In the Bible, the concept of adultery is often considered a significant factor in justifying divorce. This belief is primarily based on the teachings of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the New Testament, particularly in the books of Matthew and Mark. According to these passages, Jesus addresses the topic of divorce and upholds the sanctity of marriage while allowing for an exception in cases of adultery.
The main passage that discusses this exception is found in the Gospel of Matthew 19:3-9:
"3 Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, 'Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?'
4 'Haven’t you read,' he replied, 'that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.'
7 'Why then,' they asked, 'did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?'
8 Jesus replied, 'Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. 9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.'"
In these verses, Jesus affirms that marriage is a sacred bond that should not be broken, as God intended the union to be permanent. He acknowledges that Moses allowed divorce in the Old Testament due to human weaknesses and hard-heartedness. However, Jesus reinstates the divine ideal of lifelong marriage.
Nevertheless, he introduces an exception - sexual immorality (often understood as adultery). According to Jesus' teaching, if a spouse commits adultery, it is seen as a severe breach of the marital covenant, and the innocent party is allowed to seek divorce as a response to the unfaithfulness.
It's important to note that while adultery is considered a permissible reason for divorce in Christian theology, the Bible also encourages forgiveness and reconciliation. The ideal Christian response to adultery is to work towards forgiveness, healing, and restoration if both parties are willing to do so.
It is also essential to recognize that divorce is a complex and sensitive issue, and different Christian denominations interpret these teachings with variations. Some may have broader grounds for divorce, while others may adhere more strictly to the exception Jesus mentioned in cases of adultery. The Bible also contains additional teachings and principles about marriage and divorce in other passages, contributing to the diversity of perspectives within Christianity.