What is the meaning of Hebrews 13:4? Marriage should be honored by all “Marriage should be honored by all…” (Hebrews 13:4a) • God Himself instituted marriage in Genesis 2:24, where “a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” • Jesus reaffirmed this design in Matthew 19:4–6, adding, “What God has joined together, let man not separate.” • Because marriage pictures Christ’s relationship with His church (Ephesians 5:31–32), every believer—married or single—treats it with reverence. • Honoring marriage means: – speaking of it with respect, not cynicism – supporting couples in their vows – teaching children the beauty of covenant commitment – refusing to normalize divorce or cohabitation as equal alternatives and the marriage bed kept undefiled “…and the marriage bed kept undefiled…” (Hebrews 13:4b) • God designed sexual intimacy exclusively for husband and wife (Proverbs 5:18–19; 1 Corinthians 7:2–5). • “Flee from sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:18–20) applies inside as well as outside marriage—pornography, emotional affairs, and any form of exploitation defile the bed. • 1 Thessalonians 4:3–5 underscores the call to “holiness and honor” rather than “passionate lust.” • Practical safeguards: – cultivate open communication about temptations – set wise boundaries with media and friendships – prioritize mutual affection and time together – seek counsel quickly when trust is threatened for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers “…for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.” (Hebrews 13:4c) • God’s judgment is certain and personal: “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10). • Sexual sin is singled out because it uniquely profanes the “one flesh” covenant (Malachi 2:14–16; 1 Corinthians 6:15–16). • Scripture warns that “the sexually immoral… will not inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9–10) and that “the sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars” face the “lake that burns with fire” (Revelation 21:8). • Yet grace is available: “Such were some of you, but you were washed… in the name of the Lord Jesus” (1 Corinthians 6:11). Repentance restores fellowship and purity. summary Hebrews 13:4 calls every believer to treasure God’s gift of marriage, protect the purity of marital intimacy, and remember the Lord’s righteous judgment. Honoring marriage blesses families, strengthens the church, and shines a countercultural witness to a world desperate for steadfast love. |
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