Divorce and Remarriage

What the Bible Really says about it.

(a major reason why the church has lost its influence with God.)







“...you cover the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping and with groaning, because He no longer (hears your prayers) ...Yet you say, “ For what reason?” Because the Lord has been witness between you and (your spouse), against whom you have dealt treacherously, though (he / she) is your companion and your (spouse) by covenant. (i.e. a promise ). But not one has done so who has a remnant of the Spirit... Take heed then, to your spirit..., and let no one deal treacherously against (your spouse). For I hate divorce, says the Lord, the God of Israel and (I also hate) him who (cheats on his / her spouse), says the Lord of hosts. So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously. You have wearied the Lord with your words...”

Malachi 2







Brothers and Sisters. When trying to understand what the Bible says about divorce and remarriage for this age of grace there are a number of things one needs to consider. How the bible views a Christian marriage vs. a Christian / non-Christian marriage is one of them. Brethren, there IS a distinction made between those two type of relationships. Those two types of marriages are treated differently.(compare 1 Corinthians 7:10, 11 with verse 15 )

Another thing one needs to consider is the question of what makes a marriage legitimate? Even under the Old Covenant (which cut people a lot of slack) Michal (David’s wife’s) marriage to her second husband was not recognized as a legitimate marriage in the eyes of God, even though David had “abandoned” her and her second marriage was approved by the Highest “law-person” in the land - King Saul (In other words it was civilly legal).


John the Baptist (who prepared the way for the gracious Savior) also had issues concerning the re-marriage of someone’s wife - Herodias. King Herod (another high civil “law-person”), had married Herodias (who was his brother’s wife, the brother still being alive). Brethren, even though Herodias (King Herod’s “wife”) was now living in an adulterous illegitimate 2nd marriage with King Herod (but civilly legal), I expected that the prophet John wanted them both to repent and for her to go back to her (first) husband. John the Baptist (who by the way, was the greatest prophet), his comment’s concerning this marriage was the thing that led him to imprisonment and eventually led to his death. Jesus - who was around at the time - did not tell John to be quiet about this matter and leave well enough alone in the name of love. On contrary, Jesus even called Herod a fox for his sneeky-ness.


Brethren, for the vast majority of cases - marriage - if legitimately made - is a permanent thing. One may separate, even divorce (for discipline reasons), but for the most part one may not remarry. These issues are black and white in scripture and the above illustrations of Michal and Herodias show this to be true (please note the one exception being the illegitimate nature of a believer / unbeliever marriage [Click here for a further discussion] That is NOT a legitimate covenant.


Again brethren, if there is such a thing as legitimate marriages there must of necessity be such a thing as illegitimate ones.


Brethren, the common “if, and’s, and but’s” touted about today often center around Jesus statement in Matthew 5:32 that say one may not remarry ‘except for “adultery,” but THE BIBLE DOESN’T SAY THAT and the actual word in the Greek is “fornication” which in context is speaking of the engagement covenant. Also the understanding of the Jewish word “wife” is very much in question too.


Another thing Brethren, if one considers the teaching of Jesus and how He would handle an adulterous relationship. [i.e. He would give the adulterer at the very least time to repent (Revelation 2:21)] and combine that with the effect that church discipline can have on illegitimate marriages (see verse on how to treat a sinning - as in current, non-repentant adultery - brother or sister), that combined with the forgiveness Jesus openly offered to the adulteress woman leads us to a plan for hope for the healing of any Christian / Christian marriage, even if one of the parties (innocent or not) has in fact re-married. Brethren, according to Paul Christians are never to remarry from a divorce to another Christian (1 Corinthians 7:11) and he says this command is from the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:10). End of subject.


The above points for the healing and restoration of marriages are rarely mentioned in the discussion of divorce between Christians in the church today. The real teaching of the cross is missing too. People are so quick to judge, so unlike their Savior who was interested in saving people from their sins.


Brothers and Sisters I believe God does want us to have answers. God has not left us to ourselves to follow our “good” intentions and feelings in these matters. He has given us HIS answers from HIS word concerning conduct in the church as well a personal conduct. Rules and regulations if you will. Being sincere brethren, while admirable isn’t enough if you are doing wrong. The “as long as I’m sincere” crowd doesn’t cut it with God, especially regarding these issues.




Please read the Forward first!








The Forward in 3 Parts (Please read First!)


The Forward (Section 1)
The Forward (Section 2)
The Forward (Section 3)



What the Bible Really says about Divorce - The Case for the Restoration of Legitimate Marriage Covenants in the Church Today


The Babylonian Outcalling
The Babylonian Outcalling in the Old Testament (Still Under Construction)
The Babylonian Outcalling in the New Testament (Still Under Construction)
The Spiritual Babylon’s of Today (Still Under Construction)



What Jesus Said


The Four Verses of Jesus



Unbelievers and Covenants: What the Bible Says about Marriage to an Unbeliever


What the Bible says about Marriage to an Unbeliever.
The Biblical conditions for the release of Slaves.(Grounds for Unbeliever Divorce)
What Paul says on the Subject (The Words and Verses of 1 Corinthians 7)
Annulling a Covenant

The Ezra Verses
The Nehemiah Verses
The Case of Hagar

Reconciling the Different Old Testament Marriages



Words of the Bible


The Jewish Word “Wife”
Por-ni-ah, (fornication) and Moy-khah-o (adultery)



Engagement Covenants


What the Bible Says About Engagement Covenants



For Elders, Deacons, Deaconess and Boards (Committees too)


Should an Elder / Deacon(ess) stay in office if thay have married to a Widow(er) or Divorced person?
What the Bible Says About Leadership whose Spouse has Died and want to get Remarried
What the Bible Says About Leadership’s Marriage to Divorced Christian Women
What the Bible Says About Leadership’s Marriage to Christian Widows

What the Bible says about “Sinning Beyond Repentance”

How to Handle Willful Sin / The 5 Steps for Discipline (What the Guilty Party Should Know)

Please Note: Any member of any church has the right to ask the church to intervene in their marriage if they have been left by a believing spouse who is in a state of sin. That is their right according to the Bible. If the Pastor won’t help they should ask the board.


The Teaching of the Cross (What the Innocent Party Needs to Know)


Dealing with the Issue of “Fairness”



The Nature of Christian Marriage
Please Note: Many Christians don’t understand the nature and purposes of marriage. This section deals with some beliefs, traditions and myths (yes myths), of what Christian marriage is all about (reality check people).


God’s Mercy and Forgiveness (What Everyone Needs to Know)

The Sin Against the Holy Spirit


What the Bible says about Unclean / Unsanctified Children


A Helpful Counseling Site
Another Helpful Counseling Site
A Useful Thread

The Discussion Boards of This Site




Thought provoking Paintings, Drawings and Photos (with insightful commentary)


Pictures (Part 1)
Pictures (Part 2)




The Question and Answer Section Over 50 Specific Questions and Answers regarding Divorce and Remarriage


The Question and Answer Section



An Essay on Christian Decision Making




Divorce and Remarriage Links


Click Here for Links to Other Sites





The Lampstand of the Book of Revelation




The Lampstand of Christian Witness was given to the Gentiles (Rev 1:20) in order to make Israel Jealous (Romans 11:11). Any church that condones the remarriage of Christians who have been divorce from other Christians is in danger of losing that Christian witness (Rev 2:5) and may in fact have already done so.

Churches, Pastors, take a stand against the remarriage of Christians who have been divorce from other Christians in your church. Take a stand for the sake of your church’s testimony in the world. God CAN make everything right with the errors you’ve made in the past... only take a stand now, today, before it’s too late and you lose that Christian witness.

and you will lose that Christian witness.





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