Marriage

Marriage, as instituted by God, is a sacred covenant between a man and a woman. It is designed to reflect the relationship between Christ and the Church, as described in Ephesians 5:31-32: "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church." The union of marriage is intended to be lifelong and exclusive, emphasizing the commitment and fidelity between spouses.

The foundation of marriage is established in Genesis 2:24, where it is written, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." This passage underscores the leaving of one's family of origin to form a new, independent family unit, highlighting the importance of unity and partnership.

Marriage is also seen as a means of fulfilling God's command to "be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:28). It provides a stable environment for raising children and passing on faith and values to the next generation. The roles within marriage are often discussed in terms of mutual love and respect, with Ephesians 5:22-25 instructing wives to submit to their husbands as to the Lord, and husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.

Purity

Purity, particularly in the context of marriage, is a significant biblical principle. It encompasses both sexual purity and the purity of heart and mind. Sexual purity is emphasized throughout Scripture, with the call to abstain from sexual immorality being a recurring theme. In 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, believers are instructed: "It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: You should avoid sexual immorality; each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable."

Purity before marriage is also highlighted, with the expectation that individuals will remain chaste until entering the marriage covenant. Hebrews 13:4 states, "Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers." This verse underscores the sanctity of the marital relationship and the importance of maintaining purity within it.

Purity of heart and mind is equally important, as Jesus taught in Matthew 5:8, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." This purity is not merely about external actions but involves the inner thoughts and intentions. Believers are called to renew their minds and focus on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable (Philippians 4:8).

In the context of marriage, purity involves faithfulness to one's spouse and the avoidance of lustful thoughts and actions. Jesus expanded the understanding of adultery in Matthew 5:27-28, saying, "You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." This teaching emphasizes the importance of guarding one's heart and mind to maintain purity in marriage.

Overall, marriage and purity are deeply interconnected in the biblical narrative, with marriage serving as a context for expressing and maintaining purity, both physically and spiritually.