S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

The creation of marriage is recorded in Genesis 2:23-24: "The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called "woman," for she was taken out of man." For this rea...

Login or Sign Up to view the rest of this answer.

July 01 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College & Dallas Seminary graduate, Pentair

The apostles state clearly and enforce the nuptial (“pertaining to marriage”) duties of husband and wife (Eph. 5:22-33; Col. 3:18, 19; 1 Pet. 3:1-7).--bible.org

The context of Eph. 5:22-33 begins with the previous verse, Eph 5:21, "And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." Then in the next 3 verses the writer, Paul, deals with the wife being yielded to her husband: "For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. 24 As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything."

And the husband is to be devoted to his wife (Ephesians 5:25-32 = 8 verses! [compared to the 3 verses about the wife's duty!]). Ephesians 5:25 says, "For husbands, this mean love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God's word. 27 He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. 28 In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. 29 No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. 30 And we are members of his body. 31 As the Scriptures say, 'A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.' 32 This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one."

Colossians 3:19 ILLUSTRATION OF AGAPE LOVE OF A HUSBAND - "Dr. Robert Seizer, in his book Mortal Lessons- Notes on the Art of Surgery, tells of performing surgery to remove a tumor in which it was necessary to sever a facial nerve, leaving a young woman’s mouth permanently twisted in palsy. In Dr. Seizer’s own words, 'Her young husband is in the room. He stands on the opposite side of the bed, and together they seem to dwell in the evening lamp light, isolated from me, private. Who are they, I ask myself, he and this wry-mouth I have made, who gaze at and touch each other so generously, greedily? The young woman speaks. 'Will my mouth always be like this?' she asks. 'Yes,' I say, 'it will. It is because the nerve was cut.' She nods, and is silent. But the young man smiles. 'I like it,' he says. 'It is kind of cute.' All at once I know who he is. I understand, and I lower my gaze. One is not bold in an encounter with a god. Unmindful, he bends to kiss her crooked mouth, and I, so close, can see how he twists his own lips to accommodate to hers, to show her that their kiss still works." (Kent Hughes - Colossians and Philemon: the supremacy of Christ)

April 29 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What does the Bible say about Marriage?

The Bible defines marriage as a sacred, lifelong covenant and physical ("one flesh") union between one man and one woman, designed by God for companionship, faithfulness, and to reflect Christ's relationship with the church.

Hebrews 13:4 ESV - "Let marriage be held in honour among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous."

Matthew 19:2-9 ESV: "And large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, 'Is it lawful to divorce one's wife for any cause?' He answered, 'Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his 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.'" 

Mark 10:6-9 ESV: "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."

The Bible presents marriage as a sacred covenant established by God. From the beginning, God created man and woman to complement one another and live in a close, lifelong relationship. Genesis 2:24 states, "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." Marriage is more than a legal arrangement; it is a union in which two people share their lives under God's guidance.

Scripture teaches that marriage is built on love, faithfulness, and mutual commitment. Husbands are instructed to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it (Ephesians 5:25). This love is sacrificial, patient, and selfless. Wives are encouraged to respect and support their husbands (Ephesians 5:22-24, 33). These responsibilities are not about superiority or inferiority but about serving one another in harmony and honouring God's design.

The Bible also emphasises marriage's permanence. Jesus referred to God's original purpose when He said, "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" (Matthew 19:6). Marriage is intended as a lifelong covenant marked by loyalty and perseverance through blessings and challenges.

Love is central to a healthy marriage. First Corinthians 13:4-7 describes love as patient, kind, humble, forgiving, and enduring. These qualities help a husband and wife navigate disagreements, overcome difficulties, and strengthen their relationship over time. A marriage grounded in biblical love seeks the other person's good rather than self-interest.

The Bible further teaches that marriage provides companionship and support. God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone" (Genesis 2:18). A husband and wife are meant to encourage, comfort, and help one another as they face life's responsibilities and opportunities together.

Marriage also pictures Christ's relationship with His church (Ephesians 5:31-32). Just as Christ loves, protects, and remains faithful to His people, husbands and wives are called to demonstrate similar faithfulness and devotion toward one another. This gives marriage a spiritual purpose that extends beyond personal happiness.

Ultimately, the Bible portrays marriage as a God-ordained union founded on love, commitment, respect, and faithfulness. When both husband and wife seek to honour God and put His principles into practice, marriage becomes a source of blessing, growth, companionship, and a testimony to His wisdom and grace.

Summary

God designed marriage for a man and a woman to love, help, and remain faithful to each other.

6 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report