Remarriage is a topic that carries with it deep emotional and spiritual significance. Whether stemming from a divorce, the death of a spouse, or other circumstances, remarriage presents complex questions about God’s will, forgiveness, and restoration. In Christian circles, debates often arise about whether remarriage is permissible according to the Bible, and if so, under what conditions.
The Bible contains many verses that address marriage, divorce, and remarriage, offering a blend of guidance, wisdom, and grace. For those seeking clarity on remarriage, the Scriptures provide comfort, as well as a reminder of God’s redemptive power in our lives.
In this article, we will explore 27 Bible verses about remarriage, each shedding light on different aspects of this important subject. These verses not only speak to the legitimacy of remarriage in certain circumstances but also highlight God’s principles for love, faithfulness, and healing in relationships.
What Does the Bible Say About Remarriage?
Remarriage, according to the Bible, is a sensitive subject. Jesus taught extensively on the sanctity of marriage and the weight of divorce. His teachings remind us that marriage is not just a social contract but a divine institution. However, the Bible also acknowledges the reality of human failure, sin, and suffering, which sometimes lead to divorce.
While divorce itself is not God’s ideal, the Bible does allow for remarriage under specific circumstances. The most common interpretation of these circumstances revolves around adultery and abandonment, though the grace and mercy of God offer hope for all situations.
Let’s dive into 27 Bible verses that provide insight into God’s heart for remarriage and what the Scriptures teach about healing, forgiveness, and moving forward after divorce.
1. Matthew 5:32 – Adultery as Grounds for Divorce
“But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress; and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.”
In this verse, Jesus acknowledges that adultery is a legitimate reason for divorce. If a person divorces their spouse because of infidelity, they are permitted to remarry without committing adultery. This teaching is foundational for understanding the biblical allowance for remarriage after divorce.
2. Matthew 19:9 – Jesus on Divorce and Remarriage
“I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
Jesus reinforces His earlier statement about divorce and remarriage in Matthew 5, further clarifying that sexual immorality is a valid ground for divorce. If divorce occurs due to adultery, remarriage is not considered sinful.
3. Mark 10:11-12 – Jesus on the Consequences of Divorce
“He answered, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.'”
These verses emphasize the sanctity of marriage and discourage divorce. Jesus acknowledges the seriousness of breaking the marriage covenant and the impact it has on remarriage.
4. 1 Corinthians 7:15 – Abandonment as Grounds for Remarriage
“But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.”
In cases where an unbeliever abandons a believer, this verse suggests that the believer is no longer bound to the marriage covenant. The abandoned spouse is free to remarry. This provides a basis for remarriage in situations where a spouse leaves due to faith differences.
5. 1 Corinthians 7:39 – Widow’s Right to Remarry
“A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.”
The apostle Paul affirms that widows are free to remarry after the death of their spouse. The key condition is that the new spouse must be a believer, showing the importance of shared faith in remarriage.
6. Romans 7:2-3 – The Law of Marriage After Death
“For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law that binds her to him. So then, if she has sexual relations with another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.”
Paul provides further clarification that death ends the binding covenant of marriage, and remarriage is permissible for a widow or widower without sinning.
7. Matthew 19:6 – God’s Plan for Marriage
“So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
This verse reminds us that marriage is a divine institution created by God. While divorce and remarriage are sometimes allowed, God’s original plan for marriage is one of unity and permanence. The ideal is for couples to remain together in a faithful, loving relationship.
8. Malachi 2:16 – God’s View on Divorce
“I hate divorce,” says the Lord God of Israel, “and I hate a man covering himself with violence as well as with his garment,” says the Lord Almighty. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not break faith.”
Here, God expresses His disdain for divorce, underscoring that it is not His ideal. Despite this, the Bible also provides allowances for remarriage under certain circumstances, showing that God’s heart is ultimately for healing and restoration.
9. Deuteronomy 24:1-2 – Divorce and Remarriage in the Old Testament
“If a man marries a woman who becomes displeasing to him because he finds something indecent about her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house, and if after she leaves his house she becomes the wife of another man…”
This Old Testament law addresses the process of divorce, indicating that remarriage after divorce was recognized in the Law of Moses. However, the complexity of divorce is evident in this passage, which would later be clarified by Jesus in the Gospels.
10. Luke 16:18 – Remarriage After Divorce
“Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
This passage reflects Jesus’ teaching on the seriousness of divorce and remarriage. It emphasizes that remarriage after divorce, if not based on biblical grounds, leads to adultery.
11. 1 Timothy 5:14 – Remarriage of Widows
“So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.”
Paul encourages widows to remarry as part of God’s plan for their lives. Remarriage is seen as a way to provide for their emotional and social needs, while also serving the kingdom of God.
12. 2 Corinthians 5:17 – New Creation in Christ
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
While not directly about remarriage, this verse highlights the renewal found in Christ. Those who enter remarriage, having experienced divorce, can find a fresh start and healing in their relationship with God.
13. Ephesians 5:25-33 – The Marriage Covenant
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.”
This passage speaks to the sacrificial love that should characterize marriage, reminding us that marriage is a picture of Christ’s love for the church. Though remarriage may be necessary in some cases, the goal is to reflect the love and faithfulness of Christ.
14. Hebrews 13:4 – Honor Marriage
“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”
This verse emphasizes the sanctity of marriage. Whether in a first or subsequent marriage, the commitment to honor the marriage relationship is paramount.
15. 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 – Reconciliation and Remarriage
“To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.”
This passage encourages reconciliation in marriages that face difficulties, but it also acknowledges the possibility of remarriage if reconciliation is not possible.
16. 1 Peter 3:1-2 – Wives and Husbands in New Marriages
“Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.”
In a new marriage, especially when one spouse is not yet a believer, this passage emphasizes the power of godly behavior to impact the relationship. It underscores that a new marriage should reflect Christ’s love.
17. Matthew 22:30 – The Resurrection and Marriage
“At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.”
This verse reminds us that the earthly institution of marriage will not persist into eternity. It provides perspective on the temporary nature of marriage and the ultimate goal of eternal union with God.
18. Romans 8:1 – No Condemnation in Christ
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
For anyone who has gone through divorce and remarriage, this verse is a reminder that in Christ, there is no condemnation. The grace of God covers our past mistakes and enables us to move forward.
19. Colossians 3:13 – Forgiveness in Marriage
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Forgiveness is essential in both new and existing marriages. If there has been pain from past relationships, God calls us to forgive as we have been forgiven.
20. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – Love in Marriage
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”
In remarriage, as in all marriages, the foundation should be love that reflects Christ’s love for the church. This passage provides a clear picture of what love looks like in action.
21. Proverbs 18:22 – A Good Wife is a Blessing
“He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.”
This verse affirms the goodness of marriage and the blessings that come with a godly spouse, whether in a first or subsequent marriage.
22. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – The Blessing of Partnership
“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”
In remarriage, we experience the blessing of companionship and mutual support, reflecting the truth that we are not meant to walk alone in life.
23. 1 Corinthians 7:8-9 – Encouragement for the Unmarried
“Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”
Paul provides wisdom for those considering remarriage, suggesting that it is better to remarry than to live in sexual immorality.
24. Philippians 4:13 – Strength for a New Beginning
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
For those beginning a new chapter in remarriage, this verse offers the reminder that God empowers us to live in His will, including navigating the challenges of remarriage.
25. Isaiah 54:5 – God as the Redeemer of Relationships
“For your Maker is your husband—the Lord Almighty is his name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.”
In the context of remarriage, this verse points to God as the ultimate Redeemer of relationships, showing that He can restore even broken situations.
26. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 – Living a Holy Life in Marriage
“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable.”
In remarriage, we are called to live holy lives, avoiding sin and honoring God in our relationships.
27. Revelation 21:4 – The Ultimate Healing in Christ
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Ultimately, all pain, including the pain from past divorces and remarriages, will be wiped away in Christ. In the new heavens and new earth, God promises ultimate restoration and healing.
Conclusion
The Bible offers a rich and nuanced view of remarriage, allowing for grace, forgiveness, and healing in situations where divorce has occurred. While God’s ideal is for marriages to remain intact, His Word acknowledges human brokenness and provides paths for healing and restoration. As we reflect on these verses, we are reminded that in Christ, there is always the opportunity for renewal and a fresh start, no matter the circumstances of our past. God’s love and grace cover us, and He desires for us to walk in peace, righteousness, and faithfulness in all our relationships.
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