What the Holy Bible says about
Marriage vrs Divorce

Marriage was ordained by God as an intimate and complementing union between a man and a woman in which the two become one physically, in the whole of life, in its purpose to reflect the relationship of the Godhead, and to serve God. With the fall of humankind the divine purpose and function of marriage were damaged by sin, and the marriage relationship often destroyed.

The fall of humankind caused human hearts to become hard toward God and toward each other. The relational aspect of God's image, reflected in marriage, became marred. Satan tempted Eve to rebel against male leadership. Men tended to become dominant and harsh in their leadership. Sin brought polygamy, concubinage, incest, adultery, rape, prostitution, and all kinds of immorality that have damaged or destroyed the marriage relationship. Marriage covenants have been violated.

Termination of the marriage relationship is caused by sin that entered the world after Genesis 2:21-24. Death itself, which terminates marriage, came by Adam's sin. Because of sin divorce arose, and Moses sought to regulate it. Divorce is not instituted or ordained by God; rather it is generated by sin and is contrary to God's ideal for marriage.

Divorce is first mentioned in the Mosaic covenant, but it was already occurring in Israel. Under the Mosaic covenant divorce was regulated in situations in which it might become common. It was not permitted

(1) when false accusations were made about a bride's virginity; and

(2) (2) when marriage occurred because a man had forcibly violated a woman sexually. A high priest was not to marry a divorcee.

Deuteronomy 24:1-4 prohibited remarriage of a woman to her first husband after the death or divorce of her second husband. These texts present legal policy whereby quick and frequent divorce is restrained and discouraged. Divorce is not commended, commanded, or approved by God in these passages, but failure to forbid divorce, especially in Deuteronomy 24, de facto means that God's law tolerated divorce to the extent that no civil or ecclesiastical penalty was imposed.

The basis for divorce in Deuteronomy 24:1 is "some indecency" (ervat dabar). The precise meaning of this phrase is uncertain. When the rest of the Old Testament and New Testament are examined, it appears that "some indecency" probably had sexual overtones—some lewd or immoral behavior including any sexual perversion, even adultery. The imagery of spiritual adultery, resulting in God's "divorcing" Israel, is based on a real referent. Divorce was socially permissible for adultery. Although adultery was punishable by death, it could still be included in the broad concept of ervat dabar. It is likewise possible that Jesus employed the general term porneia to refer to ervat dabar in Deuteronomy 24:1. However this phrase is understood, the text implies that this continued "indecency" was so vile that divorce was preferred by the husband. To protect the wife, however, he must provide her a certificate of divorce.

This text also recognizes and allows, without condemnation, the remarriage of the wife. In that culture remarriage would be expected since it was difficult for a woman to survive in life unless she was married or remained single in her father's house. This does not necessarily mean that God approves of the remarriage in this text. The text prohibits remarriage to the first husband since the woman has already been defiled. Defilement is best understood contextually as the "indecency" of verse 1, not "defilement" of adultery because of marrying the second husband. Adultery would have been punishable by death of the woman and the second husband, if such had been the case. The second marriage is not condemned, nor is a third marriage forbidden.

Deuteronomy 24:1-4, therefore, is a concession made by God to the fallen condition of humankind. It does not approve of or encourage divorce or remarriage, although it allows for both, except for remarriage of a woman to her first husband. These Deuteronomic texts, therefore, regulate divorce.

In Ezra 9-10 intermarriage with foreigners is viewed as a defilement of the holy race and as unfaithfulness to God. Shecaniah proposed sending away these foreign wives and children. Ezra concurred, so the people "divorced" the foreign wives and their children. The problem centers around Israelites marrying unbelieving foreigners. The "putting away" was to be "according to the law, " but no specific command of this nature can be found in the Law. Although Deuteronomy 7:1-4 commands Israelites not to make covenants or to intermarry with the people in Canaan when they enter that land, this principle is not normative since the Old Testament permits marriage to believing foreigners (cf. Rahab, Ruth, and Christ's genealogy in. The principle of not marrying unbelievers pervades the Scriptures and appears to be the major concern of Ezra 9-10. It was feared that the holy seed would be defiled.

The dissolving of the marriages is problematic. This is de facto divinely approved divorce in order to preserve the holy people. We have already observed that God did not ordain divorce, and Malachi 2:14 clearly states that God hates divorce. We can only conclude that divorce is permitted in some situations. This particular situation related to Israel at that time and appears not to be normative.

Malachi rebukes Israel for profaning the Mosaic covenant. One example is the breaking of the marriage covenant by divorcing ("breaking faith with") the wives "of their youth" (v. 14). God declares that he hates divorce! This is the most direct statement of God's feeling about divorce.

Therefore, although the Old Testament presents God's ideal for marriage as monogamous, permanent, and exclusive, the Old Testament likewise recognizes that divorce and remarriage are present because of sin and must be regulated.

In Matthew 5 Jesus discusses the true intent of the Mosaic Law by emphasizing that righteousness issues from the heart, not from external compliance. Illustrating from the seventh commandment (vv. 27-32), Jesus argues that lust, as well as divorce, are the moral equivalents of adultery. Divorce is wrong because it produces adultery in the remarriage, except in the case of fornication (porneia) . The exception clause (v. 32) most naturally implies that adultery is not caused by divorce when the sexual sin of fornication (porneia) has already been committed by one spouse. Rather, in this event divorce is permitted because of the fornication. The great question in Matthew 5:31 (and Matt. 19:9) is the meaning of "fornication" (porneia). Porneia is a broad term for many kinds of sexual impropriety.

The early usages referred to prostitution, fornication, and extramarital intercourse. Greek translations of the Old Testament use this term to translate zana (h"nz) "to prostitute." In later Judaism and New Testament times the word broadened to include adultery, incest, sodomy, unlawful marriage, sexual intercourse in general, and any sexual behavior that deviates from accepted social and religious norms. Usage in New Testament contexts does not change these options.

The argument of Matthew 5 (and Matt. 19) does not provide sufficient data to limit the usage of porneia in this context to one specific meaning. Porneia is perhaps broad in its reference to illicit sexual intercourse in keeping with the breadth of the Hebrew phrase ervat dabar. Some form of illegitimate extramarital sexual intercourse is conveyed by the term. Therefore adultery in a real sense has already transpired, and Jesus states that this is a permissible ground for divorce. Divorce, however, is not required. Some argue that porneia cannot mean adultery since the Old Testament penalty for adultery was death, not divorce. However, in New Testament times Jews were unable to impose the death penalty without Roman permission. Therefore, adultery severs the marriage relationship in the New Testament as did the adulterer's death in the Old Testament.

Therefore, Matthew 5:31-32 is stating that divorce is equivalent to adultery since the divorced person normally remarries. However, if illegitimate extramarital sexual intercourse is practiced by one spouse, adultery has already transpired, and this breaks the oneness of the marriage relationship. Divorce, therefore, is permissible, although never required.

In Matthew 19:1-12 and Mark 10:1-12 some Pharisees test Jesus by asking whether it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason. Jesus reminds them of God's original ideal for marriage in Genesis 2:24: a male and a female were created to become a permanent "one flesh" union. Humankind should not separate (divorce) what God has joined together. Unsatisfied with his answer, the Pharisees raise the issue of the divorce statement in Deuteronomy 24:1-4. Jesus states that Deuteronomy 24:1-4 permitted divorce solely because of man's hard (sinful) heart, but this was not God's original plan for marriage.

In Matthew 19:9 he reiterates the principle of Matthew 5:31-32: divorce generates adultery "except" in the case of fornication (porneia) where adultery has already transpired. The husband (or the wife in Mark 10:11-12) who initiates divorce for any reason other than spouse porneia, and marries another, commits adultery.

Luke 16:18 looks at the situation from both directions: the one initiating divorce and the one marrying a divorced person have each committed adultery. For some reason in Mark's argument of the same event as in Matthew (and Luke's separate argument), the exception clause is omitted. The reason for this is uncertain. However, one must accept the exception clause as genuine, valid, and original in Matthew.

Jesus' teaching confirms and elaborates the Old Testament concepts of marriage and divorce. God's ideal for marriage is a monogamous, permanent, and exclusive union. Because of humankind's sin divorce arose, and Moses permitted a certificate of divorce to regulate it. Divorce, however, is equivalent to adultery because it generates adultery. So the one initiating divorce and the one marrying a divorced person commit adultery.

The only exception to this rule is when one of the marriage partners has committed fornication (porneia), which itself is adultery. When this occurs, the other spouse may legitimately divorce the partner who has committed fornication. Such, however, is not required and should be a last alternative.

First Corinthians 7:1-16, 39 argues that married people should stay married. First, spouses should not leave/divorce (chorizo) their marriage partners (v. 10). This is the ideal (v. 39). If a spouse should leave/divorce a marriage partner, he or she has only two options: (1) remain unmarried or (2) be reconciled. Remarriage is not an option. Second, a believer should not divorce an unbelieving spouse (vv. 12-13). However, if the unbeliever leaves, the believing partner is not bound to the principle about maintaining the marriage. The marriage is thereby dissolved. Paul says nothing about the issue of remarriage.

Conclusion. God-ordained marriage is a monogamous, permanent, and exclusive union. The entrance of sin into the world brought divorce. God hates divorce because it is contrary to his ideal. Understanding the sinfulness of humankind, he graciously tolerates divorce while establishing regulations to curb it. Jesus upheld the ideal of permanent marriage, making clear that divorce is equivalent to adultery in breaking the oneness of marriage. Initiating divorce and/or marrying a divorced person produces adultery. The only exception to this principle, and, therefore, the only legitimate ground for divorce is illegitimate extramarital sexual intercourse on the part of a spouse. Divorce is permitted for this reason, but not demanded. Reconciliation should always be sought when fornication or separation has occurred. It is also permissible to dissolve a marriage if an unbelieving spouse departs/deserts the believer. Believers should, however, always love and accept divorced people and seek to encourage them in reconciliation and godly ways.

Genesis 2:18,23,24 (New American Standard Bible)

• 2:18 Then the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him."

• 2:23 And the man said, "This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man."

• 2:24 For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.

Deuteronomy 24:1-4 (New American Standard Bible)

• 24:1 "When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens that she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out from his house,

• 24:2 and she leaves his house and goes and becomes another man's wife,

• 24:3 and if the latter husband turns (hates her) against her and writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house, or if the latter husband dies who took her to be his wife, 24:4 then her former husband who sent her away is not allowed to take her again to be his wife, since she has been defiled; for that is an abomination before the Lord, and you shall not bring sin on the land which the Lord your God gives you as an inheritance.

Malachi 2:14-16 (New American Standard Bible)

• 2:16 "For I hate divorce," says the Lord, the God of Israel, "and him who covers his garment with wrong," says the Lord of hosts. "So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously."

Micah 2:9 (New American Standard Bible)

• 2:9 "The women of My people you evict, Each one from her pleasant house. From her children you take My splendor forever

Hosea 2:19,20 (New American Standard Bible)

• 2:19 "And I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice, In lovingkindness and in compassion,

• 2:20 And I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know the Lord

Proverbs 21:9,19 (New American Standard Bible)

• 21:9 It is better to live in a corner of a roof, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

• 21:19 It is better to live in a desert land, Than with a contentious and vexing woman

Proverbs 18:22 (New American Standard Bible)

• 18:22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord.

Matthew 5:31,32 (New American Standard Bible)

• 5:31 "And it was said, 'Whoever sends his wife away, let him give her a certificate of divorce';

• 5:32 but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the cause of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Matthew 19:3-12 (New American Standard Bible)

• 19:3 And some Pharisees came to Him, testing Him, and saying, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause at all?"

• 19:4 And He answered and said, "Have you not read, that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female,

• 19:5 and said, 'For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH'?

• 19:6 "Consequently they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate."

• 19:7 They said to Him, "Why then did Moses command to give her a certificate of divorce and send her away?"

• 19:8 He said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart, Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way.

• 19:9 "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery."

• 19:10 The disciples said to Him, "If the relationship of the man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry."

• 19:11 But He said to them, "Not all men can accept this statement, but only those to whom it has been given.

• 19:12 "For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother's womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it."

1 Corinthians 7:10-17 (New American Standard Bible)

• 7:10 But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband 7:11 (but if she does leave, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not send his wife away.

• 7:12 But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, let him not send her away.

• 7:13 And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, let her not send her husband away.

• 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy.

• 7:15 Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace.

• 7:16 For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?

• 7:17 Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And thus I direct in all the churches.

Hebrews 13:4 (New American Standard Bible)

• 13:4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

1 Timothy 5:14 (New American Standard Bible)

• 5:14 Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach

1 Corinthians 11:11,12 (New American Standard Bible)

• 11:11 However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.

• 11:12 For as the woman originates from the man, so also the man has his birth through the woman; and all things originate from God.

1 Corinthians 7:1-40 (New American Standard Bible)

• 7:1 Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman.

• 7:2 But because of immoralities, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.

• 7:3 Let the husband fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband.

• 7:4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.

• 7:5 Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again lest Satan tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

• 7:6 But this I say by way of concession, not of command.

• 7:7 Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that.

• 7:8 But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I.

• 7:9 But if they do not have self-control, let them

• 7:10 But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband 7:11 (but if she does leave, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not send his wife away.

• 7:12 But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, let him not send her away.

• 7:13 And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, let her not send her husband away.

• 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy.

• 7:15 Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace.

• 7:16 For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?

• 7:17 Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And thus I direct in all the churches.

• 7:18 Was any man called already circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised.

• 7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God.

• 7:20 Let each man remain in that condition in which he was called.

• 7:21 Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that.

• 7:22 For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord's freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ's slave.

• 7:23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.

• 7:24 Brethren, let each man remain with God in that condition in which he was called.

• 7:25 Now concerning virgins I have no command of the Lord, but I give an opinion as one who by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy.

• 7:26 I think then that this is good in view of the present distress, that it is good for a man to remain as he is.

• 7:27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

• 7:28 But if you should marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin should marry, she has not sinned. Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you.

• 7:29 But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none;

• 7:30 and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess;

• 7:31 and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away.

• 7:32 But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord;

• 7:33 but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife,

• 7:34 and his interests are divided. And the woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

• 7:35 And this I say for your own benefit; not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is seemly, and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.

• 7:36 But if any man thinks that he is acting unbecomingly toward his virgin daughter, if she should be of full age, and if it must be so, let him do what he wishes, he does not sin; let her marry.

• 7:37 But he who stands firm in his heart, being under no constraint, but has authority over his own will, and has decided this in his own heart, to keep his own virgin daughter, he will do well.

• 7:38 So then both he who gives his own virgin daughter in marriage does well, and he who does not give her in marriage will do better.

• 7:39 A wife is bound as long as her husband lives; but if her husband is dead, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.

• 7:40 But in my opinion she is happier if she remains as she is; and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.

Romans 7:1-3 (New American Standard Bible)

• 7:1 Or do you not know, brethren (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives?

• 7:2 For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband.

• 7:3 So then if, while her husband is living, she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress, though she is joined to another man.

Luke 16:18 (New American Standard Bible)

• 16:18 "Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and he who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery.

1 Peter 3:7 (New American Standard Bible)

• 3:7 You husbands likewise, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman; and grant her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

1 Timothy 5:8 (New American Standard Bible)

• 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever

Colossians 3:18,19 (New American Standard Bible)

• 3:18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be embittered against them

Ephesians 5:22-33 (New American Standard Bible)

• 5:22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

• 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.

• 5:24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

• 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her;

• 5:26 that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,

• 5:27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless.

• 5:28 So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself;

• 5:29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church,

• 5:30 because we are members of His body.

• 5:31 For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh.

• 5:32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.

• 5:33 Nevertheless let each individual among you also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see to it that she respect her husband.

1 Corinthians 11:3 (New American Standard Bible)

• 11:3 But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.

1 Corinthians 7:3,5,14,16,33 (New American Standard Bible)

• 7:3 Let the husband fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband.

• 7:5 Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again lest Satan tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

• 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy.

• 7:16 For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?

• 7:33 but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife,

1 Peter 3:1-7 (New American Standard Bible)

• 3:1 In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives,

• 3:2 as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.

• 3:3 And let not your adornment be merely external-- braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses;

• 3:4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.

• 3:5 For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands.

• 3:6 Thus Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.

• 3:7 You husbands likewise, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman; and grant her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Titus 2:3-5 (New American Standard Bible)

• 2:3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good,

• 2:4 that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,

• 2:5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored

1 Timothy 3:11 (New American Standard Bible)

• 3:11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.

Colossians 3:18,19 (New American Standard Bible)

• 3:18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

• 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be embittered against them.

1 Corinthians 7:2-6,10-14,16,27-29,32-34,38-40 (New American Standard Bible)

• 7:2 But because of immoralities, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.

• 7:3 Let the husband fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband.

• 7:4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.

• 7:5 Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again lest Satan tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

• 7:6 But this I say by way of concession, not of command.

• 7:10 But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband

• 7:11 (but if she does leave, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not send his wife away.

• 7:12 But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, let him not send her away.

• 7:13 And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, let her not send her husband away.

• 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy.

• 7:16 For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?

• 7:27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

• 7:28 But if you should marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin should marry, she has not sinned. Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you.

• 7:29 But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none;

• 7:32 But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord;

• 7:33 but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife,

• 7:34 and his interests are divided. And the woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

• 7:38 So then both he who gives his own virgin daughter in marriage does well, and he who does not give her in marriage will do better.

• 7:39 A wife is bound as long as her husband lives; but if her husband is dead, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. ‘

• 7:40 But in my opinion she is happier if she remains as she is; and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.

Proverbs 31:10-31 (New American Standard Bible)

• 31:10 An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.

• 31:11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain.

• 31:12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.

• 31:13 She looks for wool and flax, And works with her hands in delight.

• 31:14 She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.

• 31:15 She rises also while it is still night, And gives food to her household, And portions to her maidens.

• 31:16 She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard.

• 31:17 She girds herself with strength, And makes her arms strong.

• 31:18 She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night.

• 31:19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle.

• 31:20 She extends her hand to the poor; And she stretches out her hands to the needy.

• 31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet.

• 31:22 She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

• 31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.

• 31:24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen.

• 31:25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.

• 31:26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

• 31:27 She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.

• 31:28 Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:

• 31:29 "Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all."

• 31:30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. 31:31 Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 14:1 (New American Standard Bible)

• 14:1 The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish tears it down with her own hands.

Proverbs 12:4 (New American Standard Bible)

• 12:4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who shames him is as rottenness in his bones.