Marriage is a sacred union ordained by God between a man and a woman. The Bible provides valuable insights into God’s design for marriage and how spouses should relate to one another. Here is an overview of key biblical principles regarding marriage:
Marriage Was Instituted By God
The Bible teaches that marriage was established by God at creation, before the fall of man. God designed marriage and instituted it as a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:18-24). Marriage is meant to be an earthly representation of Christ’s relationship with the church (Ephesians 5:31-32). Therefore, marriage is not simply a human tradition or legal contract but a holy union ordained by God.
Marriage Is Meant to Be Permanent
According to Scripture, God intended marriage to be a lifelong, monogamous commitment. Jesus affirmed this in Matthew 19:4-6, quoting from Genesis 2:24 – “a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” He adds that what God has joined together, man must not separate. Although divorce may be permitted in certain circumstances due to human sinfulness, it was not part of God’s original design.
Marriage Involves Complete Intimacy
The Bible teaches that in marriage, a husband and wife are joined together and share a profound intimacy not experienced in any other human relationship. Genesis 2:24-25 indicates this intimacy involves openness, nakedness and unashamed vulnerability with one another. Marriage is designed to foster a unity of heart, mind, body and spirit between husband and wife.
Marriage Requires Mutual Sacrifice
According to Ephesians 5:22-33, both husbands and wives are called to sacrificially love one another in marriage, following Christ’s model of sacrificial love for the church. Wives are called to submit to their husbands as the church submits to Christ, and husbands must love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. The goal is unity, understanding and mutual service to one another.
Marriage Roles Reflect Christ and the Church
As mentioned earlier in Ephesians 5, marriage roles are meant to mirror Christ (represented by the husband) and the church (represented by the wife). Husbands are called to gently lead and sacrifice for their wives, as Christ leads and cares for the church. Wives are called to graciously submit to and respect their husbands, just as the church yields to Christ (1 Peter 3:1-7).
Marriage Is Meant for Companionship and Intimacy
From the beginning, God said it was not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18). Marriage meets the human need for intimate companionship, providing love, care, warmth, unity and friendship between spouses. It offers an environment for relational intimacy and growth unmatched in any other human bond (Song of Solomon; Proverbs 5:18-19).
Marriage Is Meant for Mutual Sexual Fulfillment
The Bible celebrates sexual intimacy within marriage. It is considered holy and beautiful in God’s eyes when experienced between husband and wife (Hebrews 13:4). Scripture paints sexual union as a way for spouses to express and reinforce their covenant commitment to one another (1 Corinthians 7:3-5). God designed marriage to meet the human need for sexual intimacy and pleasure.
Marriage Is Meant to Produce Godly Offspring
One of God’s purposes for marriage is to produce godly offspring (Malachi 2:15). Husbands and wives are privileged to share in God’s work of creation through birthing and raising children to know and follow God. Parents are responsible for raising children in the “training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).
Marriage Is a Refuge and Blessing from God
The Bible exalts marriage as a good gift from God, meant to benefit humans and bring glory to God (Proverbs 18:22; 1 Timothy 4:3-5). It is a refuge providing faithful companionship, relational intimacy, and housing security. Scripture describes a wife as “a gift from the Lord” that should be highly valued (Proverbs 19:14). Marriage and family are part of God’s common grace for mankind.
Marriage Is Meant to Point to Christ’s Relationship with the Church
As mentioned earlier, marriage between a man and woman is meant to illustrate Christ’s unconditional, covenant love for the church as his beloved bride (Ephesians 5:31-32). Human marriage is meant to give the world a glimpse of the greatest spiritual marriage of all time – between Jesus Christ and his people for eternity. The unity and love shared in marriage points to the perfect love of Christ.
Marriage Requires God’s Help to Thrive
Because of human imperfection, marriages struggle with communication issues, conflict, unmet expectations and sin. Scripture exhorts husbands and wives to diligently guard their marriages against sin and selfishness that can damage intimacy (Proverbs 4:23; 1 Corinthians 7:5). Couples need God’s wisdom, grace and strength for a marriage to flourish and fulfill God’s purposes.
Marriage Should Be Honored by All
Hebrews 13:4 says to treat marriage with honor among all and keep it undefiled. Even those unmarried should value the institution of marriage established by God and support others’ marriages. Marriage should be treasured and protected because it profoundly impacts individuals, families, and societies when flourishing according to God’s design.
God Desires Oneness and Intimacy For All Marriages
In John 17, Jesus prays that Christian husbands and wives would experience the same oneness, intimacy and unity that exists between the Father, Son and Spirit. God’s deepest desire is for marriages everywhere to be characterized by selfless, covenant love that reflects the mutual delight, honor and intimacy shared within the Trinity. As husbands and wives yield to God’s Spirit, they can increasingly grow in relational unity.
Marriage Exists to Glorify God
The ultimate purpose for marriage is to glorify God and reveal His character to the world. As husbands sacrificially love their wives and wives lovingly submit to their husbands, they display the Gospel through their relationship. Their Christ-centered marriage points people to the selfless love of Jesus. God is honored when marriage reflects His eternal, spiritual marriage with His beloved church.
In summary, the Bible provides rich insights into God’s beautiful design for marriage. It is meant to be a lifelong covenant that provides companionship, sexual intimacy, partnership in serving God’s purposes and illustrates Christ’s relationship with the church. Scripture gives guidance to husbands and wives for pursuing oneness and godly love in marriage. God desires every marriage to be a living reflection of the Gospel.
