What is the biblical view on marriage?

Definition and Foundation

Marriage, as presented in Scripture, is a covenant relationship that unites a man and a woman into a lifelong bond of fidelity, mutual support, and shared purpose (Genesis 2:24). This union is portrayed as originating with the Creator’s design “in the beginning,” anchoring marriage as a sacred institution, not a mere human convention. Ancient manuscript evidence, including fragments among the Dead Sea Scrolls, corroborates the consistent transmission of Hebrew and Greek texts portraying this institution as instituted by God from the earliest recorded history. Repeatedly in Scripture, marriage is depicted as both a real, life-encompassing partnership and a picture of a spiritual covenant imbued with moral and symbolic significance (Ephesians 5:22–33).

Origin and Purpose in the Old Testament

When the Book of Genesis describes the creation of humanity, it establishes marriage as foundational. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). This demonstrates several key points:

1. It is God-ordained from the time of creation.

2. It involves a volitional uniting into “one flesh,” symbolizing both physical and lifelong commitment.

3. It is intended for companionship (Genesis 2:18, where God says, “It is not good for the man to be alone”).

Though certain patriarchs practiced polygamy (e.g., Genesis 16; Genesis 29), Scripture chronicles the ensuing family strife and relational dysfunctions. Such narratives, consistently preserved in manuscripts dated as early as the Qumran community, show that even in Old Testament times, polygamy was not reflected as ideal but as a departure from the original one-man, one-woman pattern. Archaeological and textual studies of ancient Near Eastern societies reveal wide-ranging marital customs, but the biblical text—attested by multiple manuscript sources—consistently grounds marriage in a covenant established by God for blessing and unity.

Teachings of Jesus on Marriage

Jesus reaffirmed the Genesis foundation for marriage, explicitly citing “male and female” at creation (Matthew 19:4). He underscored the original design, saying: “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate” (Matthew 19:6). This teaching upholds:

• Lifelong fidelity: Marriage is meant to be enduring and not entered into lightly.

• The exclusivity of the marital bond: Reflecting a unique, permanent union.

• The spiritual dimension: God is directly involved in uniting a husband and wife.

Furthermore, when pressed about divorce, Jesus demonstrated that while Moses permitted it due to the “hardness of hearts,” it was never the ideal. These passages, preserved with remarkable consistency across Greek manuscript traditions, highlight that God’s original creation intent stands as the guiding principle.

Apostolic Instructions and the Early Church

New Testament teachings from the apostolic era further detail the roles and responsibilities within a marriage relationship. The Apostle Paul’s letters, especially 1 Corinthians 7 and Ephesians 5, provide clarity on the mutual commitment spouses have:

1. Mutual Devotion: “The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband” (1 Corinthians 7:3).

2. Exclusive Partnership: Recognizing the importance of faithfulness and the principle that each spouse’s body is meant for the other (1 Corinthians 7:4).

3. Selfless Love: Husbands are exhorted to “love your wives, just as Christ loved the church” (Ephesians 5:25). Paul draws on the “mystery” of marriage as an analogy for Christ’s covenant with believers.

4. Respect and Honor: Wives are encouraged to show respect, reflecting the harmonious model of submission to one another and reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:22–24, 33).

The earliest Greek manuscripts of 1 Corinthians and Ephesians confirm these teachings without deviation, further attesting to the cohesive voice of Scripture on marriage.

Symbolic Representation: Christ and His Church

Throughout Scripture, marriage is used to illustrate God’s covenantal relationship with His people. For example, in the Old Testament, the prophets often use marital imagery to depict Israel’s relationship with Yahweh—where idolatry is likened to marital unfaithfulness (Hosea 2:19–20). In the New Testament, Paul compares Christ and the church to the loving, sacrificial union between a husband and wife (Ephesians 5:31–32). This symbolism conveys:

• The depth of relational intimacy God desires with believers.

• The sacrificial, unwavering commitment demonstrated by Christ to His people.

• The call for believers to remain faithful, reflecting the moral and spiritual integrity typified in marriage.

Such symbolic parallels have been consistently noted by church fathers and modern biblical scholars alike, supported by manuscript and historical analyses demonstrating no contradiction within Scripture’s portrayal of this covenant principle.

Addressing Modern Concerns

Many wonder about how biblical teaching on marriage speaks to present-day ethical, cultural, and societal shifts. At every point, Scripture reinforces the belief that this institutional bond transcends cultural variables because it is rooted in the order of creation and the divine purpose for humanity’s flourishing.

1. Lifelong Commitment and Stability: Modern social science often points to stable, committed marriage as benefiting emotional and psychological health for spouses and children. These findings align with biblical instructions advocating steadfastness, love, and mutual care.

2. Gender Complementarity: While some contemporary viewpoints question traditional distinctions, the biblical texts—verified through centuries of manuscript evidence—speak consistently of marriage as uniting man and woman for mutual support and complementarity (Mark 10:6–9).

3. Sanctity of Marital Vows: The covenantal aspect, emphasizing a promise before God, resonates with studies showing that couples who hold strong commitments to their vows often experience healthier marriages.

Practical Guidance and Application

Scripture offers practical counsel that has guided believers across millennia:

• Communication and Understanding (James 1:19): “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” Marital dynamics benefit from empathetic listening and patience.

• Forgiveness and Reconciliation (Colossians 3:13): “Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against one another.” This principle undergirds conflict resolution within marriage.

• Spiritual Partnership: Shared devotion, prayer, and worship strengthen the marital bond, reflecting the principle that both husband and wife participate in a unified pursuit of God’s will (1 Peter 3:7).

Historical evidence from early Christian communities shows that these marital principles, rooted in Scripture, contributed to stable family structures and communal integrity. These congregations’ preserved writings and artifacts—such as the letters of early church leaders and inscriptions discovered in archaeological sites—highlight how the Christian view of marriage stood distinct in the ancient world.

Conclusion

From Genesis onward, the consistent message of Scripture—recorded and preserved through reliable manuscript traditions and underscored by the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles—presents marriage as a sacred, God-ordained covenant between one man and one woman. It is designed to reflect God’s loving nature, provide stability and companionship, and illustrate a profound spiritual reality of covenantal faithfulness.

This view of marriage remains central to Scriptural teaching, with a continuity demonstrable across millennia of manuscript preservation, theological commentary, and real-life testimonies. Grounded in divine intent and sustained by spiritual principles, the biblical understanding of marriage calls individuals to commit to a lifelong, faithful, loving relationship that ultimately points to the Creator’s covenant love for His people.