Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5709 marriage, purpose of

5709 marriage, purpose of

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5650 Human relationships » 5708 marriage » 5709 marriage, purpose of

Marriage is part of God's intention for humanity from creation and forms the basis for the family which is the primary unit of society. Where marriage flourishes it blesses both the couple and the wider community.

Marriage is part of God's plan for the human race

From creation

Matthew 19:4 pp Mark 10:6 See also Genesis 1:27; 1 Corinthians 11:11-12 Man and woman are not independent of each other.

It is to provide companionship

Genesis 2:18 See also Genesis 2:20-22; Genesis 3:12; Proverbs 31:10-12

It is to be a committed, exclusive relationship

Genesis 2:23-24 See also Matthew 19:5 pp Mark 10:7-8; 1 Corinthians 7:2; Ephesians 5:31

It is a lifelong partnership

Matthew 19:6 pp Mark 10:9 See also Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:39

It is the intended context for raising children

Malachi 2:15 See also 1 Corinthians 7:14

It will not exist in the life to come

Matthew 22:30 pp Mark 12:25 pp Luke 20:34-35; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31

Marriage as a covenant relationship

Malachi 2:14 See also Proverbs 2:17; Ezekiel 16:8

Sex and marriage

Sex belongs within marriage

1 Corinthians 7:9 See also Genesis 29:21

Men who violated virgins were expected to marry them:

Exodus 22:16-17; Deuteronomy 22:28-29 Deuteronomy 22:13-21 A woman was expected to be a virgin when she married.

The sexual relationship is exclusive

Songs 2:16 See also Deuteronomy 22:22-24 Marital unfaithfulness is condemned; Proverbs 5:15-19; 1 Corinthians 6:16; Corinthians 7:3-5

Love and submission in marriage

Falling in love prior to marriage

Genesis 29:20 See also Genesis 34:3-4; 1 Samuel 18:20

Husbands are to love their wives

Ephesians 5:25 See also Genesis 24:67; 1 Samuel 1:5; Ecclesiastes 9:9; Hosea 3:1; Ephesians 5:28-29,33; Colossians 3:19

Wives are to submit to their husbands

Genesis 3:16; Ephesians 5:22-24 See also Colossians 3:18; Titus 2:4-5; 1 Peter 3:1-6

Celibacy as a calling from God

1 Corinthians 7:7-8 See also Jeremiah 16:2; Matthew 19:10-12; 1 Corinthians 7:36-38 Whilst Paul commends the unmarried state, for those not so called it is no sin to marry; 1 Timothy 5:11-14