Topical Encyclopedia MarriageMarriage, as instituted by God, is a sacred covenant between a man and a woman. It is designed to reflect the relationship between Christ and the Church, serving as a foundational institution for human society. The Bible provides numerous insights into the nature, purpose, and sanctity of marriage. The origin of marriage is found in the creation narrative. 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 verse underscores the divine intention for marriage to be a lifelong union, characterized by unity and intimacy. The New Testament further elaborates on the sanctity of marriage. In Ephesians 5:31-32 , Paul echoes the Genesis account, stating, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church." Here, marriage is elevated to a spiritual metaphor, illustrating the profound connection between Christ and His followers. Marriage is also portrayed as a partnership. In Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 , the benefits of companionship are highlighted: "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. For if one falls, the other will lift up his companion. But woe to him who falls and has no one to help him up." This passage emphasizes the mutual support and strength found in a marital relationship. The Bible also addresses the roles and responsibilities within marriage. Ephesians 5:22-25 instructs, "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her." These verses highlight the complementary roles of husbands and wives, rooted in love and respect. Love Love is a central theme in the Bible, intricately connected to the concept of marriage. It is both a command and a gift from God, serving as the foundation for all relationships, especially the marital bond. The Bible's most famous passage on love is found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 : "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." This passage provides a comprehensive description of love's attributes, serving as a guide for marital relationships. In the context of marriage, love is sacrificial and unconditional. Ephesians 5:25 commands husbands to "love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her." This sacrificial love is the highest standard, reflecting Christ's selfless devotion to His people. The Song of Solomon, a poetic book in the Old Testament, celebrates romantic love and the joy of marital intimacy. In Song of Solomon 8:6-7 , love is described as powerful and unyielding: "Set me as a seal over your heart, as a seal upon your arm. For love is as strong as death, its jealousy as unyielding as the grave. Its sparks are fiery flames, the fiercest blaze of all. Mighty waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away." This vivid imagery captures the intensity and permanence of true love. The Bible also teaches that love is a fruit of the Spirit, as seen in Galatians 5:22 : "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness." This indicates that love is not merely a human emotion but a divine attribute cultivated by the Holy Spirit within believers. In summary, marriage and love are deeply intertwined in the biblical narrative, reflecting God's design for human relationships. Marriage is a covenantal union that mirrors Christ's relationship with the Church, while love is the essential quality that sustains and enriches this sacred bond. Topical Bible Verses Colossians 3:19Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Topicalbible.org Library Of the Love of Offspring as a Plea for Marriage. That Love Rules Over all the Affections, and Passions, and Even ... The Marriage of Christian Hearts. At the Marriage Feast The Adornment of the Spritual Marriage Of Sensible Love The Marriage of Cana How Good Men in their Contemplation have the Love of God Before ... Of the Pain and Restlessness of Love On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xxii. 2, Etc. , About the ... Resources What is the validity of marriage in today's world? | GotQuestions.orgIf marriage is so difficult, why should I even consider it? | GotQuestions.org What biblical principles should be applied to a Christian marriage ceremony? | GotQuestions.org Marriage: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Marriage: A Benediction Pronounced After Marriage: A Covenant Relationship Marriage: A Dowry Given to the Woman's Parents Before Marriage: A Herald Preceded the Bridegroom Marriage: Betrothal a Quasi-Marriage Marriage: Betrothal Made With the Spirit Marriage: Celebrated for Seven Days Marriage: Celebrated with Feasting Marriage: Celebrated with Great Rejoicing Marriage: Ceremony Attested by Witnesses Marriage: Christ's Union With his Church Marriage: Consanguinous, Abraham and Sarah Marriage: Consent of the Parties Necessary To Marriage: Contracted at the Gate and Before Witnesses Marriage: Contracted in Patriarchal Age With Near Relations Marriage: Daughters Given In, As Rewards of Valor Marriage: David Gave One Hundred Philistine Foreskins for a Wife Marriage: Designed For: Increasing the Human Population Marriage: Designed For: Preventing Fornication Marriage: Designed For: Raising up Godly Seed Marriage: Designed For: The Happiness of Man Marriage: Early Introduction of Polygamy Marriage: Elder Daughters Usually Given In, Before the Younger Marriage: Expressed by Giving Daughters to Sons, and Sons to Daughters Marriage: Expressed by Joining Together Marriage: Expressed by Making Affinity Marriage: Expressed by Taking to Wife Marriage: Garments Provided for Guests At Marriage: God's Union With the Jewish Nation Marriage: Indissoluble During the Joint Lives of the Parties Marriage: Infidelity of Those Contracted In, Punished As If Married Marriage: Levirate (The Brother Required to Marry a Brother's Widow) Marriage: Modes of Demanding Women In Marriage: Not Binding After Death Marriage: Obligations Under, Inferior to Duty to God Marriage: Often Contracted by Parents for Children Marriage: Parents' Consent Requires in the Mosaic Law Marriage: Parents Contract for Their Children: Abraham for Isaac Marriage: Parents Contract for Their Children: Hagar Selects a Wife for Ishmael Marriage: Parents Contract for Their Children: Laban Arranges for his Daughters' Marriage Marriage: Parents Contract for Their Children: Samson Asks his Parents to Procure Him a Wife Marriage: Parents Might Refuse to Give Their Children In Marriage: Presents Given to Parents to Secure Their Favor Marriage: Priest not to Contract, With Divorced or Improper Persons Marriage: should be Only in the Lord Marriage: should be With Consent of Parents Marriage: The Bride: Adorned With Jewels For Marriage: The Bride: Attended by Bridesmaids Marriage: The Bride: Called to Forget Her Father's House Marriage: The Bride: Given a Handmaid At Marriage: The Bride: Gorgeously Apparelled Marriage: The Bride: Received Presents Before Marriage: The Bride: Stood on the Right of Bridegroom Marriage: The Bridegroom: Adorned With Ornaments Marriage: The Bridegroom: Attended by Many Friends Marriage: The Bridegroom: Crowned With Garlands Marriage: The Bridegroom: Presented With Gifts Marriage: The Bridegroom: Rejoiced Over the Bride Marriage: The Bridegroom: Returned With the Bride to his House at Night Marriage: The Expectation of the Promised Seed of the Woman An Marriage: The Groom Exempt One Year from Military Duty Marriage: The High Priest not to Contract, With a Widow or a Divorced Marriage: The Jews were Allowed Divorce From, Because of Hardness of Their Marriage: The Jews: Betrothed Themselves some Time Before Marriage: The Jews: Careful in Contracting for Their Children Marriage: The Jews: Considered Being Debarred From, a Cause of Grief Marriage: The Jews: Considered Being Debarred From, a Reproach Marriage: The Jews: Contracted when Young Marriage: The Jews: Exempted from Going to War Immediately After Marriage: The Jews: Forbidden to Contract With Idolaters Marriage: The Jews: Forbidden to Contract, With Their Near Relations Marriage: The Jews: Obliged to Contract With a Brother's Wife Who Died Without Marriage: The Jews: Often Contracted With Foreigners Marriage: The Jews: Often Contracted, in Their own Tribe Marriage: The Jews: Often Punished by Being Debarred From Marriage: The Jews: Sometimes Guilty of Polygamy Marriage: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Marriage: Wedding Robes Adorned With Jewels Marriage: Wives Among the Israelites Must be Israelites Marriage: Wives Obtained by Kidnapping Marriage: Wives Obtained by Purchase Marriage: Wives Taken by Edict Related Terms Marriage-feasts (6 Occurrences) |
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