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What does the Bible say about marriage separation?

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The Bible teaches that marriage is a sacred, lifelong covenant, so separation and divorce are grievous matters that should not be pursued lightly. Jesus and Paul call husband and wife to remain united, seek reconciliation where possible, and fulfill their mutual duties of love and faithfulness. In 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, a separated spouse is urged to remain unmarried or be reconciled. Scripture recognizes that an unbelieving spouse may choose to depart, in which case the believing spouse is not enslaved (1 Corinthians 7:15), and Jesus identifies sexual immorality as a serious breach of the covenant (Matthew 19:9). God calls spouses to honor one another, live considerately, and reflect Christlike love (Ephesians 5:33; 1 Peter 3:7).

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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • 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.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:2-5

    [2] But, because of sexual immoralities, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. [3] Let the husband render to his wife the affection owed her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. [4] The wife doesn't have authority over her own body, but the husband. Likewise also the husband doesn't have authority over his own body, but the wife. [5] Don't deprive one another, unless it is by consent for a season, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer, and may be together again, that Satan doesn't tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

  • 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.

  • 1 Peter 3:7

    You husbands, in like manner, live with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor to the woman, as to the weaker vessel, as being also joint heirs of the grace of life; that your prayers may not be hindered.

  • 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.

  • Hebrews 13:4

    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 7:10

    But to the married I command--not I, but the Lord--that the wife not leave her husband

  • Ephesians 5:33

    Nevertheless each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

  • 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."

  • Romans 7:2

    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.

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