The Bible’s perspective on divorce and the treatment of a divorced spouse underwent a significant shift between the Old and New Testaments. While the Old Testament focused on legal protections and civic order, the New Testament moved toward a higher ideal of lifelong faithfulness.
1. The Old Testament: Legal Protections and Provisions
In the ancient Near Eastern context, women were often socially and economically vulnerable. Old Testament law provided a framework to ensure a woman was not simply cast out without legal standing.
* The Certificate of Divorce: According to Deuteronomy 24:1-4, if a man chose to divorce his wife, he was required to give her a "certificate of divorce." This was a powerful legal document. It proved she was no longer married, protecting her from charges of adultery and allowing her the legal right to remarry for her own survival and protection.
* Protection of Rights: Exodus 21:10-11 outlines that even if a man takes a second wife, he cannot diminish the food, clothing, or marital rights of the first. If he fails to provide these, she is allowed to go free.
* The Spirit of the Law: While divorce was permitted, it was never described as the "ideal." By the end of the Old Testament, the prophet Malachi records a strong warning: "For I hate divorce, says the Lord, the God of Israel" (Malachi 2:16). This highlighted that while the law regulated divorce, God's heart was for the covenant of marriage to be honored.
2. The New Testament: The Call to Lifelong Covenant
By the time of Jesus, religious leaders were debating the "grounds" for divorce. Jesus redirected the conversation from "When can I leave?" to "How can I stay?"
Jesus’ Teaching on "No Divorce"
In Matthew 19:3-9 and Mark 10:2-12, Jesus is asked if it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason.
* The Creation Intent: Jesus points back to Genesis, stating that God made them male and female and that "What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate."
* The Hardness of Hearts: When asked why Moses commanded a certificate of divorce, Jesus replied that it was allowed only because of the "hardness of hearts," but it was not the original design.
* The Exception Clause: Jesus provides a narrow exception in Matthew 19:9, stating that divorce (and remarriage) constitutes adultery, "except for sexual immorality" (Greek: porneia).
The Pauline Instructions
The Apostle Paul further expands on this in 1 Corinthians 7:
* The Command for Reconciliation: Paul instructs that a wife should not separate from her husband, but if she does, she should remain unmarried or be reconciled to him (1 Corinthians 7:10-11).
* The "Pauline Privilege": Paul adds that if a believer is married to an unbeliever and the unbeliever chooses to leave, the believer is "not under bondage" in such cases (1 Corinthians 7:15).
3. Summary of Treatment and Theology
| Testament | Primary Focus | Key Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Old Testament | Civic Protection | The "Certificate of Divorce" protected a woman's legal status and right to remarry. |
| New Testament | Spiritual Covenant | Marriage is viewed as a permanent union reflecting Christ and the Church. |
The Core Message
The progression from the Old to the New Testament is one of grace and high calling. The Old Testament provided a "safety net" for women in a harsh society, while the New Testament calls both spouses to a level of forgiveness and endurance that mirrors God's relationship with humanity.
In both cases, the Bible emphasizes that even in the midst of broken relationships, the individual—especially the vulnerable party—should be treated with justice, dignity, and truth.
By Ben Ross and Ai Gemini