5709 marriage, purpose of

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 Mt 19:4 pp Mk 10:6 See also Ge 1:27; 1Co 11:11-12 Man and woman are not independent of each other.

It is to provide companionship Ge 2:18 See also Ge 2:20-22; Ge 3:12; Pr 31:10-12

It is to be a committed, exclusive relationship Ge 2:23-24 See also Mt 19:5 pp Mk 10:7-8; 1Co 7:2; Eph 5:31

It is a lifelong partnership Mt 19:6 pp Mk 10:9 See also Ro 7:2; 1Co 7:39

It is the intended context for raising children Mal 2:15 See also 1Co 7:14

It will not exist in the life to come Mt 22:30 pp Mk 12:25 pp Lk 20:34-35; 1Co 7:29-31

Marriage as a covenant relationship

Mal 2:14 See also Pr 2:17; Eze 16:8

Sex and marriage

Sex belongs within marriage 1Co 7:9 See also Ge 29:21 Men who violated virgins were expected to marry them: Ex 22:16-17; Dt 22:28-29
Dt 22:13-21 A woman was expected to be a virgin when she married.

The sexual relationship is exclusive SS 2:16 See also Dt 22:22-24 Marital unfaithfulness is condemned; Pr 5:15-19; 1Co 6:16; 1Co 7:3-5

Love and submission in marriage

Falling in love prior to marriage Ge 29:20 See also Ge 34:3-4; 1Sa 18:20

Husbands are to love their wives Eph 5:25 See also Ge 24:67; 1Sa 1:5; Ecc 9:9; Hos 3:1; Eph 5:28-29,33; Col 3:19

Wives are to submit to their husbands Ge 3:16; Eph 5:22-24 See also Col 3:18; Tit 2:4-5; 1Pe 3:1-6

Celibacy as a calling from God

1Co 7:7-8 See also Jer 16:2; Mt 19:10-12; 1Co 7:36-38 Whilst Paul commends the unmarried state, for those not so called it is no sin to marry; 1Ti 5:11-14

See also