Marriage is a highly revered institution in many cultures, especially in the Christian church. According to the Bible, marriage is a divinely-ordained covenant between a man and a woman, with the intention of providing a legally binding contract for a social relationship that should last for life.
The Bible is clear about the sanctity of marriage, as it is seen throughout the Old Testament and New Testament. In the Old Testament, God declared that it is not good for man to be alone and created woman to be a help-meet for him (Genesis 2:18). This established a marital union between Adam and Eve as the first example of marriage. Jesus also referred to this in Mark 10:6-9, when he said, “Therefore what God hath joined together, let not man put asunder”.
The Bible views marriage as a commitment between two people for life. In the book of Malachi, God speaks about the importance of keeping a marriage together and writes: “…the Lord has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth…Yet she is your companion and the wife of your covenant” (Malachi 2:14). This emphasises the importance of loyalty in a marriage, and highlights how marriage serves as a binding agreement between husband and wife.
Beyond this, the Bible has much to say about the benefits of marriage. In Ephesians 5:31-33, the Apostle Paul wrote, “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 a profound one, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church”. This is a reference to the metaphor of Christ being the husband and the Church being his bride. The Bible uses marriage to illustrate this analogy and highlight God’s role in the relationship.
The Bible also speaks about the importance of having love and respect for one another. In 1Corinthians 13:4-7, it is written, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” This verse is often referred to as the “Love Chapter” in the Bible, and it stresses the importance of having love and respect in a marriage.
The Bible also speaks about the importance of forgiveness. In Ephesians 4:26-27, it is written, “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.” This emphasises the importance of forgiving one another, no matter what the situation may be. Marriage is a journey, and it would not be realistic to expect a marriage to be problem-free. Learning to forgive one another when mistakes happen is a vital part of building a strong, lasting relationship.
Overall, the Bible speaks clearly and loudly about the importance of marriage. It provides us with guidelines and principles for a successful marriage, and its teachings remind us that forgiveness and love are the foundations for a strong marriage. Understanding the biblical perspective on marriage is a great way to strengthen a marriage and ensure that it lasts for a lifetime.
More Benefits of Marriage
The Bible is full of benefits of marriage. Marriage is seen as an opportunity for two people to come together and stay together, as one. The Bible speaks of the joy of marriage, and how it brings us closer to God. One of the most well-known verses in the Bible is Ephesians 5:21-33, which talks about the importance of submitting to each other within a marriage. This encourages a deeper sense of unity and understanding between a married couple.
Marriage is also seen as an opportunity to grow in faith. The Bible talks about how marriage can be sanctified in God’s sight to become something even more special. 1Peter 3:7 says, “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.” This speaks of the power of prayer within a marriage, and how two people can draw closer to God together.
Another great benefit of marriage is that it provides a stable environment for children to grow up in. The Bible speaks of the importance of children being raised in a family setting, instead of being raised in a broken home. This is further emphasised in Ephesians 6:4, which says, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Marriage provides a safe and secure environment, which can be an invaluable asset to children as they grow and mature.
Marriage also brings companionship and support. Proverbs 18:22 says, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.” This speaks of the joys of finding someone special to share your life with. By spending time together and enjoying each other’s company, a marriage can bring joy, laughter and fulfillment.
Overall, the Bible speaks of the blessings of marriage. When two people choose to come together, they are committing to build something beautiful and lasting. A marriage can provide joy, support, security, and an opportunity to draw closer to God. It is clear that the Bible sees marriage as something special, and it is full of words of encouragement, teaching, and instruction.
It goes without saying that no marriage is perfect and that even the strongest of marriages can face difficult times. When difficulties arise, it can be hard for couples to know how to handle them. The Bible has plenty of teachings about how to navigate through tough times, and how couples can draw closer to God in the process.
The Bible advises us to look to Jesus in times of hardship and to follow his example of love and forgiveness. In Matthew 5:44, it says, “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” This is an example of a fundamental biblical principle that can be applied to any difficult situation. Learning to forgive one another can be a powerful way to move through difficult times and pass through them unscathed.
The Bible also speaks of the importance of communication. In James 1:19, it is written, “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;” This encourages couples to truly listen to one another and be patient with each other’s feelings. Communication is essential in any relationship, and learning to talk openly and honestly can be a great way to navigate through difficult times.
The Bible also encourages couples to rely on God during hardship. In Psalm 55:22, it says, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” This speaks of the power of prayer and of trusting God to help you through even the toughest of times. A marriage that is built on faith and trust in God will be able to weather any storm.
Overall, the Bible is a great source of comfort and guidance. Instead of dwelling on difficulties, the Bible encourages couples to look to God for strength and to look to each other for understanding. With the right perspective, even the most difficult times can be navigated with grace and resilience.
Practical Advice
Along with spiritual advice, the Bible also provides practical advice for couples on how to make their marriage work. In Colossians 3:12-13, it is written, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” This teaches us how to be kind and understanding towards one another, and how to deal with conflict in a constructive way.
The Bible talks about the importance of equality in a marriage. Galatians 3:28 says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” This verse speaks of the importance of coming together, as equals, in a marriage. Both husband and wife should feel like partners in the relationship, and should be able to rely on each other for mutual love and respect.
The Bible also speaks of the importance of understanding. In Proverbs 17:1, it is written, “Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.” This encourages couples to pick their battles, and to strive for understanding over contention. Being able to compromise with one another and come to a mutual understanding is essential in any marriage.
Overall, the Bible is full of practical advice to guide couples in their marriage. Be it learning to handle conflict, understanding each other, or showing respect and kindness, the Bible has much to say about how to make a marriage successful. Couples can use the Bible as a source of wisdom and guidance to help them on their journey together.
Conclusion
The Bible speaks loudly and clearly about the importance of marriage. It provides us with principles and guidelines to help us stay on track and build a strong, lasting marriage. Through teachings of loyalty, respect, forgiveness, and love, the Bible shows us what a successful marriage looks like. Couples can use the Bible for both spiritual and practical guidance, to ensure their marriage is the best it can be.
