When Does the Bible Permit Remarriage?

The Bible permits remarriage when a marriage has ended through death, and it gives grounds for understanding remarriage as permissible after a biblically justified divorce. Scripture treats marriage as a lifelong covenant, so remarriage should never be approached casually. Yet the Bible also recognizes that death and certain grievous violations can bring a marriage covenant to an end.

Death Releases a Believer From the Marriage Bond

Scripture speaks most plainly about remarriage after the death of a spouse. Paul writes, “For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband” (Romans 7:2, KJV).

First Corinthians 7:39 adds, “The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.” A widow or widower may therefore remarry without sin. For a Christian, “only in the Lord” means that the new spouse should also belong to Christ.

Jesus Taught That Marriage Is Meant to Be Lifelong

When questioned about divorce, Jesus returned to God’s design at creation: “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matthew 19:6). The starting point is not how easily a marriage may be ended, but how faithfully it should be preserved.

Jesus then said, “Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery” (Matthew 19:9). The exception matters. Sexual immorality is a profound violation of the one-flesh covenant. Christ did not command the innocent spouse to divorce, and forgiveness and reconciliation may still be possible, but His words distinguish such a case from divorce for merely selfish reasons.

Abandonment by an Unbelieving Spouse

Paul addresses a believer whose unbelieving spouse refuses to remain in the marriage: “But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace” (1 Corinthians 7:15).

Faithful Christians differ over whether “not under bondage” explicitly authorizes remarriage. However, many understand Paul to mean that the abandoned believer is no longer held to a marriage the unbelieving spouse has willfully destroyed. This conclusion should be reached carefully, with the whole counsel of Scripture, honest examination of the circumstances, and sound pastoral guidance.

Remarriage Must Not Be Used to Excuse Sin

A person should not manufacture a biblical excuse, abandon a faithful spouse, or rush into another relationship. Jesus warned that divorcing and remarrying without biblical grounds involves adultery (Mark 10:11–12; Luke 16:18). God sees motives, facts, repentance, and responsibility more clearly than any human counselor does.

Before remarriage, unresolved sin should be confessed and forsaken. Where reconciliation with a former spouse is biblically possible and wise, it deserves serious consideration. Children, legal obligations, safety, and the spiritual health of everyone involved must not be ignored.

What About Someone With a Complicated Past?

The gospel does not teach that every person with a sinful marital history is beyond forgiveness. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Forgiveness does not erase every earthly consequence, but believers are not required to live forever as though Christ’s blood cannot cleanse confessed sin.

Each case should be judged truthfully rather than by labels alone. Was the previous spouse deceased? Was the divorce caused by sexual immorality, abandonment, abuse, or selfish desertion? Who violated the covenant? Has there been genuine repentance? Is the proposed marriage “in the Lord”? Those questions help apply biblical principles without weakening them.

Conclusion

Remarriage is clearly permitted after a spouse’s death. Scripture also provides a serious biblical basis for remarriage after divorce caused by sexual immorality or abandonment, though Christians should examine such situations humbly and carefully. God’s standard honors lifelong faithfulness, protects the innocent, calls the guilty to repentance, and offers cleansing through Jesus Christ.

If you are uncertain whether you have truly been reconciled to God, read How to Be Saved.