What does the Bible say about divorce forgiveness?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that divorce is a grievous breaking of God’s covenant design for marriage, yet Christ offers real forgiveness, mercy, and restoration to all who repent and believe. Jesus points back to God’s intention that husband and wife remain one flesh, while recognizing sexual immorality as a serious violation of the marriage covenant (Matthew 5:31-32; Matthew 19:9). Paul urges separated spouses, where possible, to seek reconciliation and peace (1 Corinthians 7:10-11). Malachi 2:16 warns against the violence and faithlessness often bound up with divorce. Yet no sin is beyond God’s pardon through Christ’s blood (Mark 3:28; Ephesians 1:7). Believers forgiven by God are also called to forgive others sincerely and repeatedly (Matthew 6:14-15; Matthew 18:21-22).
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- Mark 3:28
Most assuredly I tell you, all of the children of men's sins will be forgiven them, including their blasphemies with which they may blaspheme;
- Matthew 18:21-22
[21] Then Peter came and said to him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?" [22] Jesus said to him, "I don't tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven.
- Ephesians 1:7
in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
- 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 7:10-11
[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.
- Matthew 6:14-15
[14] "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. [15] But if you don't forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
- Matthew 5:31-32
[31] "It was also said, 'Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce,' [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.
- 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."
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