In the Bible, marriage is defined as a sacred covenant between a man and a woman, established by God, intended for companionship, sexual intimacy, and procreation (Genesis 2:24). It reflects the relationship between Christ and the Church, emphasizing love, commitment, and mutual respect (Ephesians 5:25-33).
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 Explained
Understanding the Bible’s definition of marriage transcends mere legal or social constructs; it is rooted deeply in the theological and spiritual principles established in Scripture. In Genesis 2:24, marriage is portrayed not just as a contract but as a divine covenant, where a man and woman leave their familial ties to forge a new union that embodies intimacy and companionship. This foundational scripture signifies that marriage is meant to fulfill the human desire for connection and partnership, while also signifying the purposeful act of procreation within a stable environment. It conveys that marriage is part of God’s design for humanity, where couples are called to support and flourish together within the divine parameters established by the Creator.
Moreover, the New Testament amplifies this understanding by comparing the marital relationship to the relationship between Christ and the Church, as highlighted in Ephesians 5:25-33. Here, the call for husbands to love their wives sacrificially, much like Christ loved the Church, underscores the ideals of mutual respect and selfless commitment that should pervade marital relationships. This analogy invites married couples to view their union not only in terms of personal fulfillment but also as a reflection of God’s covenantal love for humanity. Through this lens, marriage becomes a witness to the world of divine love and grace, making it imperative for those in marital relationships to embody these virtues in a manner that honors God and nurtures their bond. Thus, the biblical definition of marriage encompasses far more than a social contract—it is a profound, sacred relationship intended to mirror the divine love and faithfulness of God Himself.
The Greek word often associated with the concept of marriage in the New Testament is “γάμος” (gamos). This term is derived from the root verb “γαμέω” (gameo), which means “to marry” or “to take a wife.” The etymology of “gamos” can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root *gʰem-, which means “to marry” or “to take.” This connection highlights the cultural significance of marriage as a foundational social institution across various ancient societies.
Scholars such as William L. Lane and John Stott have explored the implications of “gamos” in the context of biblical teachings. Lane, in his commentary on the Gospel of Mark, emphasizes that the term encompasses not only the act of marriage but also the covenantal relationship that it signifies. Stott, in his writings on Christian marriage, points out that “gamos” reflects a deeper spiritual union that mirrors the relationship between Christ and the Church. This understanding of marriage as a sacred covenant is pivotal in Christian theology, underscoring the commitment and fidelity expected within the marital relationship. Thus, “gamos” serves as a linguistic and theological anchor for discussions surrounding the nature and purpose of marriage in biblical texts.
The Covenant Nature of Marriage
Understanding marriage in the Bible emphasizes its covenantal aspect, which signifies a sacred and binding agreement between partners. This perspective highlights that marriage is not merely a social contract or a legal arrangement but a spiritual commitment that reflects the relationship between God and His people. This covenantal view encourages couples to approach their union with a sense of responsibility, fidelity, and a commitment to mutual growth and support.
The Role of Love and Sacrifice
The biblical definition of marriage also underscores the importance of love and sacrifice. It portrays marriage as a relationship where partners are called to love one another selflessly, mirroring the love that God has for humanity. This understanding encourages spouses to prioritize each other’s needs and well-being, fostering an environment of compassion, respect, and service. It challenges individuals to look beyond their own desires and to cultivate a partnership rooted in genuine care and commitment.
The Purpose of Marriage in Community
Another broader meaning of marriage in the Bible is its role within the community and society at large. Marriage is often seen as a foundational institution that contributes to the stability and health of families and communities. This understanding encourages couples to view their marriage not just as a private affair but as a partnership that has implications for their families, churches, and society. It calls for a sense of responsibility to model healthy relationships and to contribute positively to the community through their union.
How to Cultivate a Deeper Christian Faith and Community
Cultivating a deeper Christian faith and a vibrant community begins with intentionality in your daily life. Start by immersing yourself in Scripture, allowing its truths to shape your thoughts and actions; consider setting aside time each day for prayer and reflection, inviting God into your routine. Engage with your local church not just as a place of worship, but as a family where you can share your joys and struggles. Look for opportunities to serve others, whether through volunteering or simply being present for someone in need, as these acts of love can deepen your faith and strengthen your bonds with fellow believers. Remember, faith is not a solitary journey; it flourishes in the context of relationships, so seek out fellowship with others who inspire you and challenge you to grow. As you nurture these connections, you’ll find that your faith becomes more vibrant and your community more supportive, creating a beautiful tapestry of shared belief and love.
Bible References to the Definition of Marriage:
Matthew 19:4-6: 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.”
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.
Proverbs 18:22: 22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing
and obtains favor from the Lord.
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.
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.”
1 Timothy 3:2-5: 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive,
5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?
Titus 2:3-5: 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good,
4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,
5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.
Song of Solomon 8:6-7: 6 Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord.
7 Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house, he would be utterly despised.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12: 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.
10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!
11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?
12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
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.