In the Bible, marriage is defined as a sacred covenant between a man and a woman, intended by God for mutual support, love, and procreation, as seen in Genesis 2:24, which states, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” The Catholic Church emphasizes that this union is a sacrament, reflecting Christ’s relationship with the Church.
Scripture
18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”
19 Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name.
20 The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field.
21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh.
22 And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.
23 Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”
24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Biblical Definition of Marriage in Catholicism
The Catholic definition of marriage, deeply rooted in biblical teachings, emphasizes the sacramental nature of the union between a man and a woman, reflecting God’s divine plan for humanity. The foundational scripture, Genesis 2:24, outlines the covenantal aspect of marriage: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” This passage not only highlights the intimate bond between spouses but also signifies the establishment of a new family unit. In Mark 10:6-9, Jesus reaffirms this understanding by stating, “But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” This reiteration of the Genesis verse underscores the indissoluble and sacred nature of marriage.
Furthermore, marriage is viewed as a reflection of Christ’s covenant with the Church, as articulated in Ephesians 5:25-32. In this passage, Paul calls husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the Church, sacrificially and unconditionally. This analogy elevates the marital relationship to a spiritual plane, suggesting that husbands and wives are called to mirror God’s covenant love in their daily lives. The Catholic Church, thus, sees marriage as not only a personal commitment but also a public witness of faith, where spouses grow in love and holiness together, engaging in the divine purpose of creation and love. This understanding integrates both the physical and spiritual dimensions of matrimony, affirming that marriage is a ministry that embodies God’s love in the world.
In addition to the foundational scripture that supports the Catholic view of marriage, various passages throughout the New Testament offer insights that reaffirm the sanctity and commitment inherent in the marital relationship. For instance, the Book of Colossians emphasizes mutual love and respect within the context of marriage. In Colossians 3:18-19, Paul exhorts wives to submit to their husbands and husbands to love their wives, echoing the importance of reciprocal devotion and understanding. This dynamic illustrates the Church’s belief that marriage is not simply a social contract, but a sacred covenant characterized by self-giving and partnership, where both spouses contribute to each other’s growth and well-being.
Furthermore, the notion of marriage as a sacred covenant is also reinforced in the writings of the Old Testament, particularly in Malachi 2:14-16, where God expresses His distaste for divorce, highlighting the seriousness with which He views the marital bond. Here, marriage is depicted as a covenant before God, emphasizing fidelity and sanctity. The Catholic interpretation of these passages underscores the essential commitment required in marriage, pointing to a relationship that mirrors the unwavering loyalty and faithfulness of God’s love for His people. This holistic view of marriage invites couples to realize their union as a divine vocation, encouraging them to cultivate a deep, spiritual connection that reflects love, grace, and unmistakable partnership in their shared journey of faith.
The Sacramental Nature of Marriage
In Catholic teaching, marriage is viewed as a sacrament, a visible sign of God’s grace. This understanding is rooted in the belief that marriage is not merely a social contract but a divine covenant that reflects the relationship between Christ and the Church. This sacramental view emphasizes the sanctity of the marital bond, highlighting that it is a means through which couples can experience God’s love and grace in their lives. The commitment to love and support one another mirrors the unconditional love that God has for humanity.
The Call to Unity and Fidelity
The Catholic definition of marriage also emphasizes the call to unity and fidelity between spouses. This concept is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative, where marriage is portrayed as a partnership that requires mutual respect, trust, and loyalty. The idea of becoming “one flesh” signifies a profound union that transcends individual desires, urging couples to work together towards common goals and spiritual growth. This commitment to fidelity is not only a personal promise but also a reflection of God’s faithfulness to His people.
The Purpose of Procreation and Family Life
Another significant aspect of the Catholic understanding of marriage is its purpose in procreation and nurturing family life. The Bible presents marriage as the foundation for family, where couples are called to be open to the gift of children and to raise them in a loving and faith-filled environment. This aspect underscores the importance of family as a domestic church, where values, traditions, and faith are passed down through generations. The nurturing of children within the context of marriage is seen as a vital contribution to society and the Church, fulfilling God’s command to be fruitful and multiply.
How to Strengthen Your Faith and Live Righteously
Strengthening your faith and living righteously is a journey that requires both intention and action. Start by immersing yourself in Scripture; the Bible is not just a book, but a living guide that speaks to our hearts and minds. Set aside time each day for prayer and reflection, inviting God into your daily life and seeking His guidance in every decision. Surround yourself with a community of believers who can encourage and challenge you, as fellowship is vital for growth. Remember, living righteously isn’t about perfection but about progress—embracing grace when you stumble and striving to reflect Christ’s love in your actions. Engage in acts of service, as they not only bless others but also deepen your connection to God’s purpose for you. Ultimately, let your faith be a light that shines brightly in the world, drawing others to the hope and love found in Christ.
Bible References to Catholic Marriage Definition:
Matthew 19:3-9: 3 And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?”
4 He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female,
5 and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?
6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”
7 They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?”
8 He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.
9 And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”
Mark 10:6-9: 6 But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’
7 ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife,’
8 and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh.
9 What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.
Ephesians 5:22-33: 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.
24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,
30 because we are members of his body.
31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”
32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.
33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
1 Corinthians 7:1-16: 1 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”
2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.
3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband.
4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
6 Now as a concession, not a command, I say this.
7 I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.
8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am.
9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband.
11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.
12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.
13 If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him.
14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace.
16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
Colossians 3:18-19: 18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.
1 Peter 3:1-7: 3 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,
3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—
3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—
3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—
5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands,
6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
Hebrews 13:4: 4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.
Malachi 2:14-16: 2 Yet you say, “Why?” Because the Lord has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.
2 Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth.
16 “For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.”
Proverbs 18:22: 22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing
and obtains favor from the Lord.
Tobit 8:4-8: 4 And he took hold of her hand, and gave her to be wife to Tobias, saying, Behold, take her after the law of Moses, and lead her away to thy father. And he blessed them;
5 Then Raguel arose, and gave him Sara his wife, and half his goods, servants, and cattle, and money.
6 And now, O Lord, I am not taking this sister of mine because of lust, but with sincerity.
7 And now, O Lord, I am not taking this sister of mine because of lust, but with sincerity.
8 And now, O Lord, I am not taking this sister of mine because of lust, but with sincerity.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.