The Bible teaches that marriage is binding for life. Under the New Testament teachings of Christ, there is only one allowable cause for separation, and that is fornication (a sexual relationship prior to marriage). This provision was related to the Jewish tradition of betrothal. If, during the approximate one year betrothal period which preceded the physical consummation of the marriage, one of the parties committed fornication, the other party could terminate the marriage agreement. This allowance for divorce does not apply to those who have consummated their marriage today, since such unfaithfulness is regarded as adultery rather than fornication.

In Matthew 19:4-6, Jesus restated God’s plan for marriage as first recorded in Genesis 2:24. He emphasized the sacredness of this union with the instruction, “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” While there may be occasions when a Christian is separated or divorced, no allowance is made for a person to marry again while the first companion lives.

Matthew 5:31,32; 19:9; Mark 10:11,12; Luke 16:18; Romans 7:2,3