A question about the christian view of divorce?

Question

I'm familiar with the bible verses in which Jesus says that any man who divorces his wife, except in the case of adultery (fornication), causes them both to become adulterers if they marry again. (Matthew 5:31-32)

My question is, does the same law apply to women? Are women biblically able to ask for a divorce on the basis of adultery?

Obviously, this isn't written specifically in scripture, but I'm asking for the "general" christian interpretation of this. By the way, I'm not asking this in an attempt to point out the misogyny of the bible. I'm asking so I can have a better understanding on this subject so I can be a better help to a christian friend of mine who is married.

Specifically, I have a christian friend whose husband continues to cheat on her OVER and OVER. She believes that she has no right to ask for a divorce, because the bible only mentions a man asking for a divorce -- never a woman.

Answer 1

When the Bible refers to "mankind" it means "man, women" so women are biblically able to ask for a divorce on the basis of adultery.

God, the Originator of marriage, designed it to be a permanent union. But is there any Scriptural reason for a person to divorce his or her mate, and one that would allow for the possibility of remarrying? Jesus addressed this matter by declaring: “I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on the ground of fornication, and marries another commits adultery.” (Matthew 19:9) Sexual infidelity by a mate is the only ground for a divorce that will allow the innocent mate to remarry, or the death of the husband or the wife..

In addition, the Bible’s words at 1 Corinthians 7:10-16, while encouraging marriage mates to stay together, allow for separation. Some, after trying very hard to preserve their marriage, feel they have no choice but to separate. What can be acceptable Scriptural grounds for such a step?

One is willful nonsupport. When getting married, a husband assumes the responsibility of providing for his wife and children. The man who willfully fails to provide the material necessities of life “has disowned the faith and is worse than a person without faith.” (1 Timothy 5:8) So separation is possible.

Another is extreme physical abuse. So then, if a mate physically abuses his wife, the victim may separate. (Galatians 5:19-21; Titus 1:7) “Anyone loving violence [God’s] soul certainly hates.” Psalm 11:5.

Another ground for separation is the absolute endangerment of a believer’s spirituality, one’s relationship with God. When a mate’s opposition, perhaps including physical restraint, has made it impossible to pursue true worship and has imperiled the believer’s spirituality, then some believers have found it necessary to separate. Matthew 22:37; Acts 5:27-32.

However, if divorce is pursued under such circumstances, one would not be free to enter a new marriage. According to the Bible, the only legitimate ground for divorce that permits remarriage is adultery or “fornication.” Matthew 5:32.

The Bible allows only one reason for getting a divorce that frees a person to remarry, and that is fornication (Greek, porneia, gross sexual immorality). If fornication is committed, then the innocent mate may decide whether to get a divorce or not. Matthew 5:32.

After telling the Pharisees that the Mosaic concession of divorcing their wives was not the arrangement that had prevailed “from the beginning,” Jesus said: “I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on the ground of fornication, and marries another commits adultery.” (Mt 19:8, 9)


Marriage involves two people with differing personalities learning to develop common interests and working together toward common goals. Marriage is a lifelong commitment, not a casual agreement that can be lightly abandoned. In many countries, divorce is not difficult to obtain, but in the eyes of a Christian, the marriage relationship is sacred. It is ended only for a very serious reason. (Matt. 19:9) Christian spouses can avail themselves of wise counsel from the Bible, support from fellow Christians, and a close, prayerful relationship with God. A successful marriage endures, and over the years, it brings happiness and contentment to husband and wife. More important, it brings honor to God, the Originator of marriage.

Answer 2

My understanding is that a woman can ask for a divorce if the man is adulterous. That is really the one real reason the Bible gives for a divorce. Also in 1 Corinthians 7:12-24 it talks about if a husband is a non believer or is not a righteous man the wife may be considered free to remarry if he divorces her, because if he is not a believer the marriage vows are not holy. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

In my humble opinion, women may ask for divorce in the case of adultery. However, if you may want to suggest a separation instead of divorce. There is always a chance that they could reconcile. Your friend shouldn't have to be humiliated by a unfaithful husband in her home.
She should also seek counseling from a pastor or qualified councilor

Answer 4

Yes I believe so. I am a Christian woman in my 50's who was married for about four years and divorced my husband seven years ago for a reason not supported in scripture. There is a verse that reads, "a woman is not to leave her husband, but if she does, she is to remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband". I tried to reconcile with my husband a couple of times. It didn't work. So that is what I will do for the remainder of my life, remain unmarried. I don't even date.

I love God's word and am sorry that I did something that He disapproves of (divorce), so I am willing and content to stay single.

Answer 5

Jesus insisted that marriage must be indissoluble (God's original plan). He abrogated accommodations that had compromised the sixth commandment. Therefore, between a baptized man and woman "a ratified and consummated marriage cannot be dissolved by any human power or for any reason other than death" (Canon 1141).

While maintaining the marriage bond, Canon law does provide for the legitimate separation of spouses (Canon 1151-1155). There is no moral offense if a civil divorce is the only way to safeguard children and legal rights.

Peace and blessings!

Edit: For more information please go to this link.
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P45.HTM

Answer 6

Yes. If a man cheats on his wife she can ask for a divorce. Woman are special. I wife is supposed to be loved the way Christ loves the church and if a man cheats on his wife,or is abusive towards her,she has every right to get a divorce.

Answer 7

The women has a right to ask for a divorce if her husband is committing adultery and yes she has the right to remmarry on that basis.

Answer 8

If the marriage is between two baptised man and woman

Divorce is a grave offense against the natural law. It claims to break the contract, to which the spouses freely consented, to live with each other till death. Divorce does injury to the covenant of salvation, of which sacramental marriage is the sign. Contracting a new union, even if it is recognized by civil law, adds to the gravity of the rupture: the remarried spouse is then in a situation of public and permanent adultery:


If a husband, separated from his wife, approaches another woman, he is an adulterer because he makes that woman commit adultery, and the woman who lives with him is an adulteress, because she has drawn another's husband to herself.
Divorce is immoral also because it introduces disorder into the family and into society. This disorder brings grave harm to the deserted spouse, to children traumatized by the separation of their parents and often torn between them, and because of its contagious effect which makes it truly a plague on society.

It can happen that one of the spouses is the innocent victim of a divorce decreed by civil law; this spouse therefore has not contravened the moral law. There is a considerable difference between a spouse who has sincerely tried to be faithful to the sacrament of marriage and is unjustly abandoned, and one who through his own grave fault destroys a canonically valid marriage.

Adultry is not grounds for divorce in the moral order. Forgiveness must take place over and over again if necessary for we are weak we fail sometimes all the time
But love authentic love requires sacrifice.

Answer 9

Adultery would apply either way. Remember, Adultery is also annotated as one of the 10 Commandments and all it says is, "Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery".... it does not say, "If You're A Woman".

Answer 10

Biblically, no, women cannot ask for a divorce on that basis, unfortunately for them. Nor, can they remarry. My advice to someone that is very religious gets a divorce, move to another place where no one knows you, that way the church gossip wont out and out kill you (metaphorically speaking).