Divorce

Separation and dissolution of marriage, including grounds for it. Part of Marriage.

Passages that substantially address this topic, in date order.

• Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.1.10 (29.10)Hermas · ca. 100–150 · Separated spouses must stay unmarried because repentance is possible.
• Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.1.4 (29.4)Hermas · ca. 100–150 · Hermas asks: does a husband sin by living with an adulterous wife?
• Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.1.5 (29.5)Hermas · ca. 100–150 · A husband who knowingly stays with an unrepentant adulterous wife shares her sin.
• Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.1.6 (29.6)Hermas · ca. 100–150 · The husband should separate but not remarry; remarriage is adultery.
• Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.1.7 (29.7)Hermas · ca. 100–150 · Hermas asks whether a repentant wife may return.
• Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.1.8 (29.8)Hermas · ca. 100–150 · The husband must take back a repentant wife; this is why he must not remarry. The rule applies equally to both.
• Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.1.9 (29.9)Hermas · ca. 100–150 · Idolatry is also adultery; do not live with one who persists in it.
• First Apology 15Justin Martyr · ca. 150–155 · Christ's teaching on purity, divorce, celibacy, repentance, love of enemies, generosity, and trust in God.
• Second Apology 2Justin Martyr · ca. 150–160 · A Christian wife who divorced her dissolute husband is denounced by him; her teacher Ptolemaeus and two others are executed under Urbicus simply for confessing the name of Christ.