What does the Bible say about married the wrong person?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible does not teach that a difficult or disappointing marriage means one has married the “wrong person,” but calls husband and wife to honor their covenant before God with faithfulness, love, repentance, and forgiveness. Genesis 2:18, 24 and Matthew 19:6 present marriage as God’s joining of a man and woman into one flesh. Though Scripture recognizes grievous situations, including sexual immorality and abandonment by an unbelieving spouse, in Matthew 19:9 and 1 Corinthians 7:15, it does not encourage casual divorce. Malachi 2:16 warns against treachery, while Ephesians 5:33 and 4:32 call spouses to sacrificial love, respect, kindness, and forgiveness. Believers should seek godly counsel, pursue peace, and entrust their desires to the Lord.

Top passages, ranked by readers

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

  • 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.

  • 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."

  • 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.

  • Psalms 37:4

    Also delight yourself in Yahweh, And he will give you the desires of your heart.

  • Matthew 19:6

    So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, don't let man tear apart."

  • Ephesians 4:32

    And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.

  • 1 Peter 3:1

    In like manner, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; so that, even if any don't obey the Word, they may be won by the behavior of their wives without a word;

  • 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.

  • Genesis 2:24

    Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his wife, and they will be one flesh.

  • Genesis 2:18

    Yahweh God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him."

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