Marriage, Divorce, Remarriage

Richard K. McPherson

I am still working on this article.

Why don’t you think that divorce is on the rise and even the “church” divorce rate is even higher than the world? We teach that marriage is for life and at the same time there is a way out and that you can try again. I know of people that have been married 4-5 times and each time they claim of being divorce for adultery. There is a problem with that. There is no guilty or innocent person in marriage. Marriage is 100%-100% relationship not a 50-50 like is taught. God’s word does not have loop holes. If we teach that marriage is for life and that there is NO way out, then our choices in finding a mate and our prayers for wisdom from God in choosing that person would be better. Marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman AND GOD, in the presence of a group of people. Divorce is breaking that covenant with God. How often we forget those vows that we say to each other. “Do you __________ promise to love, honor, respect, in sickness and in health, for richer and poorer, willing to forsake all other as long as you live”. Without thinking the person says, "I do!"

Disclaimer: I am not claiming to have all the answers. You may disagree with me and that is fine. If we were taught at the beginning that marriage is for life (until death do we part), we would devote more time in prayer for guidance and wisdom in finding a mate.

We will also look how the "church" (denominations) have failed messlablely, when it come for the "older women are to teach the younger women how to love their husbands". The so called "Ladies Bible Class" does nothings to help young wives. The women that teach the class are the preacher's wife or some other person and the class has no value in everyday life. Young wives have so many questions. The older women are either too busy with their jobs and do not have the time to give advice. Even wives that have been married for 10 years could help those who just got marry, I forgot their jobs and careers are more important that helping. You got to have that extra money so they can keep up with the Jones'. That is another topic.

Malachi 2:10-16 (CEV) "Don't you know that we all have God as our Father? Didn't the one God create each of us? Then why do you cheat each other by breaking the agreement God made with your ancestors? You people in Judah and Jerusalem have been unfaithful to the LORD. You have disgraced the temple that he loves, and you have committed the disgusting sin of worshiping other gods. I pray that the LORD will no longer let those who are guilty belong to his people, even if they eagerly decide to offer the LORD a gift. And what else are you doing? You cry noisily and flood the Lord's altar with your tears, because he isn't pleased with your offerings and refuses to accept them. And why isn't God pleased? It's because he knows that each of you men has been unfaithful to the wife you married when you were young. You promised that she would be your partner, but now you have broken that promise. Didn't God create you to become like one person with your wife? And why did he do this? It was so you would have children, and then lead them to become God's people. Don't ever be unfaithful to your wife. The LORD God All-Powerful of Israel hates anyone who is cruel enough to divorce his wife. So take care never to be unfaithful!"

(KJV+) "Have we not³⁸⁰⁸ all³⁶⁰⁵ one²⁵⁹ father?¹ hath not³⁸⁰⁸ one²⁵⁹ God⁴¹⁰ created¹²⁵⁴ us? why⁴⁰⁶⁹ do we deal treacherously⁸⁹⁸ every man³⁷⁶ against his brother,²⁵¹ by profaning²⁴⁹⁰ the covenant¹²⁸⁵ of our fathers?¹ Judah³⁰⁶³ hath dealt treacherously,⁸⁹⁸ and an abomination⁸⁴⁴¹ is committed⁶²¹³ in Israel³⁴⁷⁸ and in Jerusalem;³³⁸⁹ for³⁵⁸⁸ Judah³⁰⁶³ hath profaned²⁴⁹⁰ the holiness⁶⁹⁴⁴ of the LORD³⁰⁶⁸ which⁸³⁴ he loved,¹⁵⁷ and hath married¹¹⁶⁶ the daughter¹³²³ of a strange⁵²³⁶ god.⁴¹⁰ The LORD³⁰⁶⁸ will cut off³⁷⁷² the man³⁷⁶ that⁸³⁴ doeth⁶²¹³ this, the master⁵⁷⁸² and the scholar,⁶⁰³⁰ out of the tabernacles^{4480, 168} of Jacob,³²⁹⁰ and him that offereth⁵⁰⁶⁶ an offering⁴⁵⁰³ unto the LORD³⁰⁶⁸ of hosts.⁶⁶³⁵ And this²⁰⁶³ have ye done⁶²¹³ again,⁸¹⁴⁵ covering^{3680 (853)} the altar⁴¹⁹⁶ of the LORD³⁰⁶⁸ with tears,¹⁸³² with weeping,¹⁰⁶⁵ and with crying out,⁶⁰³ insomuch that he regardeth^{6437, 413} not^{4480, 369} the offering⁴⁵⁰³ any more,⁵⁷⁵⁰ or receiveth³⁹⁴⁷ it with good will⁷⁵²² at your hand.^{4480, 3027} Yet ye say,⁵⁵⁹ Wherefore?^{5921, 4100} Because^{5921, 3588} the LORD³⁰⁶⁸ hath been witness⁵⁷⁴⁹ between⁹⁹⁶ thee and the wife⁸⁰² of thy youth,⁵²⁷¹ against whom⁸³⁴ thou⁸⁵⁹ hast dealt treacherously:⁸⁹⁸ yet is she¹⁹³¹ thy companion,²²⁷⁸ and the wife⁸⁰² of thy covenant.¹²⁸⁵ And did not³⁸⁰⁸ he make⁶²¹³ one?²⁵⁹ Yet had he the residue⁷⁶⁰⁵ of the spirit.⁷³⁰⁷ And wherefore⁴¹⁰⁰ one?²⁵⁹ That he might seek¹²⁴⁵ a godly⁴³⁰ seed.²²³³ Therefore take heed⁸¹⁰⁴ to your spirit,⁷³⁰⁷ and let none⁴⁰⁸ deal treacherously⁸⁹⁸ against the wife⁸⁰² of his youth.⁵²⁷¹ For³⁵⁸⁸ the LORD,³⁰⁶⁸ the God⁴³⁰ of Israel,³⁴⁷⁸ saith⁵⁵⁹ that he hateth⁸¹³⁰ putting away:⁷⁹⁷¹ for one covereth³⁶⁸⁰ violence²⁵⁵⁵ with⁵⁹²¹ his garment,³⁸³⁰ saith⁵⁵⁹ the LORD³⁰⁶⁸ of hosts:⁶⁶³⁵ therefore take heed⁸¹⁰⁴ to your spirit,⁷³⁰⁷ that ye deal not treacherously.^{898, 3808}

(BBE) "Have we not all one father? has not one God made us? Why are we, every one of us, acting falsely to his brother, putting shame on the agreement of our fathers? Judah has been acting falsely, and a disgusting thing has been done in Jerusalem; for Judah has made unclean the holy place of the Lord which is dear to him, and has taken as his wife the daughter of a strange god. The Lord will have the man who does this cut off root and branch out of the tents of Jacob, and him who makes an offering to the Lord of armies. And this again you do: covering the altar of the Lord with weeping and with grief, so that he gives no more thought to the offering, and does not take it with pleasure from your hand. But you say, For what reason? Because the Lord has been a witness between you and the wife of your early years, to whom you have been untrue, though she is your friend and the wife to whom you have given your word. So give thought to your spirit, and let no one be false to the wife of his early years. For I am against the putting away of a wife, says the Lord, the God of Israel and against him who is clothed with violent acts, says the Lord of armies: so give thought to your spirit and do not be false in your acts.

(NIV) "Have we not all one Father ^[1]? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our fathers by breaking faith with one another? Judah has broken faith. A detestable thing has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem: Judah has desecrated the sanctuary the LORD loves, by marrying the daughter of a foreign god. As for the man who does this, whoever he may be, may the LORD cut him off from the tents of Jacob ^[2] -even though he brings offerings to the LORD Almighty? Another thing you do: You flood the Lord's altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer pays attention to your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. ¹⁴ You ask, "Why?" It is because the LORD is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant. Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit, they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. ^[3] So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. "I hate divorce," says the LORD God of Israel, "and I hate a man's covering himself ^[4] with violence as well as with his garment," says the LORD Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith.

Footnotes

2:10 Or father

2:12 Or 12 May the LORD cut off from the tents of Jacob anyone who gives testimony in behalf of the man who does this

2:15 Or 15 But the one {who is our father} did not do this, not as long as life remained in him. And what was he seeking? An offspring from God

2:16 Or his wife

In the context, verses 10-12, it tells us that Judah were practicing marriage outside the Jewish race and were following their gods and at the same time worshiping the :Lord in His sanctuary. In verses 13-16, it clearly states not to "have broken faith" with your wife (husband), because of the marriage "covenant" that you made with him(her) and it is also a covenant between God, Himself. God has joined both husband and wife to be one not two. This type of being one is like, Jesus and the Father are one, husband and wife are one.

You can’t get much plainer that that. God HATES divorce, so why do we do it. There is no innocent, no guilty part in a relationship between a man and a woman. Both are guilty. Yes, God gives you a reason to divorce, but one does not have to take it. Let’s go to the Garden of Eden.

When God created man and woman, he told them: Genesis 2:24

(ASV) Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

(BBE) For this cause will a man go away from his father and his mother and be joined to his wife; and they will be one flesh.

(CEV) That's why a man will leave his own father and mother. He marries a woman, and the two of them become like one person.

(KJV+) Therefore^{5921, 3651} shall a man³⁷⁶ leave^{5800 (853)} his father¹ and his mother,⁵¹⁷ and shall cleave¹⁶⁹² unto his wife:⁸⁰² and they shall be¹⁹⁶¹ one²⁵⁹ flesh.¹³²⁰

(YLT) therefore doth a man leave his father and his mother, and hath cleaved unto his wife, and they have become one flesh.

The Hebrew word for “leave” is: H5800 עזב

‛âzab aw-zab'

A primitive root; to loosen, that is, relinquish, permit, etc.: - commit self, fail, forsake, fortify, help, leave (destitute, off), refuse, X surely.

The Hebrew word for “cleave” is: H1692 דּבק

dâbaq daw-bak'

A primitive root; properly to impinge, that is, cling or adhere; figuratively to catch by pursuit: - abide, fast, cleave (fast together), follow close (hard, after), be joined (together), keep (fast), pursue hard, stick.

After Eve have eaten the forbidden fruit, God punished both of them not just Eve. The man (Adam) blamed God for creating the woman (Eve). Eve blamed the serpent. Genesis 3:6-19. Don’t we do the same thing today? The man blames the woman and the woman blames the man, instead of facing responsibility we want to put the blame on someone else.

So why did God allow divorce in the Old Testament?

Matthew 19:7-8

(ALT) They say to Him, "Why then did Moses command to 'give a scroll of divorce and to divorce her?'" [Deut 24:1,3] He says to them, "Because of your* stubbornness Moses permitted you* to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it has not been this way.

(ASV) They say unto him, Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorcement, and to put her away? He saith unto them, Moses for your hardness of heart suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it hath not been so.

(BBE) They say to him, Why then did Moses give orders that a husband might give her a statement in writing and be free from her? He says to them, Moses, because of your hard hearts, let you put away your wives: but it has not been so from the first.

(CEV) The Pharisees asked Jesus, "Why did Moses say that a man could write out divorce papers and send his wife away?" Jesus replied, "You are so heartless! That's why Moses allowed you to divorce your wife. But from the beginning God did not intend it to be that way.

(KJV+) They say³⁰⁰⁴ unto him,⁸⁴⁶ Why⁵¹⁰¹ did Moses³⁴⁷⁵ then³⁷⁶⁷ command¹⁷⁸¹ to give¹³²⁵ a writing⁹⁷⁵ of divorcement,⁶⁴⁷ and²⁵³² to put her away^{630, 846} He saith³⁰⁰⁴ unto them,⁸⁴⁶ Moses³⁴⁷⁵ because⁴³¹⁴ of the³⁵⁸⁸ hardness of your hearts^{4641, 5216} suffered²⁰¹⁰ you⁵²¹³ to put away⁶³⁰ your⁵²¹⁶ wives:¹¹³⁵ but¹¹⁶¹ from⁵⁷⁵ the beginning⁷⁴⁶ it was¹⁰⁹⁶ not³⁷⁵⁶ so.³⁷⁷⁹

(YLT) They say to him, `Why then did Moses command to give a roll of divorce, and to put her away?’ He saith to them--`Moses for your stiffness of heart did suffer you to put away your wives, but from the beginning it hath not been so.

Matthew 5:31-32

(ALT) "Now it was said, 'Whoever divorces his wife must give to her a written notice of divorce.' [Deut 24:1,3] "But _I_ say to you*, whoever divorces his wife, except for a matter of sexual sin [or, fornication, and throughout NT], makes her to be committing adultery; and whoever marries the one having been divorced commits adultery.

(ASV) It was said also, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: but I say unto you, that every one that putteth away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, maketh her an adulteress: and whosoever shall marry her when she is put away committeth adultery.

(BBE) Again, it was said, Whoever puts away his wife has to give her a statement in writing for this purpose: But I say to you that everyone who puts away his wife for any other cause but the loss of her virtue, makes her false to her husband; and whoever takes her as his wife after she is put away, is no true husband to her.

(CEV) You have been taught that a man who divorces his wife must write out divorce papers for her. But I tell you not to divorce your wife unless she has committed some terrible sexual sin. If you divorce her, you will cause her to be unfaithful, just as any man who marries her is guilty of taking another man's wife.

(KJV+) It⁽¹¹⁶¹⁾ hath been said,⁴⁴⁸³ Whosoever^{3739, 302} shall put away⁶³⁰ his⁸⁴⁸ wife,¹¹³⁵ let him give¹³²⁵ her⁸⁴⁶ a writing of divorcement:⁶⁴⁷ But¹¹⁶¹ I¹⁴⁷³ say³⁰⁰⁴ unto you,⁵²¹³ That³⁷⁵⁴ whosoever^{3739, 302} shall put away⁶³⁰ his⁸⁴⁸ wife,¹¹³⁵ saving for³⁹²⁴ the cause³⁰⁵⁶ of fornication,⁴²⁰² causeth⁴¹⁶⁰ her⁸⁴⁶ to commit adultery:³⁴²⁹ and²⁵³² whosoever^{3739, 1437} shall marry¹⁰⁶⁰ her that is divorced⁶³⁰ committeth adultery.³⁴²⁹

Let’s look at some Greek.

G4202 (fornication)

πορνεία

porneia

por-ni'-ah

From G4203; harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively idolatry: - fornication.

1) illicit sexual intercourse

1a) adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc.

1b) sexual intercourse with close relatives; Lev. 18

1c) sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; Mar_10:11,Mar_10:12

2) metaphorically the worship of idols

2a) of the defilement of idolatry, as incurred by eating the sacrifices offered to idols

Part of Speech: noun feminine

Do you see that “fornication” includes adultery? Fornication means: any wrong sexual activity.

(YLT) `And it was said, That whoever may put away his wife, let him give to her a writing of divorce; but I--I say to you, that whoever may put away his wife, save for the matter of whoredom, doth make her to commit adultery; and whoever may marry her who hath been put away doth commit adultery.

What is Adultery?

Matthew 5:28

(ALT) "But _I_ say to you*, every [one] looking on a woman in order to lust after her already committed adultery [with] her in his heart.

(ASV) but I say unto you, that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

(BBE) But I say to you that everyone whose eyes are turned on a woman with desire has had connection with her in his heart.

(CEV) But I tell you that if you look at another woman and want her, you are already unfaithful in your thoughts.

(KJV+) But¹¹⁶¹ I¹⁴⁷³ say³⁰⁰⁴ unto you,⁵²¹³ That³⁷⁵⁴ whosoever³⁹⁵⁶ looketh⁹⁹¹ on a woman¹¹³⁵ to lust¹⁹³⁷ after her⁸⁴⁶ hath committed adultery³⁴³¹ with her⁸⁴⁶ already²²³⁵ in¹⁷²² his⁸⁴⁸ heart.²⁵⁸⁸

(YLT) but I--I say to you, that every one who is looking on a woman to desire her, did already commit adultery with her in his heart.

Matthew 19:9

(ALT) "But I say to you*, whoever divorces his wife [but] not for sexual sin and marries another commits adultery, and the one having married the one having been divorced commits adultery."

(ASV) And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth her when she is put away committeth adultery.

(BBE) And I say to you, Whoever puts away his wife for any other cause than the loss of her virtue, and takes another, is a false husband: and he who takes her as his wife when she is put away, is no true husband to her.

(CEV) I say that if your wife has not committed some terrible sexual sin, you must not divorce her to marry someone else. If you do, you are unfaithful."

(KJV+) And¹¹⁶¹ I say³⁰⁰⁴ unto you,⁵²¹³ Whosoever^{3739, 302} shall put away⁶³⁰ his⁸⁴⁸ wife,¹¹³⁵ except¹⁵⁰⁸ it be for¹⁹⁰⁹ fornication,⁴²⁰² and²⁵³² shall marry¹⁰⁶⁰ another,²⁴³ committeth adultery:³⁴²⁹ and²⁵³² whoso marrieth¹⁰⁶⁰ her which is put away⁶³⁰ doth commit adultery.³⁴²⁹

Adultery: G3429 (If you have noticed that adultery is part of fornication. Fornication means: any wrong sexual activity, where as adultery has to do with marry people. According to scripture, one does not have to sexual relations with someone in order to commit adultery. According to scripture one can just think about it and the adultery is there in his or her heart.)

Μοιχάω moichaō

Thayer Definition:

1) to have unlawful intercourse with another’s wife, to commit adultery with

Part of Speech: verb

(YLT) `And I say to you, that, whoever may put away his wife, if not for whoredom, and may marry another, doth commit adultery; and he who did marry her that hath been put away, doth commit adultery.'

Mark 10:11

(ALT) And He says to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.

(ASV) And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her:

(BBE) And he said to them, Whoever puts away his wife and takes another, is false to his wife;

(CEV) He told them, "A man who divorces his wife and marries someone else is unfaithful to his wife.

(KJV+) And²⁵³² he saith³⁰⁰⁴ unto them,⁸⁴⁶ Whosoever^{3739, 1437} shall put away⁶³⁰ his⁸⁴⁸ wife,¹¹³⁵ and²⁵³² marry¹⁰⁶⁰ another,²⁴³ committeth adultery³⁴²⁹ against¹⁹⁰⁹ her.⁸⁴⁶

(YLT) and he saith to them, `Whoever may put away his wife, and may marry another, doth commit adultery against her;

Let’s put the whole thing in context:

Mark 10:2-12 And {the} Pharisees, having come to [Him], questioned Him if it is lawful [for] a husband to divorce a wife, testing Him. But answering, He said to them, "What did Moses command you*?" So they said, "Moses permitted [one] 'to write a scroll of divorce and to divorce.'" [Deut 24:1,3] And answering, Jesus said to them, "Because of your* stubbornness he wrote you* this command. "But from [the] beginning of the creation, God 'made them male and female.' [Gen 1:27] "'For this reason, a man will leave behind his father and mother and will be joined to [or, united with] his wife. 'And they will be-the two-into one flesh' [or, 'the two will become one flesh'], with the result that they are no longer two, _but_ one flesh. [Gen 2:24] "Therefore, what God joined together, stop letting a person separate!" And in the house again, His disciples questioned Him concerning the same [matter]. And He says to them, "Whoever divorces his wife (her husband and marries another commits adultery against her (him). "And if a woman (or man) divorces her (his) husband (wife) and is married to another, she (he) commits adultery."

If you look at this text and the others you will see that if a couple divorces for fornication, which includes adultery they still have no reason to remarry. This text states that marriage if for life. Yes, God gives a reason for divorce, but not for a divorce person to remarry.

1Corinthains 7:10-16

(ALT) Now to the ones having married I am giving strict orders [or, instructing] (not I, _but_ the Lord): do not let a wife separate from a husband. But if she is separated, let her be remaining unmarried or let her be reconciled to the husband. And stop letting a husband divorce a wife. [cp. Matthew 19:3-9] But to the rest _I_ speak (not the Lord): if any brother has an unbelieving wife, and _she_ is willing to be living with him, stop letting him divorce her. And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and _he_ is willing to be living with her, stop letting her divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified [or, set apart to God] by the wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified by the husband; for otherwise indeed your* children are unclean [or, defiled], but now they are holy [or, set apart to God]. But if the unbelieving [spouse] separates himself, let him be separating himself: the brother or the sister has not been bound in such [cases], but God has called us in peace. For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save the husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save the wife?

(ASV) But unto the married I give charge, yea not I, but the Lord, That the wife depart not from her husband (but should she depart, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband); and that the husband leave not his wife. But to the rest say I, not the Lord: If any brother hath an unbelieving wife, and she is content to dwell with him, let him not leave her. And the woman that hath an unbelieving husband, and he is content to dwell with her, let her not leave her husband. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the brother: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. Yet if the unbelieving departeth, let him depart: the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us in peace. For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? Or how knowest thou, O husband, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

(BBE) But to the married I give orders, though not I but the Lord, that the wife may not go away from her husband Or if she goes away from him, let her keep unmarried, or be united to her husband again; and that the husband may not go away from his wife. But to the rest I say, and not the Lord; If a brother has a wife who is not a Christian, and it is her desire to go on living with him, let him not go away from her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a Christian, and it is his desire to go on living with her, let her not go away from her husband. For the husband who has not faith is made holy through his Christian wife, and the wife who is not a Christian is made holy through the brother: if not, your children would be unholy, but now are they holy. But if the one who is not a Christian has a desire to go away, let it be so: the brother or the sister in such a position is not forced to do one thing or the other: but it is God's pleasure that we may be at peace with one another. For how may you be certain, O wife, that you will not be the cause of salvation to your husband? or you, O husband, that you may not do the same for your wife?

(CEV) I instruct married couples to stay together, and this is exactly what the Lord himself taught. A wife who leaves her husband should either stay single or go back to her husband. And a husband should not leave his wife. I don't know of anything else the Lord said about marriage. All I can do is to give you my own advice. If your wife isn't a follower of the Lord, but is willing to stay with you, don't divorce her. If your husband isn't a follower, but is willing to stay with you, don't divorce him. Your husband or wife who isn't a follower is made holy by having you as a mate. This also makes your children holy and keeps them from being unclean in God's sight. If your husband or wife isn't a follower of the Lord and decides to divorce you, then you should agree to it. You are no longer bound to that person. After all, God chose you and wants you to live at peace. And besides, how do you know if you will be able to save your husband or wife who isn't a follower?

(KJV+) And¹¹⁶¹ unto the³⁵⁸⁸ married¹⁰⁶⁰ I command,³⁸⁵³ yet not³⁷⁵⁶ I,¹⁴⁷³ but²³⁵ the³⁵⁸⁸ Lord,²⁹⁶² Let not³³⁶¹ the wife¹¹³⁵ depart⁵⁵⁶³ from⁵⁷⁵ her husband:⁴³⁵ But¹¹⁶¹ and²⁵³² if¹⁴³⁷ she depart,⁵⁵⁶³ let her remain³³⁰⁶ unmarried,²² or²²²⁸ be reconciled²⁶⁴⁴ to her husband:⁴³⁵ and²⁵³² let not³³⁶¹ the husband⁴³⁵ put away⁸⁶³ his wife.¹¹³⁵ But¹¹⁶¹ to the³⁵⁸⁸ rest³⁰⁶² speak³⁰⁰⁴ I,¹⁴⁷³ not³⁷⁵⁶ the³⁵⁸⁸ Lord:²⁹⁶² If any¹⁵³⁶ brother⁸⁰ hath²¹⁹² a wife¹¹³⁵ that believeth not,⁵⁷¹ and²⁵³² she⁸⁴⁶ be pleased⁴⁹⁰⁹ to dwell³⁶¹¹ with³³²⁶ him,⁸⁴⁶ let him not³³⁶¹ put her away.^{863, 846} And²⁵³² the woman¹¹³⁵ which³⁷⁴⁸ hath²¹⁹² a husband⁴³⁵ that believeth not,⁵⁷¹ and²⁵³² if he⁸⁴⁶ be pleased⁴⁹⁰⁹ to dwell³⁶¹¹ with³³²⁶ her,⁸⁴⁶ let her not³³⁶¹ leave⁸⁶³ him.⁸⁴⁶ For¹⁰⁶³ the³⁵⁸⁸ unbelieving⁵⁷¹ husband⁴³⁵ is sanctified³⁷ by¹⁷²² the³⁵⁸⁸ wife,¹¹³⁵ and²⁵³² the³⁵⁸⁸ unbelieving⁵⁷¹ wife¹¹³⁵ is sanctified³⁷ by¹⁷²² the³⁵⁸⁸ husband:⁴³⁵ else^{1893, (686)} were²⁰⁷⁶ your⁵²¹⁶ children⁵⁰⁴³ unclean;¹⁶⁹ but¹¹⁶¹ now³⁵⁶⁸ are²⁰⁷⁶ they holy.⁴⁰ But¹¹⁶¹ if¹⁴⁸⁷ the³⁵⁸⁸ unbelieving⁵⁷¹ depart,⁵⁵⁶³ let him depart.⁵⁵⁶³ A brother⁸⁰ or²²²⁸ a sister⁷⁹ is not³⁷⁵⁶ under bondage¹⁴⁰² in¹⁷²² such⁵¹⁰⁸ cases: but¹¹⁶¹ God²³¹⁶ hath called²⁵⁶⁴ us²²⁴⁸ to¹⁷²² peace.¹⁵¹⁵ For¹⁰⁶³ what⁵¹⁰¹ knowest¹⁴⁹² thou, O wife,¹¹³⁵ whether¹⁴⁸⁷ thou shalt save⁴⁹⁸² thy husband?⁴³⁵ or²²²⁸ how⁵¹⁰¹ knowest¹⁴⁹² thou, O man,⁴³⁵ whether¹⁴⁸⁷ thou shalt save⁴⁹⁸² thy wife?¹³⁵

Back to the Greek:

Verse 10: depart

G5563

χωρίζω

chōrizō

1) to separate, divide, part, put asunder, to separate one’s self from, to depart

1a) to leave a husband or wife

1a) of divorce

1b) to depart, go away

Part of Speech: verb

Verse 11: remain

G3306

μένω

menō

men'-o

A primary verb; to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy): - abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for), X thine own.

Reconciled^:

G2644

καταλλάσσω

katallassō

kat-al-las'-so

From G2596 and G236; to change mutually, that is, (figuratively) to compound a difference: - reconcile.

(YLT) and to the married I announce--not I, but the Lord--let not a wife separate from a husband: but and if she may separate, let her remain unmarried, or to the husband let her be reconciled, and let not a husband send away a wife. And to the rest I speak--not the Lord--if any brother hath a wife unbelieving, and she is pleased to dwell with him, let him not send her away; and a woman who hath a husband unbelieving, and he is pleased to dwell with her, let her not send him away; for the unbelieving husband hath been sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife hath been sanctified in the husband; otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy. And, if the unbelieving doth separate himself--let him separate himself: the brother or the sister is not under servitude in such cases , and in peace hath God called us; for what, hast thou known, O wife, whether the husband thou shalt save? or what, hast thou known, O husband, whether the wife thou shalt save?

Verse 15 gives another reason for separation, but it says NOTHING about remarriage.

1 Corinthians 7:15

(ALT) But if the unbelieving [spouse] separates himself, let him be separating himself: the brother or the sister has not been bound in such [cases], but God has called us in peace.

(ASV) Yet if the unbelieving departeth, let him depart: the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us in peace.

(BBE) But if the one who is not a Christian has a desire to go away, let it be so: the brother or the sister in such a position is not forced to do one thing or the other: but it is God's pleasure that we may be at peace with one another.

(CEV) If your husband or wife isn't a follower of the Lord and decides to divorce you, then you should agree to it. You are no longer bound to that person. After all, God chose you and wants you to live at peace.

(KJV+) But¹¹⁶¹ if¹⁴⁸⁷ the³⁵⁸⁸ unbelieving⁵⁷¹ depart,⁵⁵⁶³ let him depart.⁵⁵⁶³ A brother⁸⁰ or²²²⁸ a sister⁷⁹ is not³⁷⁵⁶ under bondage¹⁴⁰² in¹⁷²² such⁵¹⁰⁸ cases: but¹¹⁶¹ God²³¹⁶ hath called²⁵⁶⁴ us²²⁴⁸ to¹⁷²² peace.¹⁵¹⁵

(YLT) And, if the unbelieving doth separate himself--let him separate himself: the brother or the sister is not under servitude in such cases , and in peace hath God called us

Look at verse 27:

1Co 7:27

(ALT) Have you been bound to a wife? Stop seeking to be loosed [or, divorced]. Have you been loosed from a wife? Stop seeking a wife.

(ASV) Art thou bound unto a wife? Seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife.

(BBE) If you are married to a wife, make no attempt to get free from her: if you are free from a wife, do not take a wife.

(CEV) If you are married, stay married. If you are not married, don't try to get married.

(KJV+) Art thou bound¹²¹⁰ unto a wife (or husband)?¹¹³⁵ seek²²¹² not³³⁶¹ to be loosed.³⁰⁸⁰ Art thou loosed³⁰⁸⁹ from⁵⁷⁵ a wife (or husband)?¹¹³⁵ seek²²¹² not³³⁶¹ a wife (or husband).¹¹³⁵

Loosed: G3080

λύσις

lusis

loo'-sis

From G3089; a loosening, that is, (specifically) divorce: - to be loosed.

(YLT) Hast thou been bound to a wife? seek not to be loosed; hast thou been loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

1Co 7:39

(ALT) A wife has been bound by [the] law as long as her husband lives, but if also the husband sleeps [fig., dies], she is free to be married to whomever she desires, only in [the] Lord.

(ASV) A wife is bound for so long time as her husband liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is free to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

(BBE) It is right for a wife to be with her husband as long as he is living; but when her husband is dead, she is free to be married to another; but only to a Christian.

(CEV) A wife should stay married to her husband until he dies. Then she is free to marry again, but only to a man who is a follower of the Lord.

(KJV+) The wife¹¹³⁵ is bound¹²¹⁰ by the law³⁵⁵¹ as long as^{1909, 3745, 5550} her⁸⁴⁸ husband⁴³⁵ liveth;²¹⁹⁸ but¹¹⁶¹ if¹⁴³⁷ her⁸⁴⁸ husband⁴³⁵ be dead,²⁸³⁷ she is²⁰⁷⁶ at liberty¹⁶⁵⁸ to be married¹⁰⁶⁰ to whom³⁷³⁹ she will;²³⁰⁹ only³⁴⁴⁰ in¹⁷²² the Lord.²⁹⁶²

(YLT) A wife hath been bound by law as long time as her husband may live, and if her husband may sleep, she is free to be married to whom she will--only in the Lord;

What is the “bound by the law” mean:

BOUND G1210

δέω

deō

Thayer Definition:

1) to bind tie, fasten

1a) to bind, fasten with chains, to throw into chains

1b) metaphorically

1b1) to bind, put under obligation, of the law, duty etc.

1b1a) to be bound to one, a wife, a husband

1b2) to forbid, prohibit, declare to be illicit

LAW G3551

νόμος

nomos

Thayer Definition:

1) anything established, anything received by usage, a custom, a law, a command

1a) of any law whatsoever

1a1) a law or rule producing a state approved of God