Because of the high divorce rate in the West amongst Christians,[1] a natural follow up question to whether or not Christians may divorce is whether or not Christians are allowed to remarry after divorce. Unfortunately, I have not heard many sermons or teachings from Scripture on this topic. Further, most of those I know who remarried as a Christian were never told what the Bible says or given adequate counselling about remarriage. Thankfully, Scripture is clear on this topic so there should be no confusion.
Christian men and women who divorce should never remarry because remarriage is the equivalent of committing adultery. There are three exceptions to this rule: (1) remarriage to original spouse, (2) remarriage after spouse dies, and (3) remarriage after spouse commits sexual immorality.
Since the question about remarriage regards Christians, I will only treat those passages that refer to how Christiansshould behave; that is, those who are disciples of Jesus, under the New Covenant, members of the church, and citizens of the kingdom of heaven/God.
What Jesus Teaches about Remarriage (Matt 5:31–32; 19:9; Mark 10:11–12; Luke 16:18)
There are four sayings of Jesus that cover the topic of divorce and remarriage (Matt 5:31–32; 19:9; Mark 10:11–12; Luke 16:18). It should be noted that these four texts do not contradict each other. Each Gospel writer has focused on a particular aspect of what Jesus was saying about remarriage. It is quite likely that Jesus spoke about divorce and remarriage on more than one occasion as evidenced in the two sayings on the topic in Matthew (5:31–32 and 19:9) and the two locations that Jesus talks about it in Mark ([a] speaking openly with the Pharisees [10:2–9] and [b] speaking privately with the disciples [10:10–12]). Plus, the setting is slightly different in each Gospel, again, suggesting that Jesus spoke about divorce and remarriage multiple times. This is important because it gives a plausible reason for the differences in each account. We will only focus on remarriage in this article. See my article on divorce for what Jesus says about that issue. Because I want to spend more space on the Gospel of Matthew, let’s begin with Luke, then Mark, and conclude with Matthew.
Men Who Remarry Commit Adultery (Luke 16:18)
In Luke 16:18, Jesus says the following about divorce and remarriage:
“Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.”
LUKE 16:18
Jesus makes two claims. First, every man who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery. Jesus has equated divorce and remarriage with adultery. This should not surprise us because a marriage is an agreement to be faithful to one’s spouse until the spouse dies (see my article on what marriage is). Since a man who remarries will have sex with that other woman, he is being unfaithful to his wife and is committing adultery. Adultery is labelled a sin that should be avoided at all costs (Proverbs 6:20–7:27, Matthew 5:27–28, and 1 Corinthians 6:9–10; also see my article entitled “What is Sexual Immorality according to the Bible?”). Because adultery is an abhorrent sin that should be avoided at all costs, Jesus is essentially saying a Christian man is not allowed to divorce his wife and remarry another woman. There are no exceptions.
Second, Jesus claims that any man who marries a woman who is divorced from her husband commits adultery. This means that even if the man has never before been married, he is not allowed to marry a woman who has been divorced because he is committing adultery. Further, Luke 16:18b infers that a woman who has been divorced is not allowed to marry any man because she will cause him to commit adultery.
Men and Women Who Remarry Commit Adultery (Mark 10:11–12)
In Mark 10:11–12, Jesus says the following about divorce and remarriage:
“And he said to them, ‘Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.’”
MARK 10:11–12
Jesus again makes two claims. First, like Luke 16:18, Jesus claims that any man who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery and adds “against her” (the divorced woman), emphasizing that the husband has sinned against his first wife. Again, because adultery is a grievous sin, Jesus’ claim amounts to a prohibition against divorce and remarriage.
Second, unlike in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus addresses women. He claims that just like men, any woman who divorces her husband and marries another man commits adultery. Thus, Jesus addresses both men and women. Any person, whether a man or a woman, who divorces and remarries commits adultery. Thus, no one is allowed to divorce and remarry.
Marrying a Divorced Woman is Committing Adultery (Matt 5:31–32)
In Matthew 5:31–32, Jesus says the following about divorce and remarriage:
“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
MATTHEW 5:31-32
Like Luke 16:18b, Jesus claims again that any man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery, whether or not the man has been married before. It is important to note that in Matthew 5:32 Jesus separates the issues of divorce and remarriage. Jesus permits a man to divorce his wife if she has committed sexual immorality (see more on this in my article “Are Christians Allowed to Divorce according to the Bible”). However, he does not say whether or not that man is allowed to remarry. He simply says that any man, whether married before or not, is not allowed to marry a divorced woman.
Men May Divorce and Remarry Only if the Wife is Unchaste (Matthew 19:9)
Our final passage is Matthew 19:9:
“And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”
MATTHEW 19:9
Many focus on the exception clause in Matthew 19:9. The exception clause is important, but the focus must first be on Jesus’ main clause, which is “whoever divorces his wife . . . and marries another, commits adultery.” At its core, Matthew 19:9 says the same thing as Mark 10:11 and Luke 16:18; if a man divorces his wife and marries another woman, he commits adultery. Thus, divorce and remarriage is not allowed for men.
With the above being said, Jesus introduces an exception clause and answers the question ‘what if someone divorces for the one permissible reason of sexual immorality? May that person remarry?’ Jesus’ answer is ‘yes.’ If a man divorces his wife on the grounds of sexual immorality, he may then remarry.
Summary of What Jesus Says about Divorce and Remarriage
Based on the above four passages, we can summarize what Jesus says about divorce and remarriage as follows:
- A man divorcing his wife and marrying another woman commits adultery (Matt 19:9; Mark 10:11; Luke 16:18), unless she has been unchaste (Matt 19:9).
- A man marrying a divorced woman commits adultery, regardless of whether he has been divorced or not and regardless of whether his or her divorce was for sexual immorality (Matt 5:32; Luke 16:18).
- A woman divorcing her husband and marrying another man commits adultery (Mark 10:12).
In sum, according to Jesus, remarriage is only permissible for men who have been divorced if they divorced because their wife committed sexual immorality. However, no man, regardless of circumstances may marry a divorced woman. Finally, divorced women are not allowed to remarry for any reason.
What Paul Teaches about Remarriage (Rom 7:1–3; 1 Cor 7:10–11)
The apostle Paul teaches about divorce and remarriage in two places: Romans 7:1–3 and 1 Corinthians 7:10–11). Let’s look at each in order.
Remarriage Only Permitted if the Spouse Dies (Romans 7:1–3)
In Romans 7, Paul begins by making the point that a law is only binding upon a person as long as that person is alive: “Or do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives?” (Rom 7:1, emphasis added).
Paul seeks to make the point that a law is only binding upon a person as long as that person is alive for his argument later in the chapter, which states that those who believe in Jesus are no longer under the law (probably referring to the Old Testament Law) because they have been united with Jesus’ death (Rom 7:4–6). To support his claim that a law is only binding upon a person as long as that person is alive, Paul gives the example of marriage in Romans 7:2–3. Note what Paul says:
“For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress”
ROMANS 7:2–3, emphasis added
Paul makes a number of important points in these two verses:
- Marriage is for life: “a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives.”
- A woman is only released from her marriage if her husband dies: “if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage.” This suggests that divorce is not allowed.
- If a woman attaches herself to another man while her husband is still alive, she commits adultery: “she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive.” The verb “lives” is γίνομαι and indicates joining or attaching oneself to another person in this context. The joining may come either through marriage (such as the KJV translation), sexual intercourse, living together, etc. Thus, just like Jesus, Paul considers remarriage adultery, but adds the caveat that it is not adultery if the husband is dead.
- If the woman’s husband dies, she is free from the law of marriage and may marry another man: “But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.” The word for “marry” in this quote is also γίνομαι, which the ESV translated as “lives” in the previous sentence of Romans 7:3. Translations such as the NASB, NET, or KJV are consistent in their translation of γίνομαι throughout Romans 7:3.
It should also be noted that Paul is not teaching a formal theology of marriage. He is using the law of marriage as an example of his main point that a law is binding upon a person as long as that person lives. Thus, although Paul’s comments focus on a woman who is married to a man, the principle he is espousing can equally be applied to a man who is married to a woman. Everything Paul says about a wife also applies to a husband.
We can summarize Paul’s teaching about divorce and remarriage in Romans 7:2–3 as follows. A married person is bound to his or her spouse for life. A married person may only remarry if his or her spouse dies. If a married person remarries or joins together with another person before the first spouse is dead, the married person commits adultery. Thus, remarriage is not allowed unless the first spouse dies.
Remarriage Only Permitted If Marrying Original Spouse (1 Cor 7:10–11)
The apostle Paul responds to the Corinthian Christians’ questions about relationships in 1 Corinthians 7, including a comment about divorce. Paul’s instructions are as follows:
“To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife”
1 CORINTHIANS 7:10–11, emphasis added
In his parenthetical comment, Paul clearly states that if a wife separates (divorce) from her husband, then she is to either (a) to remain unmarried or (b) to reconcile and, thus, remarry her husband. Paul does not allow for a divorced woman to remarry anyone other than the man she divorced. If the husband does not wish to remarry, the woman will have to remain unmarried.
Paul’s comments are parenthetical and come between his identical instructions for wives and husbands: the wife should not divorce her husband (1 Cor 7:10) and the husband should not divorce his wife (7:11). It is plausible that because Paul gives the same instructions about divorce to husbands and wives, that his instructions about remarriage to wives are also the same to husbands even though he does not explicitly state it. Throughout 1 Corinthians 7, Paul frequently gives the same advice to men and women. In fact, every instruction Paul gives leading up to his instructions about divorce and remarriage are given to both men and women equally (1 Cor 7:1–9). Thus, I understand Paul’s instructions about remarriage are for both wives and husbands.
In summary, Paul instructs Christian men and women who are divorced to remain single (i.e., do not remarry), unless they reconcile with their spouse in which case they may remarry their spouse.
Summary of What Paul Says about Remarriage
Based on Romans 7:1–3 and 1 Corinthians 7:10–11, a married person is bound to his or her spouse for life. If one’s spouse dies, the living partner is permitted to remarry. If a divorce happens, the couple must remain single unless they reconcile and remarry each other. If a divorced person remarries someone other than the person they divorced, that person is committing adultery.
Concluding Comments
According to Jesus and the apostle Paul, men and women who divorce should never remarry because remarriage is the equivalent of committing adultery (Matt 19:9; Mark 10:11–12; Luke 16:18; Rom 7:2–3; 1 Cor 7:11). There are three exceptions to this rule, however. First, the divorced couple may reconcile and remarry each other (1 Cor 7:11). Second, if one of the spouses dies, then the other is free to remarry whoever he/she desires (Rom 7:2–3). Third, if one’s spouse commits sexual immorality, then the non-offending spouse may divorce and remarry (Matt 19:9). Finally, it should be noted that Jesus forbids any man (whether he has been married before or not) from marrying a divorced woman (whether it was for sexual immorality or not) because it is the equivalent of committing adultery (Matt 5:32; Luke 16:18).
The most difficult question for most Christians regarding the issue of divorce and remarriage is whether we should appropriate (“do”) what the Bible says. In other words, should I take the New Testament seriously and apply what it says about divorce and remarriage to my life and the lives of other Christians?
Sadly, most Christians and churches in the West do not apply what the New Testament says about divorce and remarriage to their lives and the lives of those in the church. Why? Although I can’t give a definitive reason, I think the Western church has largely ignored the New Testament’s position on divorce and remarriage because (a) we don’t believe the Bible has authority over this area of our lives and (b) we simply want to do what we desire, even if the Bible says it is wrong.
Personally, I believe all Christians and churches should appropriate the New Testament’s teaching on divorce and remarriage because the above referenced texts speak about how Christians are supposed to conduct their lives, that is, how disciples of Jesus, who are under the New Covenant, members of the church, and citizens of the kingdom of heaven/God are supposed to live as faithful disciples of Jesus. I am a disciple of Jesus; therefore, the above referenced texts are authoritative over my life and the life of all Jesus’ disciples regardless of the year or culture in which they live.
Table Summarizing What Key Passages of the Bible Say about Divorce and Remarriage for Christians
| Bible Passage | What the Passage Says about Divorce | What the Passage Says about Remarriage |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 5:32 | A man who divorces his wife makes her commit adultery, unless she has been unchaste. | Any man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. |
| Matt 19:7–8 | Divorce is not God’s intention. | N/A |
| Matt 19:9 | A man may divorce his wife if she has been unchaste. | A man who divorces his wife and remarries commits adultery, unless his first wife was unchaste. |
| Mark 10:11–12 | N/A | A man who divorces his wife and remarries commits adultery. A woman who divorces her husband and remarries commits adultery. |
| Luke 16:18 | N/A | A man who divorces his wife and remarries commits adultery. A man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. |
| Romans 7:2–3 | N/A | A person may remarry if their spouse dies. A person who divorces and remarries commits adultery. |
| 1 Cor 7:10–11 | A Christian should never divorce | A divorced Christian is only allowed to remarry his/her original spouse. Otherwise, the divorced Christian should remain single. |
| 1 Cor 7:12–16 | A Christian may only divorce the non-Christian spouse if the non-Christian initiates the divorce. | N/A |
| 1 Cor 7:39 | N/A | A Christian may remarry if his/her spouse dies. |
| Ezra 9–10 | Not applicable to Christians | Not applicable to Christians |
[1] Barna research has shown that approximately 33% of Americans who have married have divorced at least once. Further, Barna concluded that “when evangelicals and non-evangelical born again Christians are combined into an aggregate class of born again adults, their divorce figure is statistically identical to that of non-born again adults: 32% versus 33%, respectively.” https://www.barna.com/research/new-marriage-and-divorce-statistics-released/