7/21/2019 Biblical Grounds for Divorce

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Question: "What are biblical grounds for divorce?"

Answer: When discussing what the Bible says about divorce, it is important to keep in mind the

words of Malachi 2:16, ! hate divorce, says the "ord #od$% Whatever grounds the Bible possibly

gives for divorce, that does not mean #od desires a divorce to occur in those instances$ &ather than

asking is '''''' a grounds for divorce,% often the (uestion should be is ''''''' grounds forforgiveness, restoration, and)or counseling*%

+he Bible gives two clear grounds for divorce: 1- se.ual immorality Matthew /:02 1:- and 2-

abandonment by an unbeliever 1 3orinthians 4:1/-$ 5ven in these two instances, though, divorce is

not re(uired or even encouraged$ +he most that can be said is that se.ual immorality and

abandonment are grounds an allowance- for divorce$ 3onfession, forgiveness, reconciliation, and

restoration are always the first steps$ ivorce should only be viewed as a last resort$

 7re there any grounds for divorce beyond what the Bible e.plicitly says* 8erhaps, but we do not

presume upon the Word of #od$ !t is very dangerous to go beyond what the Bible says 1

3orinthians 9:6-$ +he most fre(uent additional grounds for divorce that people in(uire about arespousal abuse emotional or physical-, child abuse, addiction to pornography, drug ) alcohol use,

crime ) imprisonment, and mismanagement of finances such as through a gambling addiction-$

one of these can be claimed to be e.plicit biblical grounds for a divorce$

+hat does not necessarily mean, though, that none of them are grounds for divorce which #od

would approve of$ ;or e.ample, we cannot imagine that it would be #od<s desire for a wife to remain

with a husband who physically abuses her and)or their children$ !n such an instance, the wife should

definitely separate herself and the children from the abusive husband$ =owever, even in such a

situation, a time of separation with the goal of repentance and restoration should be the ideal, not

necessarily immediately beginning divorce proceedings$ 8lease understand, by saying that the

above are not biblical grounds for divorce, we are definitely not saying that a man)woman whosespouse is engaging in such activities should remain in the situation$ !f there is any risk to self or

children, separation is a good and appropriate step$

 7nother way to look at this issue is to differentiate between biblical grounds for divorce and biblical

grounds for divorce and remarriage$ >ome interpret the two biblical grounds for divorce mentioned

above as the only grounds for remarriage after a divorce, but allow for divorce with no remarriage in

other instances$ While this is a plausible interpretation, it seems to come too close to presuming

upon the Word of #od$ ;or more information, please read the following two articles:

http:))www$got(uestions$org)divorce?remarriage$html

http:))www$got(uestions$org)divorced?remarry$html

!n summary, what are the biblical grounds for divorce* +he answer is se.ual immorality and

abandonment$ 7re there additional grounds for divorce beyond these two* 8ossibly$ !s divorce ever

to be treated lightly or employed as the first recourse* 7bsolutely not$ #od is capable of changing

and reforming any person$ #od is capable of healing and renewing any marriage$ ivorce should

only occur in instances of repeated and unrepentant heinous sin$