These days, marriage is considered a sacred institution. So, what does marriage look like in the Bible? How does it fit into God’s original plan for relationships? What can we learn from the Scriptures in regards to this topic?
The Bible paints a picture of marriage that is undeniably beautiful and an essential part of God’s design. It is a covenantal relationship between a man and a woman who come together before God to give themselves to one another in love, intimacy and commitment. In Genesis 2:24, they become “one flesh.” The couple belongs to each other and is devoted exclusively to one another, leaving behind fathers and mothers. It is the foundational relationship in which children are born, nurtured and raised to serve God.
In the Bible, marriage is the only acceptable context for sexual relations. For example, Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 7:2, “Each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman should have sexual relations with her own husband.” But the Bible also teaches that marriage is much more than a sexual relationship. It is an intimate, exclusive partnership between one man and one woman, body and soul, intended to last a lifetime (Matthew 19:3-6).
God created marriage to be a reflection of the way He loves and commits to the people He has created. As Christians, we understand that marriage is a reflection of our relationship with God. Even though the Bible provides guidance and principles, marriage is still hard work. So, couples should make sure to pray often and put God at the center of their relationship.
In Matthew 19:6, Jesus says, “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” This is why Christians value the permanence of marriage. Marriage is sacred, and couples should strive to keep their covenant in holiness, faithfulness and love. This is the only way to keep the picture of marriage, as painted in the Bible, alive and vibrant.
Marriage, in the Bible, is a reflection of God’s love. It is an intimate, exclusive partnership between one man and one woman, body and soul, intended to last a lifetime. It is a sacred covenant to be cherished and honored.
Effects of Divorce
The effects of divorce are devastating for both spouses and for any children involved. In Matthew 19:6-9, Jesus warned of the consequences of divorce, saying, “What God has joined together, let no one separate… If anyone divorces his wife and marries another, he commits adultery.”
Divorce not only breaks up a family, but it can also cause immense emotional pain. From a financial standpoint, divorce can be incredibly expensive and crushing to a family’s financial security. Additionally, there are social and psychological effects of divorce. Over time, couples may find it difficult to remember life before the divorce and even more difficult to imagine life after it.
Divorce is often seen as an act of failure, which can be incredibly shaming to both parties involved. In fact, many people who have been through a divorce report feeling a deep shame and a sense of personal defeat. Furthermore, divorce can have a negative impact on a person’s self-confidence and sense of worth.
Divorce also carries other implications for a person’s faith and spiritual life. It can be difficult for a couple to reconcile their faith with their decision to end their marriage, and many people report feeling estranged from their faith because of it. Thus, although the Bible permits divorce in certain cases, it is not something to be taken lightly.
Rejecting Co-Habitation
The Bible actually rejects the idea of cohabitation between unmarried couples. In 1 Corinthians 6:18 it states, “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.” By living together, unmarried couples are rejecting the biblical model of marriage by engaging in sexual behavior without the commitment of marriage.
Cohabitation can also lead to unhealthy patterns and have damaging consequences on a relationship. Individuals in cohabiting relationships are more likely to experience infidelity, depression, anxiety, and lower commitment in their relationship. Studies have also found that couples who live together before marriage are more likely to divorce after marriage.
The Bible also cautions against divorce, although it does permit it in cases of adultery (Matthew 19:9) and abandonment (1 Corinthians 7:15). The Bible presents divorce as an unfortunate consequence of a broken home but not God’s original plan for marriage. Thus, the Scriptures encourage couples to stay together in marriage and to look for ways to make their marriage stronger.
Images of Married Love in the Bible
In the Bible, an ideal image of married love is depicted in the relationship between a husband and a wife. In the book of Proverbs, the wife is described as “a crown to her husband” (Proverbs 12:4) and as “the joint of his (the husband’s) bones” (Proverbs 5:19). The husband is instructed to love his wife as he loves himself (Ephesians 5:33).
The Bible further instructs husbands to “live with his wife in an understanding way” (1 Peter 3:7). This implies continual efforts to get to know her, to relate to her and to understand her needs. Furthermore, Ephesians 5:28-29 encourages husbands to “love (their wives) as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” In summation, the husband’s love for his wife should be sacrificial, selfless and all-encompassing.
Finally, married couples must be willing to forgive one another. In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus says “if you forgive others their sins, your Father in heaven will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive you your sins.”
The Biblical Standard of Marriage
The Bible sets a high standard for marriage, stating that husbands and wives should love one another unconditionally, honor one another and serve one another. In Ephesians 5:25 and 33, husbands are instructed to love their wives “as their own bodies” and parents are to shepherd their children “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” In 1 Peter 3:7, husbands and wives should “live with one another in an understanding way, as with someone you are united to in a deep, personal relationship.”
The Bible also speaks positively of the joys of marriage. In Proverbs 5:18-19, it states, “Let your fountain be blessed and may you rejoice in your wife. May she give you delight, her innermost being be a source of joy.” In each of these passages, we see the importance of establishing a strong and loving marital relationship according to the biblical standard.
An Invitation to Personal Reflection
Marriage is essential to human flourishing and reflects the beauty, commitment and love of God. The Bible offers us a valuable glimpse into what God intends for us in marriage, and it is our job to align our lives with God’s heart for marriage. Thus, it is important for couples to open themselves up to reflection and continual growth in their marriages.
Couples should strive to maintain a healthy and honoring relationship with God and each other. They should take time to evaluate their marriages and actively make an effort to reach deeper levels of understanding and love. Marriages can thrive if couples are honest about their feelings, allow each other to grow in their roles and serve each other in love.
Understanding Adultery in the Bible
In the Bible, adultery is seen as a serious offense. According to Exodus 20:14 & Deuteronomy 5:18, adultery is forbidden. It’s important to recognize that adultery is not just having sex with someone who is not your spouse, it’s also engaging in intimate activities that could eventually lead to a sexual relationship such as sleeping in the same bed, sharing meals or sending intimate texts or emails.
Moreover, the Bible recognizes the consequences of adultery are far-reaching. Adultery can damage the bond between spouses, destroy relationships, break down family units, lead to feelings of guilt and shame, and cause emotional trauma. These effects usually carry over from spouse to spouse and from generation to generation.
Consequently, this is why understanding and honoring the biblical view of marriage is so important. Marriage in the Bible is a covenant between a man and a woman, designed for lifelong commitment and love. Adultery goes against this design and can cause irreparable damage.
The Blessing of a God-Centered Marriage
A God-centered marriage is essential to achieving a lasting unity. A marriage where both spouses have put God at the center and are pursuing Him together can lead to a life with more joy, purpose, and freedom. Such a marriage is the most fulfilling and intimate of marriages, and the couple will experience a depth of connection, love, and understanding that cannot be achieved in any other way.
In addition, a God-centered marriage will bring glory to God. When God is at the center of a marriage, both husband and wife have a relationship with Him as well as one with each other. They are able to experience the joy, strength and peace that can only be found in a relationship with God.
Finally, a God-centered marriage is where God’s will is done. When the couple’s hearts are open to God’s plan for their marriage, they can make decisions that are in alignment with God’s will. This can lead to joy and purpose beyond what they could accomplish on their own.
