What God Has Put Together Let No Man Break Apart Meaning
Definition: Christian marriages should not end in divorce.
Sometimes people use the word joined instead put, as in what God has joined together, let no man put asunder or they use tear or separate instead of put asunder as in, what God put together let no man separate or what God put together let no man tear apart.
Origin of What God Has Put Together Let No Man Put Asunder
This expression comes from the Bible, and appears in Matthew 19:6:
- So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
It means that marriage comes from God, and therefore people should not end a marriage.
Examples of What God Has Put Together Let No Man Put Asunder
This example shows two college students using the expression while discussing their parents’ marriages.
Frank: I heard that around 50% of marriages end in divorce. Is that true?
Karl: Well, I’m not sure. All I can tell you is that my parents are divorced.
Frank: Really? I didn’t know that. Mine are still married.
Karl: It’s actually strange that they divorced, because they are both devout Christians. They always told their other friends who got divorced the quote from the Bible that says what God has joined together let no man put asunder.
Frank: So what happened to make them change their minds?
Karl: I’m not sure. But they don’t quote that part of the Bible anymore.
In this example, two friends are talking about the possibility of getting a divorce.
Lily: Things aren’t going so well with my husband and me.
Grace: Oh no! What happened?
Lily: I just don’t think we’re right for each other. I talked to my priest about it and he told me what God has joined together let no man put asunder.
Grace: What would happen if you did get a divorce? Could you still go to that church?
Lily: I’m not sure if I would be welcome there.
More Examples
The excerpt below is about the wedding of Prince William of England and Kate Middleton.
Will placed the wedding band on Kate’s finger, but it snagged on her knuckle as he pushed it on. Afterward, the couple kneeled before the altar and the archbishop said a prayer, wrapping their hands with a sash.
“What God has joined together let no man set asunder,” he said. “I pronounce that they be man and wife together in the name of the father, the son and the holy ghost,” and the crowd let out another roar. –LA Times
This excerpt is about an athlete who keeps this quote on his necklace as a symbol of his love for his marriage.
- Rasmus lifts up a silver necklace. His wife’s and daughters’ initials are engraved on one piece. “What God has joined together, let no one separate” from Mark 10:9 is written on another. –Houston Chronicle
Summary
The expression what God has joined together let no man put asunder means that marriage is a holy thing, and humans should not break apart a marriage.
Contents