Divorce Law in the Bible

The Bible’s divorce rules are so ridiculously complicated that almost nobody follows them today-because they’re simply impossible. And when something is impossible, it raises a big question: How can God give a rule that nobody can actually follow? A divine law should be practical, not a trap that pushes people into confusion. This kind of contradiction makes people question their faith, and honestly, it’s understandable why some turn to atheism or agnosticism when they see nonsense like this, But here’s the real hypocrisy: Instead of admitting that their own religious teachings are full of contradictions, some people suddenly start acting like atheists themselves! The moment they realize their own beliefs don’t make sense, they start borrowing atheist arguments, rejecting religious rules when they don’t suit them. But do they stop there? Nope! They go a step further and start mocking Islam, as if that will somehow fix the mess in their own faith. Instead of just saying, “Okay, maybe our rules don’t add up,” they go full damage control mode, attacking other beliefs just to distract from their own problems, So, let’s get this straight: You can’t follow your own book, you cherry-pick atheist arguments when it’s convenient, and then you turn around and mock Islam? That’s not faith, that’s coping at its finest.

Divorce in the Bible: Understanding Biblical Perspectives

There is no explicit concept of divorce in the New Testament Bible. Instead, it is highly recommended for spouses to live together, even if they are unhappy with each other or facing difficulties in their marriage. In cases where one spouse harms the other, separation is still not allowed. However, in certain circumstances, divorce is permissible. For example, in Matthew 5:32 and 19:9, Jesus allows for divorce in cases of adultery or sexual immorality.

📖Matthew 19:9
I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.

• Divorce is only allowed if a spouse engages in sexual immorality, the other partner may be justified in seeking a divorce without being considered to have committed adultery. It is important to note that only men are allowed to divorce their wives if they find their spouses engaging in sexual immorality but If anyone divorces their wife for reasons other than sexual immorality, it is considered adultery.
  

Can someone marry the divorced woman?

📖Luke 16:18
Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

• Marriage to divorced women is considered adultery, making it entirely forbidden for a man to remarry, he lacks the right to marry again also If a man marries a divorced woman, it is noted because a previous verse specifies that when someone divorces his wife, it is only allowed if the wife commits adultery. This implies that if I have a wife and discover she committed adultery, I have the right to divorce her. However, another man can’t marry her because she committed adultery. If anyone marries her, he also commits adultery. This command appears to conflict with human rights. How can it be adultery if my wife commits adultery, and if I divorce her, and another man marries her to take care her, and my wife repents for her mistakes?
  

  📖1 Corinthians 7:10-11
  To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband, But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.

  • This verse indicates that if a woman separates from her husband for any reason, she has no right to marry another man. It means that if any woman separates from her husband due to any reason, she has no right to marry another man. Instead, she needs to resolve the issue, and the husband has no right to divorce her.

  📖Luke 20:28
  If a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.

  • According to this verse, if a woman was not divorced by her husband, and her husband dies, it is recommended for her to marry her brother-in-law. However, if her brother-in-law does not marry her, she has the right to marry any unmarried man because she wasn’t divorced due to adultery; rather, her husband died, and an unmarried man can marry her, It’s crucial to highlight that I included ‘unmarried man’ because the Bible lacks any reference to a married man, whose wife has died, having the right to marry another virgin or a woman whose husband died. While it could be permissible, such scenarios are not explicitly mentioned in the Bible.

  📖1 Corinthians 7:39
  A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.

  • According to this verse, she had the right to marry based on her own wishes, but if her husband is alive and there are issues in the family, both aren’t happy; they had no right to divorce each other.

  📖Romans 7:2-3
  For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.

  • So basically In Christianity, women are considered to be submissive to their husbands, and they cannot seek divorce if their husbands are bad. Similarly, husbands, according to Genesis, are expected to rule over their wives, and they do not have the right to divorce them. Instead, if there is an issue with his wife, the husband should rule over her rather than seek divorce.

Women Must Give Birth for Salvation

📖1 Timothy 2:15
But women will be saved through 👉childbearing👈🏻—if they continue in faith, love, and holiness with propriety.

• Christianity teaches that Jesus died for the sins of humanity, and according to Paul himself, salvation is through faith in Jesus alone but in 1 Timothy 2:15, Paul states that women will be saved through childbearing. This raises a contradiction:

1️⃣ If faith in Jesus is the only requirement for salvation, then why does childbirth become a condition for women?
2️⃣ What about women who cannot conceive? Does that mean they cannot attain salvation?
3️⃣ Why is a woman’s worth being reduced to childbirth? Why not salvation through faith and righteousness alone like men? Why this extra biological restriction?

And here’s the most striking part: The same people who claim that Christianity uplifts women will ignore this verse, which reduces them to baby-making machines, as if their spiritual worth depends on their uterus. If faith, love, and holiness matter, then why throw in childbirth as a condition? It almost seems like this was inserted to keep women in a specific role, rather than it being an actual divine requirement, So, what happens if a woman follows every biblical teaching, remains pure, faithful, and devoted, but never has children? Does she just lose her ticket to heaven? That’s not divine justice, that’s a flawed, sexist system that doesn’t even hold up logically.

Husbands are the heads of their wives

Husbands are the heads of their wives, and wives should obey their husbands, just as Jesus is obeyed. This is mentioned in 1 Peter 3:6, where Sarah called Abraham her Lord  1 Peter 3:6 

📖1 Corinthians 11:3
New International Version
But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

📖Ephesians 5:22
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

Christian Separation from Non-Believers

📖2 Thessalonians 3:6
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.

• 2 Thessalonians 3:6 conveys Paul’s instruction to fellow believers to distance themselves from those who are idle, disruptive, and do not adhere to the teachings they have received. The term “idle” refers to individuals who are lazy, lacking in purpose, or neglecting their responsibilities within the community. “Disruptive” signifies those who cause division, discord, or disturbance among the believers.

Contradiction: From Polygamy to One-Wife Only?

The Old Testament clearly allowed multiple marriages, with prophets like Abraham, Jacob, David, and Solomon having multiple wives. Yet, when we move to the New Testament, suddenly, the rule changes:

📖Matthew 19:4-5 – “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?”

• So now, the New Testament claims that God only made one man for one woman, but if that’s the case, why did He allow 4,000 years of polygamy before suddenly changing the rule? Was God okay with polygamy for thousands of years and then randomly decided it was wrong? Now, while Jesus is recorded as saying this, the real issue is: Did Jesus actually say it? Every account of his words comes from stories written long after he was gone, and we have no way of verifying whether these are his actual words or later additions. In reality, the New Testament is full of contradictions, especially between what Jesus supposedly said and what Paul came up with later, And that brings us to the biggest contradiction: If Jesus’ command was truly meant for all of mankind, then why did God allow polygamy for 4,000 years? This rule could be for a specific time and people, just as previous laws were given for different generations. For 4,000 years, polygamy was allowed, and suddenly, in the New Testament, it’s restricted-but only for certain followers. This suggests that it was never meant as a universal law for all of humanity, but rather a regulation specifically for the Children of Israel during that era, But instead of realizing this, people blindly follow outdated teachings, clinging to contradictions that don’t even align with the broader timeline of their own scripture. So, if you’re still arguing over outdated restrictions, you’re only leading yourself further into confusion., and worse, towards hell, because you’re rejecting later guidance that was meant to clarify the truth.

Why is Polygamy Necessary?

1️⃣ Helping Widows and Poor Women
Throughout history, many women have lost their husbands due to war, illness, or poverty, leaving them without financial support or protection. In societies where women had limited economic independence, polygamy provided a way for widows and poor women to have a stable home rather than being left in poverty or forced into undesirable situations. Instead of living as outcasts or struggling to survive, they could become part of a family and receive care and support.

2️⃣ Women Outnumber Men in Many Societies
Due to wars and natural disasters, men have often died in greater numbers, leading to a higher population of women. If every man is restricted to only one wife, many women would remain unmarried, leaving them without companionship, security, or family support. Polygamy allows more women to have the option of marriage instead of being left without a stable future.

3️⃣ Biological and Social Needs
Men generally have a longer reproductive window compared to women. If a woman is unable to conceive, polygamy allows the man to have children without divorcing his first wife. This preserves the marriage while still fulfilling the natural need for family continuation.

4️⃣ Economic and Social Stability
Marriage provides financial and emotional security. In societies where women have fewer opportunities for work or social independence, polygamy ensures that more women and children have protection and provision, rather than being abandoned or exploited.

5️⃣ Religious and Moral Protection
In many religious traditions, marriage is seen as a social responsibility, not just a personal choice. Polygamy provides a lawful alternative to prevent adultery, secret affairs, or exploitation. Instead of men having mistresses or engaging in unlawful relationships, polygamy allows relationships to be recognized and protected within marriage.

Why is Allowing Divorce a Mercy?

1️⃣ Prevention of Toxic or Abusive Marriages
If divorce wasn’t allowed, people would be trapped in unhealthy, abusive, or miserable marriages. Allowing divorce provides an escape from suffering, ensuring that people are not forced to stay in harmful relationships just because of religious or social pressure.

2️⃣ Compatibility Issues
Not every marriage works out. Over time, people may realize they are not compatible, leading to conflict, resentment, or emotional damage. Divorce allows them to move on peacefully rather than being stuck in an unhappy situation.

3️⃣ Infidelity and Betrayal
If one spouse is unfaithful or dishonest, the other should not be forced to endure betrayal. Divorce provides a way to separate without encouraging a life of resentment and dishonor.

4️⃣ Freedom of Choice
Humans are not perfect, and neither are relationships. Allowing divorce gives people the freedom to correct their mistakes, find better partners, or choose a different life path instead of living in lifelong regret.

Additional Information:

This article is not intended to insult or mock Jesus, Moses, or God. The purpose is to discuss the historical and theological aspects of divine laws and how they evolved over time, While we do not agree with certain laws for today, we can understand them in the historical context in which they were revealed. Throughout history, God has revealed laws according to the needs and circumstances of different generations. In the time of Moses, divorce and multiple marriages were permitted, as they were necessary for that era. However, the Children of Israel misused these laws, leading to corruption and deviation from divine guidance, As a response to this, Jesus was sent with stricter laws, tailored specifically for his generation, addressing their spiritual and moral decline. His teachings emphasized a return to righteousness and obedience, correcting the excesses that had developed. However, this does not mean these laws were meant to be universal and eternal for all people and times, Furthermore, Jesus himself confirmed the coming of the final Prophet, Muhammad (peace be upon him), who was sent with the final and complete message for all of humanity. The revelation given to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) serves as the final divine law, applicable to all people until the end of time. Unlike the laws revealed to previous prophets, which were often specific to their communities, the final message of Islam was meant for all nations and generations, bringing guidance in its most complete form, Thus, while we may not agree with certain laws for today, we can recognize that they were part of a gradual process of divine legislation, culminating in the final and perfected guidance brought by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).