Marriage and Singleness
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Marriage

Marriage is a divinely instituted covenant between a man and a woman, designed for companionship, procreation, and mutual support. The foundation of marriage is established in the early chapters of Genesis, where God creates Eve as a suitable helper for Adam, declaring, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper" (Genesis 2:18). The union of Adam and Eve is described as becoming "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24), signifying the deep, intimate bond intended in marriage.

Throughout Scripture, marriage is upheld as a sacred institution. In the New Testament, Jesus reaffirms the sanctity of marriage, citing the Genesis account and emphasizing its permanence: "Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate" (Matthew 19:6). The Apostle Paul further elaborates on the roles within marriage, instructing husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church and wives to respect their husbands (Ephesians 5:22-33).

Marriage is also portrayed as a metaphor for the relationship between Christ and the Church. This profound mystery highlights the spiritual significance of the marital bond, as Paul writes, "This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church" (Ephesians 5:32).

Singleness

Singleness, like marriage, is a state of life that is addressed in Scripture with dignity and purpose. The Apostle Paul, himself unmarried, speaks positively of singleness, noting its advantages for undivided devotion to the Lord. In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul writes, "I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that" (1 Corinthians 7:7). He acknowledges singleness as a gift, allowing individuals to focus on serving God without the distractions of marital responsibilities.

Paul advises that singleness can be beneficial, especially in times of distress or persecution, as it allows for greater flexibility and dedication to ministry (1 Corinthians 7:26-35). However, he also recognizes that marriage is a legitimate and honorable choice, stating, "But if they cannot control themselves, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion" (1 Corinthians 7:9).

Both marriage and singleness are presented as valid and honorable states, each with its own set of challenges and opportunities for serving God. The Bible encourages individuals to consider their own calling and gifts when deciding between marriage and singleness, always prioritizing their relationship with the Lord and their ability to serve His purposes.
Subtopics

Biracial Marriage

Interracial Marriage

Marriage

Marriage After Death

Marriage After Divorce

Marriage and Divorce

Marriage and Finances

Marriage and Love

Marriage Covenant

Marriage in Heaven

Marriage Reconciliation

Marriage Relationship

Marriage Separation

Marriage Vows

Marriage: A Benediction Pronounced After

Marriage: A Covenant Relationship

Marriage: A Dowry Given to the Woman's Parents Before

Marriage: A Herald Preceded the Bridegroom

Marriage: Advised

Marriage: Betrothal a Quasi-Marriage

Marriage: Betrothal Made With the Spirit

Marriage: Bridal Ornaments

Marriage: Bridal Presents

Marriage: Celebrated for Seven Days

Marriage: Celebrated with Feasting

Marriage: Celebrated with Great Rejoicing

Marriage: Celibacy Deplored

Marriage: Ceremony Attested by Witnesses

Marriage: Christ's Union With his Church

Marriage: Consanguinous, Abraham and Sarah

Marriage: Consent of the Parties Necessary To

Marriage: Contracted at the Gate and Before Witnesses

Marriage: Contracted in Patriarchal Age With Near Relations

Marriage: Daughters Given In, As Rewards of Valor

Marriage: David Gave One Hundred Philistine Foreskins for a Wife

Marriage: Designed For: Increasing the Human Population

Marriage: Designed For: Preventing Fornication

Marriage: Designed For: Raising up Godly Seed

Marriage: Designed For: The Happiness of Man

Marriage: Divinely Instituted

Marriage: Early Introduction of Polygamy

Marriage: Elder Daughters Usually Given In, Before the Younger

Marriage: Expressed by Giving Daughters to Sons, and Sons to Daughters

Marriage: Expressed by Joining Together

Marriage: Expressed by Making Affinity

Marriage: Expressed by Taking to Wife

Marriage: Figurative

Marriage: Garments Provided for Guests At

Marriage: Given by Kings

Marriage: God's Union With the Jewish Nation

Marriage: Honorable for All

Marriage: Indissoluble During the Joint Lives of the Parties

Marriage: Infidelity of Those Contracted In, Punished As If Married

Marriage: Isaac and Rebekah

Marriage: Jacob and his Wives

Marriage: Jesus Present At

Marriage: Lawful in All

Marriage: Levirate (The Brother Required to Marry a Brother's Widow)

Marriage: Modes of Demanding Women In

Marriage: Not Binding After Death

Marriage: Nuptial Feasts

Marriage: Obligations Under, Inferior to Duty to God

Marriage: Often Contracted by Parents for Children

Marriage: Parables From

Marriage: Parents' Consent Requires in the Mosaic Law

Marriage: Parents Contract for Their Children: Abraham for Isaac

Marriage: Parents Contract for Their Children: Hagar Selects a Wife for Ishmael

Marriage: Parents Contract for Their Children: Laban Arranges for his Daughters' Marriage

Marriage: Parents Contract for Their Children: Samson Asks his Parents to Procure Him a Wife

Marriage: Parents Might Refuse to Give Their Children In

Marriage: Presents Given to Parents to Secure Their Favor

Marriage: Priest not to Contract, With Divorced or Improper Persons

Marriage: should be Only in the Lord

Marriage: should be With Consent of Parents

Marriage: The Bride: Adorned With Jewels For

Marriage: The Bride: Attended by Bridesmaids

Marriage: The Bride: Called to Forget Her Father's House

Marriage: The Bride: Given a Handmaid At

Marriage: The Bride: Gorgeously Apparelled

Marriage: The Bride: Received Presents Before

Marriage: The Bride: Stood on the Right of Bridegroom

Marriage: The Bridegroom: Adorned With Ornaments

Marriage: The Bridegroom: Attended by Many Friends

Marriage: The Bridegroom: Crowned With Garlands

Marriage: The Bridegroom: Presented With Gifts

Marriage: The Bridegroom: Rejoiced Over the Bride

Marriage: The Bridegroom: Returned With the Bride to his House at Night

Marriage: The Expectation of the Promised Seed of the Woman An

Marriage: The Groom Exempt One Year from Military Duty

Marriage: The High Priest not to Contract, With a Widow or a Divorced

Marriage: The Jews were Allowed Divorce From, Because of Hardness of Their

Marriage: The Jews: Betrothed Themselves some Time Before

Marriage: The Jews: Careful in Contracting for Their Children

Marriage: The Jews: Considered Being Debarred From, a Cause of Grief

Marriage: The Jews: Considered Being Debarred From, a Reproach

Marriage: The Jews: Contracted when Young

Marriage: The Jews: Exempted from Going to War Immediately After

Marriage: The Jews: Forbidden to Contract With Idolaters

Marriage: The Jews: Forbidden to Contract, With Their Near Relations

Marriage: The Jews: Obliged to Contract With a Brother's Wife Who Died Without

Marriage: The Jews: Often Contracted With Foreigners

Marriage: The Jews: Often Contracted, in Their own Tribe

Marriage: The Jews: Often Punished by Being Debarred From

Marriage: The Jews: Sometimes Guilty of Polygamy

Marriage: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

Marriage: Wedding Robes Adorned With Jewels

Marriage: Wives Among the Israelites Must be Israelites

Marriage: Wives Obtained by Kidnapping

Marriage: Wives Obtained by Purchase

Marriage: Wives Taken by Edict

Matrimony

Remarriage

Related Terms

Medicine (4 Occurrences)

Physician (6 Occurrences)

Remedy (6 Occurrences)

Virgin-daughter (3 Occurrences)

Indicate (5 Occurrences)

Indication (1 Occurrence)

Treat (53 Occurrences)

Remarking (4 Occurrences)

Extraordinary (11 Occurrences)

Earrings (14 Occurrences)

Doctor (5 Occurrences)

Minister (150 Occurrences)

Pergamos (1 Occurrence)

Prescribe (3 Occurrences)

Pergamum (2 Occurrences)

Blindness (7 Occurrences)

Begging (18 Occurrences)

Civil (4 Occurrences)

Amulet

Beggar (5 Occurrences)

Dress (38 Occurrences)

Beg (77 Occurrences)

Divorce (18 Occurrences)

Fetch (45 Occurrences)

Multiply (98 Occurrences)

Taste (46 Occurrences)

New (1850 Occurrences)

Marriage and Sexual Purity
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