How does Romans 7:3 illustrate the sanctity of marriage in God's eyes? Scripture Text “So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is still alive, she will be called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law and is not an adulteress, even if she marries another man.” (Romans 7:3) Key Observations - Paul assumes marriage is a lifelong, binding covenant that only death can dissolve. - Joining oneself to another while the spouse lives is called adultery—showing God’s moral standard for marital fidelity. - Death alone grants freedom to remarry, underscoring both the permanence and the exclusivity of the marriage bond. Marriage as a Binding Covenant - Covenant language echoes Genesis 2:24: “A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” - Covenants in Scripture are solemn, witnessed by God, and not lightly broken (cf. Malachi 2:14). - Because marriage mirrors God’s unbreakable promises, breaking that bond through adultery dishonors His character. Implications for Sanctity of Marriage - Lifelong commitment: Vows are meant “until death do us part,” not until convenience runs out. - Exclusive union: Any sexual or emotional bond outside the marriage covenant violates God’s design. - Moral accountability: God labels the act “adultery,” stressing personal responsibility for marital faithfulness. - Freedom to remarry only comes when the covenant is ended by death, not by personal preference. Supporting Passages - Matthew 19:6: “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let man not separate.” - Malachi 2:16: “For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, “and him who covers his garment with violence.” - 1 Corinthians 7:39: “A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry whom she wishes, only in the Lord.” - Hebrews 13:4: “Marriage must be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.” Living Out the Truth Today - Safeguard your marriage with transparency, prayer, and mutual accountability. - Treat your vows as a covenant before God, not merely a social contract. - Uphold and honor the marriages of others; encourage reconciliation and fidelity. - Teach the next generation the seriousness of marital promises, rooted in God’s unchanging Word. |
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