genesis presents marriage as a one-flesh union established by God. Later Old Testament law regulates divorce in a fallen world without presenting it as the ideal. The prophets portray covenant unfaithfulness, including marital unfaithfulness, as serious before God. Jesus then appeals back to creation, teaching that Moses’ provision addressed hardness of heart rather than God’s original intent.",
  "background_historical_context": "In the ancient world, divorce was often easier for men to initiate than for women, and social realities could leave the vulnerable at risk. Jesus’ teaching therefore had a strong moral force, defending the sanctity of marriage and challenging casual dismissal of a spouse. In the church era, Christians have continued to debate the exact grounds for divorce and the permissibility of remarriage.",
  "background_jewish_ancient_context": "Second Temple Jewish debate included differing interpretations of Deuteronomy 24 and the grounds for divorce. Jesus’ teaching in the Gospels enters that discussion by pressing listeners back to creation and calling them beyond merely legal permission to covenant faithfulness. These Jewish background debates can illuminate the passages, but Scripture remains the final authority.",
  "key_texts_primary": [
    "Gen 2:24",
    "Deut 24:1–4",
    "Mal 2:14–16",
    "Matt 5:31–32",
    "Matt 19:3–9",
    "Mark 10:2–12",
    "Luke 16:18",
    "1 Cor 7:10–16, 39"
  ],
  "key_texts_secondary": [
    "Exod 20:14",
    "Prov 5:15–23",
    "Hos 1–3",
    "Rom 7:2–3"
  ],
  "original_language_note": "The Old Testament and New Testament use ordinary covenant and marriage language rather than a single technical term for every case. In the Gospels, the key discussion centers on divorce terminology and Jesus’ appeal to the creation pattern. The wording of exception clauses is important for interpretation, but the central moral point remains clear: marriage is meant to be faithful and lasting.",
  "theological_significance": "This topic touches creation order, covenant faithfulness, sin, repentance, justice, mercy, and church pastoral care. It also affects how believers think about sanctification in marriage, the seriousness of vows, and the church’s responsibility toward the wounded and vulnerable.",
  "philosophical_explanation": "The issue turns on the relation between a created moral norm and exceptional permissions in a fallen world. Scripture presents an ideal for marriage while also addressing real-world failure, requiring moral reasoning that preserves both truth and compassion without treating exception as the rule.",
  "interpretive_cautions": "Do not use isolated proof texts to flatten all cases into one rule. Do not assume every divorce is identical in moral and covenant status. Do not present remarriage as automatically forbidden in every circumstance or automatically permissible in every circumstance. Pastoral situations involving abuse, abandonment, adultery, or hard-hearted refusal require careful biblical and ecclesial discernment.",
  "major_views_note": "Conservative evangelical interpreters generally agree that marriage is intended to be lifelong and that divorce is never to be treated casually. They differ on the scope of biblical exceptions and on whether some passages permit remarriage after certain divorces, especially under Matthew 19:9 and 1 Corinthians 7:15. A cautious evangelical summary is that Scripture clearly condemns wrongful divorce, while the details of legitimate grounds and remarriage require careful case-by-case interpretation.",
  "doctrinal_boundaries": "This entry should affirm marriage as a covenantal union meant for lifelong faithfulness, the sinfulness of casual or hard-hearted divorce, and the authority of Scripture over church practice. It should not claim more certainty than the biblical text provides on disputed edge cases. It should not deny the possibility of repentance, forgiveness, or pastoral restoration, nor should it make remarriage universally forbidden or universally encouraged.",
  "practical_significance": "This topic shapes premarital counseling, marriage counseling, church discipline, protection of spouses and children, and guidance for those who have experienced divorce. Churches should hold God’s design for marriage high while offering truthful, compassionate care and careful biblical counsel.",
  "meta_description": "Bible teaching on divorce and remarriage: marriage as a lifelong covenant, Jesus’ teaching on divorce, and key evangelical interpretations of remarriage.",
  "public_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/divorce-and-remarriage/",
  "json_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/data/dictionary/divorce-and-remarriage.json",
  "final_disposition": "PUBLISH_CANONICAL"
}