Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5650 Human relationships  »  5729 one flesh

A sign and expression of the inseparable union between husband and wife. This is not only physical but emotional, mental and spiritual. It is also used to describe the union between Jesus Christ and the church.

One flesh describes the inseparable union between husband and wife

Genesis 2:22-24 See also 1 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 5:28-29,31

One flesh refers to sexual union which Scripture describes in various ways

To lie with

Genesis 4:1,17,25; Genesis 19:31-35; Genesis 29:21,23,30; 1 Samuel 1:19; 2 Samuel 11:11; Samuel 12:24; Samuel 16:21

To come together

Matthew 1:18; 1 Corinthians 7:5

To have union or unite with

1 Corinthians 6:15-16 See also Genesis 2:24; Matthew 1:25; Matthew 19:5 pp Mark 10:7; Ephesians 5:31

Natural relations

Romans 1:26-27

One flesh expresses an intimacy encouraged by God

Only within heterosexual marriage

Matthew 19:4-6 pp Mark 10:6-9 See also Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:24; Exodus 20:14 pp Deuteronomy 5:18; Leviticus 20:10; Matthew 5:27-28; 1 Corinthians 5:9-11; Corinthians 6:9; Corinthians 7:4

Intimate relations between members of the same sex are unnatural and wrong

Leviticus 18:22 See also Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9

One flesh describes the union between Jesus Christ and the church

Ephesians 5:31-32 See also Genesis 2:24; 1 Corinthians 6:16-17

See also

5229  bed
5708  marriage
5735  sexuality
6236  sexual sin
6754  union with Christ
6754  union with Christ
7020  church, the
7155  saints