Beth-El Baptist Church

03/08/2009

Greg Tomlinson


Is remarriage ok after the unbelieving spouse departs?


There are several views related to marriage and divorce within the umbrella of Christianity. There is the view that divorce is only permissible in the case or marital infidelity. Others add abandonment to the infidelity issue. Others reject all reasons as being acceptable before God. Regardless of the reason behind the divorce, the reality is that divorce happens, even in Christian homes. The next issue to be dealt with is the prospect of compounding the sin if a remarriage does occur after a divorce, even if the divorce is for “acceptable” reasons.


  1. What is meant by “ok” in this question?

Romans 5:14 1 Corinthians 7:27-28

Genesis 4:7 Job 42:9

Psalm 19:14 Romans 1:20; 12:1-2; 14:17-19

Ephesians 1:6 1 Peter 2:20


To be “ok” means that the remarriage would be acceptable to God. It is a type of excuse that not even God would reject. It is the idea of not adding further sin to whatever the situation is that surrounds the divorce.


  1. What is the root cause for divorce?

1 Corinthians 7:12-13 Matthew 19:7-9; Mark 10:2-5

Matthew 19:9-11 cmp Mark 10:5-12 Matthew 5:31-37

Deuteronomy 24:1-4 cmp Jeremiah 3:1 Hosea 1:2

Isaiah 50:1-2


Whenever the reasons behind divorce is discussed in the scriptures, it is always associated with the lack of grace and the hardness of the heart on the part of one of the partners. Note that in the case of Israel, it was Israel who departed from God and joined herself to another. Yet even in this case (spiritual adultery), that God was willing to take Israel back to become His faithful wife.


  1. Why would some hold that remarriage could be acceptable?

1 Corinthians 7:15


The scriptures identify that if an unbelieving spouse separates from the believing spouse (the unbeliever seeks after the divorce) then the unbeliever is to be allowed to leave, thus breaking the bond between them. If there is no bond between them, then the marriage relationship would be viewed as having never taken place and therefore, they are free to go and marry someone else.


  1. Does “not under bondage” mean that the marriage is annulled?

1 Corinthians 7:10-16 Romans 7:2-3

1 Corinthians 7:39 Mark 10:6-12


A divorce caused by the departing of the unbeliever does not cause the relationship to have never existed. This is not the case of an annulment but by looking closely at the text, the understanding should become clearer. Verses 12-13 deal with a marriage of a believer with an unbeliever. This is the case in which both were married as unbelievers but at some point in time during the marriage, one of them became an believer. As long as the unbeliever is “pleased to dwell” with the believer, the marriage remains. The assumption is that the believer should be “pleased to dwell” with the unbeliever. Verse 15 then points to the case in which the unbeliever is not “pleased to dwell” with the believer. The believer is called to be at peace in the situation and not to fight against the unbeliever. Verse 16 indicates the reason they are to be willing to let the unbeliever depart, the unbeliever's salvation is not guaranteed.


  1. What if the divorcee finds another and wants to be remarried?

1 Corinthians 7:11, 27-28 1 Corinthians 7:8-9


Note that when a divorce happens, they are first to try to remain unmarried or reconciled to their husband (v11). While they are separated from their spouse, they are not to search out to find a new spouse (v27). If they find themselves in a condition in which they would be consumed with passion (burn) for someone, then the possibility for remarriage does exist (vv8-9). This is a difficult situation and could be viewed as a type of compromise in that it is better to remarry than commit fornication. The preference though is to remain unmarried.