AMY TURNER

Romans 7:2 explains that a wife is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if he dies, she is free from that bond. Some take this as proof that divorce is never allowed, but the wider teaching of Scripture gives more clarity.

In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul writes that if a believer is married to someone who does not believe and that person chooses to leave, the believer is not bound to remain. This shows that abandonment can bring an end to a marriage.

Jesus also speaks in Matthew 5:19, warning against divorce, but he gives one clear reason where it may take place: sexual immorality. Sin of this kind breaks the covenant of marriage and can lead to divorce.

Marriage is intended to be for life, but Scripture makes room for certain broken situations. When divorce happens for biblical reasons, the person is free to marry again.

Yet if the unbelieving one is leaving, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us in peace.

1 Corinthians 7:15