What does the Bible say

What Does the Bible Say About Divorce?

The Bible holds marriage in high honour and treats divorce as a serious grief, never God's original design, while also speaking with compassion to those it has wounded. Jesus points back to God's intention that husband and wife become one, and yet Scripture does not leave the divorced or hurting without grace. This is a tender subject, and God meets people in it gently.

What Scripture says

Here are real verses on divorce, each in the King James Version, with a word on what it means.

For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.Malachi 2:16 (KJV)

God says he hates divorce, a strong word that shows how much marriage matters to him.

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

What God has joined together, let not man put asunder.

He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.Matthew 19:8 (KJV)

Jesus says divorce was permitted because of hardness of heart, but from the beginning it was not so.

But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.1 Corinthians 7:15 (KJV)

If an unbelieving partner departs, the believer is not under bondage; God has called us to peace.

The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.Psalm 34:18 (KJV)

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, including those grieving a marriage.

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.Romans 8:1 (KJV)

There is no condemnation for those in Christ, a word of grace for the wounded and the failed.

What this means for you today

The Bible's high view of marriage is meant to protect people, not to crush those whose marriages have broken. If you are walking through divorce, God does not stand at a distance; he draws near to the brokenhearted.

Christians hold different convictions about the specific circumstances Scripture allows, and this is a place to seek wise, gentle counsel rather than easy answers. Whatever your story, there is grace in Christ, and no failure puts you beyond his love.

The deepest answer is Jesus

Jesus came for the wounded and the failed, and there is no condemnation for those who are his; grace runs deeper than any broken vow.

Every one of these Scriptures points beyond itself to a Person. The deepest answer the Bible gives to any human need is not a rule or a technique but Jesus Christ, who came, lived, died, and rose again so that you could be forgiven and brought home to God. He said, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Whatever you are carrying, you do not have to carry it alone, and you do not have to make yourself clean first. You can come to him today, just as you are.

This is the good news the whole Bible is telling. We were made for God, we have all turned from him and gone our own way, and none of us can fix that on our own. But God did not leave us there. Out of love he sent his Son to take our place, bearing our wrong on the cross and rising again to open the way back to the Father. Everyone who turns to Jesus and trusts him is forgiven, given new life, and welcomed as a beloved child of God, held by a love that will never let go. That is why the Bible's answer to every topic on this page finally leads here. You can respond right now, in your own words, simply telling God you need him and asking Jesus to be your Saviour and Lord. He hears the honest prayer of anyone who comes.

Common questions

What does the Bible say about divorce?

It treats marriage as a sacred one-flesh union not to be broken lightly (Matthew 19:6) and calls divorce a grief God hates (Malachi 2:16), while extending compassion and grace to those it has hurt (Psalm 34:18).

Does God still love me after a divorce?

Yes, completely. There is no condemnation for those in Christ (Romans 8:1), and God is especially near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). A divorce does not put you outside his love.

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