Articles
Some Things the Bible Says about Marriage
Here are some things the Bible says about marriage. Remember, God’s word—not society’s view or personal opinions—establishes truth.
Marriage is God-given. Jesus said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?’” (Matthew 19:4-5; cf. Genesis 2:24). Marriage is not “just a piece of paper.” It is not a product of societal evolution which we are at liberty to alter as we see fit. It is a God-given relationship, which means we must live in it as He directs.
Marriage is to be honored. “Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4). We must honor marriage both in our thinking and in our behavior. The same respect for one’s mate that expresses itself in faithfulness will also express itself in kindness and sacrificial companionship.
Marriage is monogamous. Jesus said a man is joined to his wife; one male and one female; “the two shall become one flesh” (Matthew 19:5). Despite the fact that some of God’s people in the Old Testament practiced polygamy, it is no part of the divine plan for marriage.
Marriage is permanent. “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate” (Matthew 19:6). God binds a husband and wife together until one of them dies (Romans 7:2). What about divorce? That is what Jesus was speaking of when He said “let no man separate.” He attributed divorce to hard hearts and then added, “And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery” (Matthew 19:9).
Marriage is a blending of two people. The expression one flesh refers in part to the physical coming together of a husband and wife, yet it has a broader application. Paul cited Genesis 2:24 in connection with his instruction that a husband should love his wife as himself, as part of himself (Ephesians 5:28-31). Marriage is not just two people learning to get along with each other; it is two people learning to function as a team, as a unit. While maintaining their individuality, husbands and wives often take on each other’s traits to a degree over time.
Genesis 2 presents marriage as God’s solution to our need for companionship. It is only in marriage where sexual relations have their true meaning, and only there does God approve them. Obviously then, marriage is God’s provision for reproduction: not only the physical aspect of it, but also providing the framework in which to rear children.
Obviously, marriage must be taken seriously. Those who are contemplating it need to recognize the commitment it requires and choose their companions carefully. Those who are in it need to consistently do their best to make it all that God intended it to be.
The wise man observed, “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband” (Proverbs 12:4a). No earthly relationship excels the marriage of a man and woman who live together as God directs.
