What does the Bible say about can a pastor divorce and remarry?
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The Bible teaches that divorce is a grievous departure from God’s design for lifelong marriage, and that remarriage is permitted only where Scripture recognizes a valid biblical ground, while pastors must also meet the church’s high standards for godly, faithful leadership. Jesus permits divorce and remarriage in the case of sexual immorality (Matthew 5:32; 19:9), and Paul addresses abandonment by an unbelieving spouse (1 Corinthians 7:15). Otherwise, separated spouses should seek reconciliation or remain unmarried (1 Corinthians 7:10-11; Luke 16:18). Because an elder must be above reproach and the husband of one wife (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6), each case requires careful pastoral examination, repentance where sin occurred, and the church’s wise judgment.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Matthew 19:9
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."
- 1 Timothy 3:2
The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching;
- Luke 16:18
Everyone who divorces his wife, and marries another, commits adultery. He who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery.
- 1 Corinthians 7:10-11
[10] But to the married I command--not I, but the Lord--that the wife not leave her husband [11] (but if she departs, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband not leave his wife.
- Titus 1:6
if anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, who are not accused of loose or unruly behavior.
- Matthew 5:32
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.
- 1 Timothy 3:12
Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
- 1 Corinthians 7:39
A wife is bound by law for as long as her husband lives; but if the husband is dead, she is free to be married to whoever she desires, only in the Lord.
- Malachi 2:16
For I hate divorce," says Yahweh, the God of Israel, "and him who covers his garment with violence!' says Yahweh of Hosts. "Therefore take heed to your spirit, that you don't deal treacherously.
- 1 Corinthians 7:15
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.
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