Bob Prichard

Topic(s): Divorce

It is apparent that you know what the Bible says about divorce and who has the right to remarry following divorce. I do not want you to misconstrue my answer as an encouragement to you to divorce your wife. The Bible says the Lord hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). I believe the Lord hates divorce in ALL cases, even though He provides an exception to remarriage in Matthew 19:9.

Jesus also said, "What God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matthew 19:6).

However, there is another passage in the New Testament that has direct bearing on this matter -- 1 Corinthians 7:10-11. This text says,

"And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife." KJV

The word for depart in this passage must include divorce, for the word translated "unmarried" is from the Greek agameo. This word is divisible into two parts: a = opposite of, and gameo = married. Therefore, the word literally means unmarried. There is no indication that either divorcee cannot go to heaven in that particular state.

Again, I would STRONGLY urge you to seek the necessary assistance in maintaining your marriage for a number of reasons:

Divorcing your wife places her in the position of seeking another mate, either for financial or relational purposes. Matthew 5:32 says "Whosoever divorces his wife, except for the cause of fornication, causes her to commit adultery." In this text, I believe it is implied the wife who has been put away seeks to find another husband which she has no scriptural right to marry. I would not want to go to the Judgment with such on my conscience.

Single living and the resultant temptation often causes people to consider remarriage, even when they know they have no right. This often leads to new found charges of infidelity on the part of a truly innocent person, or the excuse "God wants me to be happy."

Finally, one who puts away his wife will sometimes say, "Well, they found another mate, and have therefore now committed adultery against me; therefore, I have the right to remarry." Again, this is not scriptural.

To me, the negatives far outweigh the "positives" that one might find in divorce. Please consider these prayerfully and carefully as you make your decision.