Definition and Context:
Common law marriage refers to a union between a man and a woman who live together and present themselves as a married couple without undergoing a formal ceremony or obtaining a marriage license. This type of marriage is recognized in some jurisdictions based on the couple's actions and mutual agreement rather than legal documentation.

Biblical Perspective:
The Bible does not explicitly mention common law marriage, as marriage customs during biblical times were culturally and legally distinct from modern practices. However, the Scriptures provide principles regarding marriage that can be applied to understand the biblical view of such unions.

Marriage as a Covenant:
The Bible consistently portrays marriage as a covenantal relationship instituted by God. In Genesis 2:24 , it is written, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." This passage underscores the divine intention for marriage to be a committed and exclusive union between a man and a woman.

Public Recognition and Commitment:
Throughout Scripture, marriage is depicted as a publicly recognized institution. For instance, the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11) was a public event attended by Jesus and His disciples, indicating the social acknowledgment of the marital union. The public nature of marriage serves to affirm the couple's commitment to each other and to the community.

Legal and Social Considerations:
While the Bible emphasizes the spiritual and covenantal aspects of marriage, it also acknowledges the importance of legal and social structures. Romans 13:1-2 states, "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God." This passage suggests that Christians are to respect and adhere to the legal frameworks established by their societies, including those governing marriage.

Moral and Ethical Implications:
From a biblical standpoint, the moral and ethical dimensions of marriage are paramount. Hebrews 13:4 declares, "Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers." This verse highlights the sanctity of marriage and the expectation of fidelity within the marital relationship.

Application to Common Law Marriage:
In light of biblical principles, common law marriage may be evaluated based on the couple's commitment, fidelity, and public acknowledgment of their union. While the absence of a formal ceremony or legal documentation may raise questions about the public and legal recognition of the marriage, the core biblical values of commitment and exclusivity remain central.

Conclusion:
The Bible provides foundational principles for understanding marriage as a covenantal, public, and legally recognized institution. While common law marriage is not directly addressed in Scripture, the biblical emphasis on commitment, fidelity, and respect for legal authorities offers guidance for evaluating such unions within a Christian framework.Hebrews 13:4
Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
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Matthew 19:3-9
The Pharisees also came to him, tempting him, and saying to him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
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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.
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Ephesians 5:22-33
Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
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1 Corinthians 7:2
Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
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Romans 7:2
For the woman which has an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he lives; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
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1 Corinthians 7:39
The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
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1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
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1 Corinthians 7:1-40
Now concerning the things whereof you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
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1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man does is without the body; but he that commits fornication sins against his own body.
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Whether Children Born Out of True Marriage are Illegitimate?
... seem that children born out of true marriage are legitimate ... born according to law,
at least the law of nature ... Objection 2: Further, it is the common saying that ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether children born out of.htm

Whether Inseparableness of the Wife is of Natural Law?
... Therefore, since the offspring is the common good of husband and wife, the dictate
of the natural law requires the ... and so the indissolubility of marriage is of ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether inseparableness of the wife.htm

Article xxiii (xi): of the Marriage of Priests.
... marriage than in nature in its integrity, Paul accordingly speaks of marriage as
a ... God wishes the rest to use the common law of nature which He has instituted. ...
/.../the apology of the augsburg confession/part 28 article xxiii xi .htm

Whether There Can be Marriage Between Unbelievers?
... by those means which are of the natural law. ... end are proportionate to the end, the
marriage that tends ... since the first perfection can be common to unbelievers ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be marriage.htm

Whether it is against the Natural Law to have Several Wives?
... to his generic nature, wherefore it is common to other ... in any way hinders the first
end of marriage, since one ... of wives is in a way against the law of nature ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is against the.htm

Of the Marriage of Priests.
... There has been common complaint concerning the examples of priests who ... This may now
be readily understood when the law against marriage is maintained ...
/.../various/the augsburg confession of faith/article xxiii of the marriage.htm

On Marriage.
... fornication;" and it regards as fornication, the marriage of those ... place, that not
even their death may be in common. And the law is not at variance with the ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxiii on marriage.htm

Fulfilling of the Law in the Higher Sense. --Particular Examples ...
... sets forth the moral idea of marriage in its ... Kri'sis = judgment, condemnation, its
common meaning in the New ... of violation of the Theocratic law nowhere appear ...
/.../section 155 fulfilling of the.htm

Whether the Degrees of Consanguinity that are an Impediment to ...
... by the New Law which is the law of the ... Hence in olden times marriage was forbidden
even within the ... difficult to have any recollection of the common stock, and ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the degrees of consanguinity.htm

Whether a Believer Can Marry an Unbeliever?
... is the work of father and mother in common, each of ... previous to marriage is an
impediment to the marriage contract. Reply to Objection 1: In the Old Law it was ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a believer can marry.htm

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