How does Matthew 19:6 emphasize the permanence of marriage in God's design? Opening the Text “ ‘So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.’ ” (Matthew 19:6) Key Phrase Breakdown • “No longer two, but one flesh” – a literal, divinely created unity, not a metaphor • “What God has joined together” – marriage originates in God’s sovereign act, not merely human decision • “Let man not separate” – an explicit prohibition against human dissolution God as the Author of Marriage • Genesis 2:24 first reveals marriage as God’s design: “a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” • Jesus quotes this Genesis text (Matthew 19:5) to affirm that the Creator’s original blueprint still stands unchanged. • Because God Himself joins the couple, to break the bond is to defy His work. One Flesh Reality • “One flesh” describes an ontological change—two distinct persons now form a single, new entity. • Paul reaffirms this in Ephesians 5:31, teaching that it reflects Christ’s indivisible union with the Church. • Severing this bond attacks both the individuals and the divine picture their union represents. “Let Man Not Separate” – The Command • Direct imperative: humans lack authority to undo what God has done. • Mark 10:9 restates the same charge, underscoring its importance in Jesus’ teaching. • 1 Corinthians 7:10–11 echoes the command: “A wife must not separate from her husband… a husband must not divorce his wife.” Supporting Passages on Permanence • Malachi 2:14–16 – God calls marriage “a covenant” and declares, “I hate divorce.” • Romans 7:2 – the marital bond remains “as long as he lives.” • Hebrews 13:4 – “Marriage should be honored by all.” Implications for Today • View marriage as a covenantal act of God, not a contract of convenience. • Cultivate unity: protect emotional, spiritual, and physical oneness. • Reject casual attitudes toward divorce; pursue reconciliation, forgiveness, and biblical counsel. • Reflect Christ’s steadfast love by steadfast commitment to the spouse. |
    |