What does the Bible say about adultery and divorce?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that marriage is a sacred, lifelong covenant, adultery is a serious sin, and divorce is permitted only in grievous circumstances, never to excuse hardness of heart or sexual unfaithfulness. Exodus 20:14 forbids adultery, while Proverbs 6:32 warns of its self-destructive nature. Jesus teaches in Matthew 5:31-32, Matthew 19:9, and Luke 16:18 that wrongful divorce and remarriage can involve adultery, while recognizing sexual immorality as grounds for divorce. Paul adds in 1 Corinthians 7:15 that a believer is not bound when abandoned by an unbelieving spouse. Hebrews 13:4 calls Christians to honor marriage, and the gospel offers repentance, forgiveness, and restoration to those who have sinned.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Matthew 19:9 4 votes
I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she is divorced commits adultery.”
- Matthew 5:32 4 votes
but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery.
- Luke 16:18 4 votes
“Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery. He who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery.
- Proverbs 6:32 3 votes
He who commits adultery with a woman is void of understanding. He who does it destroys his own soul.
- Exodus 20:14 3 votes
“You shall not commit adultery.
- Malachi 2:16 3 votes
One who hates and divorces”, says Yahweh, the God of Israel, “covers his garment with violence!” says Yahweh of Armies. “Therefore pay attention to your spirit, that you don’t be unfaithful.
- Matthew 5:31-32 3 votes
“It was also said, ‘Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce,’ but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery.
- Hebrews 13:4 3 votes
Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled; but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
- 1 Corinthians 7:15 3 votes
Yet if the unbeliever departs, let there be separation. The brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us in peace.
- Romans 7:2 2 votes
For the woman that has a husband is bound by law to the husband while he lives, but if the husband dies, she is discharged from the law of the husband.
Related topics
Go deeper
Ask Explain Bible AI about adultery and divorce and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.
Ask what the Bible says about adultery and divorce