Topical Bible: Children and Marriage

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Children in Marriage:

In the biblical context, children are considered a blessing and a heritage from the Lord. Psalm 127:3-5 states, "Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them." This passage underscores the value and importance of children within the family unit, portraying them as a source of strength and blessing.

The role of children in marriage is also seen in the context of God's command to "be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:28). This directive, given to Adam and Eve, establishes procreation as a fundamental aspect of marriage. Children are viewed as a continuation of the family line and a means of fulfilling God's covenant promises, as seen in the numerous genealogies throughout Scripture.

Parental Responsibilities:

The Bible places significant emphasis on the responsibilities of parents towards their children. Ephesians 6:4 instructs, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." This verse highlights the importance of nurturing children in a godly manner, emphasizing discipline and spiritual education.

Similarly, Proverbs 22:6 advises, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." This proverb underscores the long-term impact of a child's upbringing and the responsibility of parents to guide their children in righteousness.

Marriage as a Covenant:

Marriage is depicted in the Bible as a sacred covenant between a man and a woman, instituted by God. Genesis 2:24 states, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." This union is designed to be lifelong and exclusive, reflecting the relationship between Christ and the Church as described in Ephesians 5:31-32 .

The covenantal nature of marriage is further emphasized in Malachi 2:14-15 , where God is described as a witness to the marriage covenant, and the purpose of this union is to produce "godly offspring." This passage highlights the divine intention for marriage to be a stable and nurturing environment for raising children.

The Role of Marriage in Society:

Marriage is seen as the foundational institution for society, providing stability and continuity. The family unit, consisting of a husband, wife, and children, is viewed as the primary context for socialization and moral development. The biblical model of marriage and family is intended to reflect God's order and design for human relationships.

In the New Testament, Jesus reaffirms the sanctity of marriage in Matthew 19:4-6 , where He states, "Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

Challenges and Encouragement:

While the Bible presents an ideal vision for marriage and family, it also acknowledges the challenges that can arise. The presence of sin in the world has affected all human relationships, including those within the family. However, Scripture offers encouragement and guidance for overcoming these challenges through faith, love, and obedience to God's Word.

Colossians 3:18-21 provides practical advice for family relationships: "Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged." These verses emphasize mutual respect, love, and responsibility within the family, fostering an environment where children can thrive and marriages can flourish.

Topical Bible Verses

Genesis 2:24
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall join to his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Topicalbible.org

2 Corinthians 6:14
Be you not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion has light with darkness?
Topicalbible.org

Genesis 1:27
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Topicalbible.org

Greek

1103. gnesios -- lawfully begotten, genuine
... [Originally, 1103 () referred to children born from a marriage -- properly,
"lawfully begotten, born in wedlock" (). It came to ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1103.htm - 7k

Library

Whether Children Born Out of True Marriage are Illegitimate?
... OF ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN (THREE ARTICLES) Whether children born out of
true marriage are illegitimate? Objection 1: It would seem ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether children born out of.htm

On Marriage.
... Democritus repudiates marriage and the procreation of children, on account of the
many annoyances thence arising, and abstractions from more necessary things. ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxiii on marriage.htm

Marriage not Abolished by the Commendation of virginity.
... Chapter I."Marriage Not Abolished by the Commendation of Virginity ... say the same as
to the assertion that from henceforth they should no longer beget children. ...
/.../chapter i marriage not abolished by.htm

Therefore the Good of Marriage Throughout all Nations and all Men ...
... Therefore that marriage takes place for the sake of begetting children, the Apostle
is a witness thus, "I will," says he, "that the younger women be married ...
/.../augustine/on the good of marriage/section 32 therefore the good.htm

Excuses Commonly Urged in Defence of Second Marriage their ...
... the world? And is it to be a reason for a man to repeat marriage, if from
his first (marriage) he have no children? And shall he ...
/.../tertullian/on exhortation to chastity/chapter xii excuses commonly urged in.htm

The Teaching of the Apostles in Opposition to Jewish and Gentile ...
... Others, again, of them do refuse certain meats, and say that marriage with the
procreation of children is evil, and the contrivance of the devil; and being ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec v the teaching of the.htm

For what Christian Men of Our Time Being Free from the Marriage ...
... was veiled in prophetic sacraments, even they who were such before marriage, yet
contracted marriage through the duty of begetting children, not overcome by ...
/.../augustine/on the good of marriage/section 15 for what christian.htm

Betar
... It was a custom, that when an infant male was born, they planted a cedar; when an
infant female, a pine; and, when the children contracted marriage, out of ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 52 betar.htm

The Marriage of Church Dignitaries.
... is attained in the administration of the sacraments, to make trial of a second marriage. ...
he says, "be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/22 the marriage of church.htm

By the Circumcision of Abraham, Marriage with Sisters Forbidden ...
... of the prophets, let us again point out how chastity succeeded to marriage with
one ... and chastity, sings on this wise, "Better it is to have no children, and to ...
/.../chapter iii by the circumcision of.htm