Jesus did not settle the divorce debate by choosing among the current opinions. He took the question back to God's making of male and female and to the joining of two into one flesh, then named the one exception he would allow.

Malachi 2:16 treats divorce that springs from hatred and treachery as violence because it breaks a covenant God witnessed and wounds the vulnerable. The verse calls God's people to faithfulness of spirit, not to shame, and it never asks anyone to remain in danger.

Paul treats the command against a spouse leaving as the Lord's own word, not his own counsel, and he keeps the door open after a separation. Where an unbelieving spouse departs, the believer is not bound, and the outcome is left with God.