What the Bible Says About Marriage
Marriage, as ordained by God, is one of the most profound and sacred institutions known to mankind. From the very beginning of creation, God established marriage not merely as a social construct, but as a divine covenant designed to reflect His nature and purpose. The Bible, particularly the King James Version, offers an unwavering and comprehensive guide to understanding this holy union, revealing its origin, purpose, responsibilities, and enduring significance in the life of believers and the fabric of society. It is a relationship intended for companionship, procreation, and ultimately, for the glory of God. To truly grasp the essence of marriage, we must turn to the infallible Word, allowing its timeless truths to illuminate our path and shape our understanding of this foundational bond.
The Divine Origin of Marriage
The Genesis account provides the foundational narrative for marriage, revealing its divine blueprint. God, in His infinite wisdom, saw that it was not good for man to be alone, thus creating woman as a suitable helper.
And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
Eve was fashioned from Adam's rib, signifying their intrinsic unity and equality in essence, yet distinct roles. This act established the foundational principle of marriage: a man leaving his parents to unite with his wife, becoming one flesh.
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Jesus Himself affirmed this original design, emphasizing the indissoluble nature of this union when questioned about divorce. He reiterated that from the beginning, God made them male and female, and what God has joined together, no man should separate.
But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
This divine origin underscores that marriage is not a human invention, but a sacred institution established by the Creator Himself, reflecting His order and design for humanity.
The Covenantal Nature of Marriage
Biblical marriage is fundamentally a covenant, a solemn and binding agreement before God. It is not merely a contract that can be broken at will, but a lifelong commitment of faithfulness and devotion between one man and one woman. The prophet Malachi speaks powerfully against treachery within marriage, reminding Israel that the Lord is witness to the covenant between a husband and the wife of his youth.
Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.
This covenantal aspect implies exclusivity, permanence, and a mutual promise to cherish and protect one another. It is a relationship built on trust, fidelity, and unwavering commitment, mirroring God's own covenant faithfulness to His people. The idea of "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24) speaks to an unbreakable bond, a profound unity that transcends physical intimacy to encompass spiritual, emotional, and relational oneness. This sacred bond is to be honored by all, with the marriage bed kept undefiled.
Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
The covenant demands perseverance through trials, forgiveness, and a commitment to grow together in love and godliness, reflecting the enduring love of Christ for His Church.
Roles and Responsibilities within Marriage
The Bible outlines distinct, yet complementary, roles for husbands and wives, all rooted in mutual love and respect, and ultimately submission to Christ. These roles are not about superiority or inferiority, but about order and function within the divine design for the family.
- For Husbands: The husband is called to be the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head of the church. This headship is not tyrannical but sacrificial, loving, and nurturing. Husbands are commanded to love their wives as Christ loved the church, even giving Himself for it.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
This profound love involves protection, provision, spiritual leadership, and treating their wives with honor and understanding.
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
- For Wives: Wives are called to submit themselves unto their own husbands, as unto the Lord. This submission is not subservience, but a willing cooperation and respect for the husband's loving leadership, mirroring the church's submission to Christ.
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
A virtuous wife is described as a crown to her husband, building up her household with wisdom and diligence.
A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
She is to be a helpmeet, a partner who complements and supports her husband in all aspects of life.
- Mutual Responsibility: While distinct roles exist, marriage is fundamentally a partnership of mutual love, respect, and service. Both are called to bear one another's burdens, to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving. The ideal marriage is one where both spouses are striving to glorify God through their union, serving each other out of reverence for Christ.
The Purpose of Marriage
Beyond the foundational principles, the Bible reveals several key purposes for which God instituted marriage:
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
Sexual intimacy within marriage is pure and undefiled, designed by God for pleasure and procreation.
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
This spiritual dimension elevates marriage beyond a mere human arrangement to a sacred institution with eternal significance.
Challenges and Endurance
Marriage, while blessed by God, is not without its challenges. Living with another imperfect human being requires grace, patience, and forgiveness. The Bible acknowledges that spouses will face "trouble in the flesh" (1 Corinthians 7:28). However, it also provides the spiritual resources to navigate these difficulties. Love, as described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, is the enduring foundation: "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up... Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." Prayer, communication, and a shared commitment to Christ are vital for strengthening the marital bond through trials. Husbands and wives are called to be forbearing and forgiving one another, even as Christ forgave them.
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
The endurance of a marriage is a testament to the power of God working in and through two individuals committed to His design.
Sexual Intimacy within Marriage
The Bible is clear that sexual intimacy is a sacred gift from God, exclusively reserved for the marriage covenant. It is an expression of the "one flesh" union and is to be enjoyed and honored within the confines of marriage.
Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
The apostle Paul instructs spouses not to deprive one another of physical intimacy, except by mutual consent for a time of prayer and fasting, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling marital duties.
Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
This perspective elevates marital intimacy as a holy act, designed by God not only for procreation but also for pleasure, bonding, and preventing sexual immorality. Any sexual activity outside of this sacred bond is condemned as sin.
Divorce and Remarriage
The Bible's stance on divorce is clear: God hates it. Malachi 2:16 states, "For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away." This expresses God's heart for the permanence of the marriage covenant. Jesus, too, affirmed the original intent of marriage as indissoluble, stating that those who divorce and remarry (except for the cause of fornication) commit adultery.
And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
The "exception clause" ("fornication" or porneia in Greek, encompassing various forms of sexual immorality) is debated among scholars, but generally understood to be the only biblically permissible ground for divorce. Even in such cases, reconciliation is often encouraged where possible. The ideal is always for the marriage to endure, reflecting God's faithfulness. The Bible encourages believers to work tirelessly to preserve their marriages, seeking God's grace and strength to overcome any challenges that threaten the union.
Conclusion
The Bible presents a beautiful, challenging, and profoundly spiritual vision of marriage. It is a divine institution, a sacred covenant between one man and one woman, designed by God to reflect His nature, provide companionship, propagate humanity, and prevent immorality. From the original creation account in Genesis 2 to the profound analogy of Christ and the Church in Ephesians 5, the Scriptures consistently uphold marriage as honorable, exclusive, and enduring. While roles are distinct, the overarching call for both husband and wife is to love, respect, serve, and cherish one another, always striving to glorify God in their union. In a world that often distorts and devalues marriage, the Bible remains the unwavering standard, offering the timeless truth and divine wisdom necessary to build strong, Christ-centered marriages that stand the test of time and bring honor to the Creator.