What the Bible says about Christian Marriage & Biblical Matrimony
“A man should leave his father and mother, and be forever united to his wife.” Marriage was instituted in Paradise when man was in innocence (Gen. 2:18-24). Here we have the Christian marriage service its original charter, which was confirmed by our Lord, as the basis on which all regulations are to be framed for marriage (Matt. 19:4, 5).
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Christian Marriage is a permanent, committed relationship Matthew 19:5-6, TLB. “And that a man will leave his father and mother, and be forever united to his wife. The two shall become one – no longer two, but one in matrimony! And no man may divorce what God has joined together’.
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What importance is given to Christian marriage?
“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” Hebrews 13:4.
Our Lord corrected many false notions then existing on the subject of marriage (Matt. 22:23-30), and placed it as a divine institution on the highest grounds. The apostles state clearly and enforce the nuptial duties of husband and wife (Eph. 5:22-33; Col. 3:18, 19; 1 Pet. 3:1-7).
Marriage is said to be “honorable” (Heb. 13:4), and the prohibition of it is noted as one of the marks of degenerate times (1 Tim. 4:3). It is is used to represent the union between God and his people (Isa. 54:5; Jer. 3:1-14; Hos. 2:9, 20). In the New Testament it represents the love of Christ to his saints (Eph. 5:25-27). The Church of the redeemed is the “Bride, the Lamb’s wife” (Rev. 19:7-9). Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. Hebrews 13:4
Is there marriage in heaven?
Those who are considered worthy of taking part in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage (Luke 20:35). At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. matthew 22:30
Marriage inevitably divides attention between God and spouse! 1 Corinthians 7:34
As with an unmarried man, an unmarried woman is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman (or man) is concerned about the affairs of this world – how he/she can please her partner. Note that the Bible is not saying being concerned for husband or wife is bad, just that your time will be shared – how else could you care for your spouse!
if only one partner is unbelieving?
If a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.1 Corinthians 7:14. Corinthians 7:13 How do you know, husbands and wives, whether you will save your partners?1 Corinthians 7:16
What are marital duties for men and women?
To the men . .The husband should fulfil his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.(1 Corinthians 7:3). Since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.(1 Corinthians 7:2).So, if she marries another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and not an adulteress, even though she marries another man. The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”Matthew 19:10 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Ephesians 5:33.
By law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage.Romans 7:2 The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife.1 Corinthians 7:4
Christian Marriage requires submission of both partners!
“You wives must submit to your husbands’ leadership in the same way you submit to the Lord. For a husband is in charge of his wife in the same way Christ is in charge of His body the church. (He gave His very life to take care of it and be its Savior!) So you wives must willingly obey your husbands in everything, just as the church obeys Christ.” Ephesians 5:22-24, TLB. A wife must not separate from her husband. (1 Corinthians 7:10) For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Ephesians 5:23 . Ephesians 5:21, NIV. “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
How should husbands relate to their wives?Ephesians 5:25-28, TLB.
“And you husbands, show the same kind of love to your wives as Christ showed to the church when He died for her. . . That’s how husbands should treat their wives, loving them as parts of themselves. For since a man and his wife are one, a man is really doing himself a favor and loving himself when he loves his wife!
Husbands should honour their wives. Peter 3:7, TLB.
“You husbands must be careful of your wives, being thoughtful of their needs and honoring them as the weaker sex. Remember that you and your wife are partners in receiving God’s blessings, and if you don’t treat her as you should, your prayers will not get ready answers.”
God promised a virgin for Christ!
I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. 2 Corinthians 11:2
The seventh and the tenth commandments guard marriage. Exodus 20:14, 17, NIV. “You shall not commit adultery.” And “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.”
settle misunderstanding fast! Ephesians 4:26, TLB.
“If you are angry, don’t sin by nursing your grudge. Don’t let the sun go down with you still angry -get over it quickly.”
the Bible forbids physical or verbal spouse abuse Colossians 3:19, NIV. “Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.”
Keep the relationship growing in unity and understanding. Ephesians 4:2-3, TLB. “Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Be led together by the Holy Spirit to be at peace with one another.”
is there an acceptable reason for ending a marriage? Matthew 5:32, NIV. “But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to commit adultery, and anyone who marries a woman so divorced commits adultery.”
how long is marriage intended to last?
“By law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.1 Corinthians 7:39
who should we marry? II Corinthians 6:14, RSV.
“Do not be mismated with unbelievers. For what partnership have righteousness and iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with dark?”
what about romance?Proverbs 5:18-19, TLB
“Let your manhood be a blessing; rejoice in the wife of your youth. Let her charms and tender embrace satisfy you. Let her love alone fill you with delight.”
Was one partner Gods’ original plan?
It is evident that monogamy (1 wife) was the original law of marriage (Matt. 19:5; 1 Cor. 6:16). This law was violated in after times, when corrupt usages began to be introduced (Gen. 4:19; 6:2). We meet with the prevalence of polygamy (more than 1 wife) and concubinage in the patriarchal age (Gen. 16:1-4; 22:21-24; 28:8, 9; 29:23-30). Polygamy was acknowledged in the Mosaic law and made the basis of legislation, and continued to be practiced all down through the period of Jewish history to the Captivity, after which there is no instance of it on record. It seems to have been the practice from the beginning for fathers to select wives for their sons (Gen. 24:3; 38:6). Sometimes also proposals were initiated by the father of the maiden (Ex. 2:21). The brothers of the maiden were also sometimes consulted (Gen. 24:51; 34:11), but her own consent was not required. The young man had to give a price to the father of the maiden (31:15; 34:12; Ex. 22:16, 17; 1 Sam. 18:23, 25; Ruth 4:10; Hos. 3:2) On these patriarchal customs the Mosaic law made no change. In the pre-Mosaic times, when the proposals were accepted and the marriage price given, the bridegroom could come at once and take away his bride to his own house (Gen. 24:63-67). But in general the marriage was celebrated by a feast in the house of the bride’s parents, to which all friends were invited (29:22, 27); and on the day of the marriage the bride, concealed under a thick veil, was conducted to her future husband’s home.
Dictionary definition of marriage
marriage
1. The act of marrying, or the state of being married; legal union of a man and a woman for life, as husband and wife; wedlock; matrimony. Marriage is honorable in all. -Hob. xiii.
2. The marriage vow or contract. [Obs.] -Choicer.
3. A feast made on the occasion of a marriage. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king which made a marriage for his son. -Mat. Xxii. 2.
4. Any intimate or close union. Marriage brokage. (a) The business of bringing about marriages. (b) The payment made or demanded for the procurement of a marriage. Marriage favors, knots of white ribbons, or bunches of white flowers, worn at weddings. Marriage settlement (Law), a settlement of property in view, and in consideration, of marriage. Syn: Matrimony; wedlock; wedding; nuptials. Usage: Marriage, Matrimony, Wedlock. Marriage is properly the act which unites the two parties, and matrimony the state into which they enter. Marriage is, however, often used for the state as well as the act. Wedlock is the old Anglo-Saxon term for matrimony. Christian marriage advice source: Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © MICRA, Inc.
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