--- title: "Chapter 24: Of Marriage and Divorce | Westminster Confession of Faith" description: "Westminster Confession of Faith, chapter 24: Of Marriage and Divorce 1. Marriage is to be between one man and one woman: neither is it lawful for any man to have more than one wife, nor for any " canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-24-marriage-and-divorce/" source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=86" --- # Chapter 24: Of Marriage and Divorce | Westminster Confession of Faith 1. Marriage is to be between one man and one woman: neither is it lawful for any man to have more than one wife, nor for any woman to have more than one husband; at the same time. Scripture proofs: Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:5-6; Prov. 2:17. 2. Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of husband and wife, for the increase of mankind with a legitimate issue, and of the Church with an holy seed; and for preventing of uncleanness. Scripture proofs: Gen. 2:18; Mal. 2:15; 1 Cor. 7:2, 9. 3. It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry, who are able with judgment to give their consent. Yet is it the duty of Christians to marry only in the Lord: and therefore such as profess the true reformed religion should not marry with infidels, papists, or other idolaters: neither should such as are godly be unequally yoked, by marrying with such as are notoriously wicked in their life, or maintain damnable heresies. Scripture proofs: Heb. 13:4; 1 Tim. 4:3; 1 Cor. 7:36-38; Gen. 24:57-58; 1 Cor. 7:39; Gen. 34:14; Ex. 34:16; Deut. 7:3-4; 1 Kings 11:4; Neh. 13:25-27; Mal. 2:11-12; 2 Cor. 6:14. 4. Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of consanguinity or affinity forbidden in the Word; nor can such incestuous marriages ever be made lawful by any law of man or consent of parties, so as those persons may live together as man and wife. The man may not marry any of his wife’s kindred nearer in blood than he may of his own; nor the woman of her husband’s kindred nearer in blood than of her own. Scripture proofs: Lev. 18; 1 Cor. 5:1; Amos 2:7; Mark 6:18; Lev. 18:24-28; Lev. 20:19-21. 5. Adultery or fornication committed after a contract, being detected before marriage, giveth just occasion to the innocent party to dissolve that contract. In the case of adultery after marriage, it is lawful for the innocent party to sue out a divorce; and, after the divorce, to marry another, as if the offending party were dead. Scripture proofs: Matt. 1:18-20; Matt. 5:31-32; Matt. 19: 9; Rom. 7:2-3. 6. Although the corruption of man be such as is apt to study arguments unduly to put asunder those whom God hath joined together in marriage; yet nothing but adultery, or such wilful desertion as can no way be remedied by the Church or civil magistrate, is cause sufficient of dissolving the bond of marriage; wherein, a public and orderly course of proceeding is to be observed; and the persons concerned in it not left to their own wills and discretion, in their own case. Scripture proofs: Matt. 19:8-9; 1 Cor. 7:15; Matt. 19:6; Deut. 24:1-4. ## For kids — a study explanation (ages 10–13) These explanations are separate from the official text above. Words to knowMarriage covenantThe solemn bond before God between a husband and wife.AdulterySexual unfaithfulness to a spouse.DesertionWillfully abandoning a spouse and the responsibilities of marriage. ### WCF 24.1 · One husband and one wife God’s design for marriage is one man and one woman. A person may not have more than one husband or wife at the same time. Marriage is an exclusive relationship, calling the spouses to faithfulness. Explore the ScripturesGenesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5-6; Proverbs 2:17. Talk about itWhat does faithfulness mean in an exclusive marriage covenant? [Read original paragraph 1 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-24-marriage-and-divorce/#paragraph-1) ### WCF 24.2 · Why God gave marriage Marriage is for a husband and wife to help one another, for the birth and nurture of children, including their upbringing in the church, and for sexual purity. These are good purposes God gave, rather than reasons for treating another person selfishly. Explore the ScripturesGenesis 2:18; Malachi 2:15; 1 Corinthians 7:2. Talk about itHow can marriage involve both receiving help and giving help? [Read original paragraph 2 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-24-marriage-and-divorce/#paragraph-2) ### WCF 24.3 · Marrying in the Lord People may marry when able to understand and freely consent. Christians have the further duty to marry in the Lord, sharing faithful commitment to Christ. The Confession warns against marriage to unbelievers, idolaters, people devoted to serious wrongdoing, or those holding teachings that undermine salvation. It specifically names Roman Catholics among those outside the Reformed faith. Marriage joins lives deeply, so shared faith matters. Explore the ScripturesHebrews 13:4; 1 Timothy 4:3; 1 Corinthians 7:36-38. Talk about itWhy would a shared commitment to Christ matter in marriage? [Read original paragraph 3 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-24-marriage-and-divorce/#paragraph-3) ### WCF 24.4 · Family boundaries in marriage Scripture forbids marriage within certain close family relationships. Civil permission or personal agreement cannot make a forbidden relationship lawful. The original paragraph ends by extending matching restrictions to a spouse’s relatives. The RPCNA rejects that final sentence and explains that marrying a deceased spouse’s sibling is not automatically forbidden. Its exception does not remove the Bible’s genuine family boundaries. Read with the RP TestimonyThe RPCNA rejects the final sentence of WCF 24.4. The Testimony explains why marriage to a deceased spouse’s sibling is not automatically forbidden. [Read the Testimony’s explanation](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-24-marriage-and-divorce/#point-21)Explore the Scriptures1 Corinthians 5:1; Amos 2:7; Mark 6:18. Talk about itCan a government’s permission make something God forbids right? [Read original paragraph 4 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-24-marriage-and-divorce/#paragraph-4) ### WCF 24.5 · When faithfulness is broken Sexual unfaithfulness discovered after engagement but before marriage can give the innocent person grounds to end that agreement. Adultery after marriage gives the innocent spouse lawful grounds for divorce and, after divorce, remarriage. This paragraph concerns a serious breach of faithfulness, not permission to discard someone casually. Explore the ScripturesMatthew 1:18-20; Matthew 5:31-32; Matthew 19:9. Talk about itWhy should serious promises of faithfulness be taken seriously? [Read original paragraph 5 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-24-marriage-and-divorce/#paragraph-5) ### WCF 24.6 · Divorce is a serious matter People should not invent excuses to break a marriage. The Confession names adultery and willful desertion that the church or government cannot remedy as grounds for divorce. The process should be public and orderly, with proper help and oversight, rather than left only to someone’s personal decision. The Testimony further explains how these principles apply. Explore the ScripturesMatthew 19:8-9; 1 Corinthians 7:15; Matthew 19:6. Talk about itWhy should a troubled marriage involve wise help rather than hasty decisions? [Read original paragraph 6 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-24-marriage-and-divorce/#paragraph-6) ### Discuss and remember Read the chapter together, then choose a question to talk about. - How should love and faithfulness shape family life? - How can we show kindness to people whose families face difficulties? #### Scripture to remember Ephesians 5:2 [Read the memory passage in our Bible reader →](https://ctkrp.org/bible/?q=Ephesians%205%3A2) Read the passage in context. Explain it in your own words, then practice one short phrase at a time. Review it together during the week. #### Put it into practice Do one helpful task for your household without being asked. [Find help for family worship](https://ctkrp.org/family-worship/) Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=86) ## Related reading - [Read RP Testimony chapter 24](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-24-marriage-and-divorce/) - [Chapter 23](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-23-civil-magistrate/) - [Chapter 25](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-25-church/) Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-24-marriage-and-divorce/