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 parallel Mark 10:6 See also Genesis 1:27; 1 Corinthians 11:11–12 Man and woman are not independent of each other.
Jesus answered, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’
It is to provide companionship
Genesis 2:18 See also Genesis 2:20–22, Genesis 3:12; Proverbs 31:10–12
The LORD God also said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper.”
It is to be a committed, exclusive relationship
Genesis 2:23–24 See also Matthew 19:5 parallel Mark 10:7–8; 1 Corinthians 7:2; Ephesians 5:31
And the man said: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for out of man she was taken.” For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
It is a lifelong partnership
Matthew 19:6 parallel Mark 10:9 See also Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:39
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”
It is the intended context for raising children
Malachi 2:15 See also 1 Corinthians 7:14
Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.
It will not exist in the life to come
Matthew 22:30 parallels Mark 12:25, 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
Yet you ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have broken faith, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.
Sex and marriage
Sex belongs within marriage
1 Corinthians 7:9 See also Genesis 29:21EXO Genesis 22:16–17; Deuteronomy 22:28–29 Deuteronomy 22:13–21 A woman was expected to be a virgin when she married.
But if they cannot control themselves, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
The sexual relationship is exclusive
Song of Solomon 2:16 See also Deuteronomy 22:22–24 Marital unfaithfulness is condemned; Proverbs 5:15–19; 1 Corinthians 6:16, 1 Corinthians 7:3–5
My beloved is mine and I am his; he pastures his flock among the lilies.
Love and submission in marriage
Falling in love prior to marriage
Genesis 29:20 See also Genesis 34:3–4; 1 Samuel 18:20
So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, yet it seemed but a few days because of his love for her.
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, Ephesians 5:33; Colossians 3:19
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her
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
To the woman He said: “I will sharply increase your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 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. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
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
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. Now to the unmarried and widows I say this: It is good for them to remain unmarried, as I am.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.