What Does the Bible Say About Divorce? A Protestant Christian Perspective
"When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house." — Deuteronomy 24:1
This foundational passage in Deuteronomy established the legal framework for divorce in ancient Israel Deuteronomy 24:1. It wasn't an endorsement of divorce — it was a regulation of a practice that already existed, designed to protect women by requiring a formal written document rather than an informal dismissal. The same legal process is referenced again when a subsequent husband either divorces or dies Deuteronomy 24:3, showing the bill of divorcement carried ongoing legal weight for the woman's status.
Importantly, Scripture also affirms the dignity of divorced women in their religious obligations: "every vow of a widow, and of her that is divorced, wherewith they have bound their souls, shall stand against her" Numbers 30:9 — meaning divorced women were still full covenant members, held to their vows before God. And throughout it all, the New Testament reminds us that "marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled" Hebrews 13:4, setting the positive ideal against which divorce must always be measured.
Protestant View on Divorce
"It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement." — Matthew 5:31
Protestant Christianity generally holds that marriage is a sacred covenant instituted by God, and that divorce represents a departure from that ideal. The positive vision is clear: "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge" Hebrews 13:4. Marriage isn't just a social contract — it's a morally serious commitment that God himself watches over.
At the same time, Protestants recognize that the Mosaic law did permit divorce under certain conditions. Deuteronomy 24:1 allowed a husband to issue a formal bill of divorcement if he found "some uncleanness" in his wife Deuteronomy 24:1, and Deuteronomy 24:3 extends the scenario to a second husband who similarly divorces her Deuteronomy 24:3. Most Protestant theologians, following the Reformation tradition, interpret these passages as concessions to human sinfulness rather than God's original design.
Jesus himself references the Mosaic bill of divorcement in Matthew 5:31 — "It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement" Matthew 5:31 — before raising the ethical standard higher. This is the classic Protestant interpretive move: the Old Testament regulated divorce; the New Testament calls believers back toward the original intent of marriage as a lifelong union.
Most Protestant denominations today distinguish between divorce as a tragic reality in a fallen world and remarriage, with varying positions on when remarriage is permissible. The consistent thread is that adultery violates the marriage covenant Deuteronomy 5:18, and that God's design has always been fidelity, permanence, and honor within marriage Hebrews 13:4.
Key takeaways
- The Bible permits divorce under Mosaic law as a legal concession, not a divine ideal — Deuteronomy 24:1 required a formal written bill of divorcement Deuteronomy 24:1.
- Jesus references the Old Testament divorce law in Matthew 5:31 Matthew 5:31, signaling that the New Testament raises the ethical standard for marriage.
- Marriage is described as 'honourable in all' in Hebrews 13:4 Hebrews 13:4, establishing the positive covenant ideal against which divorce must be measured.
- Divorced women retained full spiritual accountability for their vows before God, per Numbers 30:9 Numbers 30:9 — divorce didn't erase their covenant standing.
- Adultery is explicitly forbidden in the Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 5:18 Deuteronomy 5:18) and condemned in the New Testament, underscoring the seriousness of marital faithfulness.
Discussion
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