The question “Is remarriage a sin?” is one that touches deep wounds, broken dreams, grief, repentance, and hope. Many believers ask it not out of curiosity, but from pain—after divorce, abandonment, abuse, or the death of a spouse. The Bible does not ignore this question, and it does not answer it casually. Scripture speaks with both holiness and mercy, truth and grace.
The Bible’s teaching on remarriage cannot be separated from God’s original design for marriage. To fully understand this foundation, it is important to first grasp the biblical meaning of holy matrimony as revealed in Scripture.
This teaching examines the matter only from the Bible, allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture, without cultural bias or human opinion.
1. God’s Original Design for Marriage
To understand remarriage, we must begin where God began.
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24)
Marriage was designed by God as:
- A covenant, not a contract
- A one-flesh union
- Intended to be lifelong
Jesus reaffirmed this original design:
“What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Matthew 19:6)
From God’s ideal standpoint, marriage is meant to last until death. This establishes the high value God places on marital faithfulness.
Marriage is not merely a social arrangement but a sacred covenant established by God Himself. This covenantal understanding is explored in greater depth in The Biblical Meaning of Holy Matrimony, where Scripture reveals God’s heart for marriage.
2. Why Divorce Exists at All
Jesus explained that divorce was not part of God’s original intention:
“Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.” (Matthew 19:8)
2. Why Divorce Exists at All (Continued)
Divorce exists because of human sin, not divine design. Hardness of heart includes:
- Persistent unrepentance
- Covenant-breaking behavior
- Refusal to live in peace and truth
God does not celebrate divorce, yet He addresses it because He is a redeeming God who steps into broken realities.
“The LORD hates divorce…” (Malachi 2:16)
This verse does not mean God hates divorced people. Rather, He hates:
- Violence done to the covenant
- Treachery against a spouse
- The pain and injustice divorce produces
Understanding this prepares us to approach remarriage with both reverence and compassion.
3. Jesus’ Teaching on Divorce and Remarriage
Jesus spoke most directly about remarriage in the Gospels.
A. The General Warning
“Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery.” (Matthew 19:9; Mark 10:11)
At first glance, this sounds absolute. But Jesus did not stop there.
B. The Explicit Exception
“…except for sexual immorality.” (Matthew 19:9)
This exception is crucial. The Greek word porneia refers to sexual sin that violates the marriage covenant.
Biblical truth:
- Adultery breaks the one-flesh bond
- Covenant-breaking sin creates moral grounds for divorce
- Where divorce is biblically permitted, remarriage is not condemned
Jesus did not say remarriage after lawful divorce is adultery. He said unlawful divorce followed by remarriage is adultery.
4. Adultery and Covenant Breach
Scripture consistently treats adultery as a serious covenant violation.
“Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; he who does so destroys his own soul.” (Proverbs 6:32)
When adultery occurs and the offending spouse refuses repentance, the covenant is already broken before legal divorce happens.
Jesus’ teaching shows:
- The sin is not remarriage itself
- The sin is breaking a valid covenant without biblical cause
5. Paul’s Teaching on Marriage and Remarriage
The Apostle Paul gives further clarity in 1 Corinthians 7, a foundational chapter on marriage.
A. When a Spouse Dies
“A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 7:39)
Clear Bible truth:
Remarriage after the death of a spouse is not a sin. It is fully permitted, provided it is in the Lord.
B. Desertion by an Unbelieving Spouse
“If the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases.” (1 Corinthians 7:15)
This verse is powerful and often overlooked.
“Not under bondage” means:
- The believer is no longer bound to the marital covenant
- God does not require forced captivity in abandonment
- Peace is God’s priority
“God has called us to peace.”
Where abandonment occurs, Scripture releases the faithful spouse from bondage—which includes the freedom to remarry.
6. Is Remarriage Always Sin After Divorce?
Biblically, no. Remarriage becomes sinful only when:
- Divorce occurs without biblical grounds
- A valid covenant is broken selfishly
- Repentance and reconciliation were rejected
However, the Bible recognizes legitimate covenant-ending situations:
- Death
- Sexual immorality
- Abandonment by an unbelieving spouse
In these cases, remarriage is not condemned by Scripture.
7. What About Those Who Remarried in Sin?
The Bible does not ignore failure—but it never traps believers in permanent condemnation.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
God does not demand:
- Breaking a current marriage to “fix” a past mistake
- Living under lifelong guilt
Once repentance occurs:
- Sin is forgiven
- The new covenant is honored
- Grace covers the past
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)
8. God’s Character: Justice and Mercy Together
God is:
- Holy
- Faithful
- Just
- Merciful
He hates covenant-breaking, but He restores broken lives.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)
Jesus’ ministry showed that:
- Truth does not crush repentant hearts
- Grace does not cancel holiness
- Redemption is always possible
9. What the Bible Does NOT Teach
The Bible does not teach that:
- Every remarriage is adultery
- Divorced people are second-class believers
- Past marital sin is unforgivable
- God withholds blessing forever
Such ideas come from misapplied Scripture, not God’s Word.
10. Walking in Wisdom and the Fear of God
Scripture encourages careful, prayerful decisions:
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart… and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5–6)
Before remarriage, the Bible encourages:
- Honest self-examination
- Repentance where needed
- Submission to God’s will
- Marriage “in the Lord”
Conclusion: Is Remarriage a Sin?
Bible truth answer: Remarriage is not inherently a sin.
It becomes sin only when:
- God’s covenant order is violated without biblical cause
- Pride and rebellion replace repentance and truth
But where:
- Death has occurred
- Adultery has broken the covenant
- Abandonment has released bondage
- Repentance has cleansed the past
God permits remarriage and blesses obedience.
“The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy.” (Psalm 145:8)
This is the balance of Scripture: High holiness, deep mercy, and redeeming grace.
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