Divorce in the bible new testament

The New Testament of the Bible does not explicitly mention divorce, but it does provide guidance on marriage and relationships. Here are some key passages and teachings:

  1. Jesus' teaching on divorce: In Matthew 5:31-32, Jesus quotes from Genesis 1:27 and 2:24, emphasizing the original intention of God for marriage to be a lifelong union between one man and one woman. He then adds, "But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery." This teaching suggests that divorce is not condoned, but it also acknowledges that some situations may require separation.
  2. Paul's teaching on marriage: In 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, Paul writes, "To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer; then come together again so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control." This passage emphasizes the importance of mutual consent and the need for prayer in times of marital difficulty.
  3. The concept of "putting away": In 1 Corinthians 7:12-13, Paul discusses the concept of "putting away" (Greek: apoluo), which refers to the act of separating or divorcing. He notes that if an unbelieving spouse leaves a believing spouse, the believing spouse is not bound to continue the marriage. However, if the believing spouse leaves the unbelieving spouse, they are still bound to each other.
  4. The example of Joseph and Mary: In Matthew 1:18-25, the story of Joseph and Mary is told. When Mary became pregnant with Jesus, Joseph was initially planning to divorce her, but an angel appeared to him in a dream, instructing him to take Mary as his wife. This story highlights the importance of faithfulness and obedience in marriage.

In summary, while the New Testament does not explicitly condone divorce, it does provide guidance on marriage and relationships. Jesus' teaching emphasizes the importance of lifelong commitment, while Paul's teaching acknowledges that some situations may require separation. The concept of "putting away" is discussed, and the example of Joseph and Mary highlights the importance of faithfulness and obedience in marriage.