Marriage

Marriage is defined in scripture as the union of one man and one woman for the duration of a lifetime. When God created man, he observed that it was not good for man to be alone. Thus, God created the woman from Adam's side in order for them to be companions and helpers. God did this that man might not be alone, that man and woman could experience a sexual relationship, and that the two again might become "one flesh," which is manifested in the creation of offspring.

Characteristics of Marriage

  • Lifelong - God created marriage with the intent that the bond would last until death. Ideally, this means one ought never to break the marriage bond through divorce.
  • Monogamous - God also intends that the marriage bond remains exclusive and void of adulterous relationships and sexual immorality.
  • Typological - Ultimately, marriage is instituted to serve as a picture or "type" of God's relationship with God’s people, of Christ and his Bride, the Church. Because Christ never abandons his bride, marriage should also reflect this commitment.

Related Passages

Genesis 1:27-28
So, God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Matthew 19:6
So, they are no longer two but one flesh. What God has joined together, let no man separate.

Discussion Questions

  • What is God’s goal for marriage?

    • Gen 2:22-24: And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman because she was taken out of man.” Therefore, a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

    • Eph 5:29-32: For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.

  • What does Jesus have to say about the permanence of marriage?

    • Mark 10:6-9: But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So, they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

  • In what ways does marriage create “one flesh”?

    • Gen 1:28: And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Moving Forward

  • Be a Servant

    • Marriage has been described as two people attempting to out-serve one another. When our focus is on serving our spouse, marriage functions as intended.

  • Keep Realistic Expectations

    • As we are all sinners, we should not place undue burden on our spouse to live up to an unrealistic standard. Rather, we should be prepared to forgive one another as often as required.

  • Keep Communication Open

    • Marriage requires a lot of communication to function in a healthy way. Make it a point to set aside time for you and your spouse to converse and to devote yourselves to prayer and reading scripture.