Can Christians Divorce and Remarry?

Few subjects are as personal, painful, and misunderstood as divorce. For some, it is a theological question. For others, it represents one of the most difficult chapters of their lives. That makes it especially important that Christians understand what Scripture actually teaches rather than relying on assumptions, traditions, or isolated passages.

In part two of a three-part deep dive into marriage and divorce, Dr. Rocky Ramsey begins not with divorce, but with the authority of Scripture. God is true. His Word is truth. All Scripture is inspired, and individual verses must be interpreted in harmony with the rest of the Bible. If we want to understand Jesus' teaching about divorce, we cannot ignore the Old Testament context that preceded it.

That context begins with the language itself. Pastor Rocky examines several Hebrew words associated with divorce and separation, showing important distinctions between driving someone away, legally ending a marriage covenant with a certificate of divorce, and sending a spouse away without such a divorce. Those distinctions become particularly important when examining passages such as Deuteronomy 24 and Malachi 2.

The Old Testament reveals a picture that may surprise some Christians. Divorce was acknowledged within the Law, remarriage was permitted, and Scripture even records extraordinary circumstances involving Ezra and Nehemiah in which divorce was commanded. Other passages established situations in which a husband was specifically prohibited from divorcing his wife.

Malachi 2 is also examined within its broader context. God's condemnation centers on men dealing treacherously with their wives. Far from giving permission for husbands to mistreat women while preserving the appearance of marriage, Scripture reveals God's concern for covenant faithfulness and His hatred of abuse and betrayal.

Jeremiah 3 adds another striking dimension to the discussion by using divorce itself to describe God's judgment upon unfaithful Israel.

None of these passages should be isolated from the rest of Scripture, nor should they be used casually to justify divorce. Instead, they establish the Biblical foundation necessary for understanding what Jesus later says when questioned about Moses and divorce in Matthew 19.

The goal is neither to loosen Scripture nor make it stricter than God made it. Deuteronomy warns God's people not to add to His commands or take away from them. When dealing with something as consequential as marriage and divorce, Christians must be willing to ask a difficult but necessary question:

What does the Bible really say?