Topical Bible: Marriage: Not Binding After Death

◄ Marriage: Not Binding After Death ►

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In Christian theology, marriage is a sacred covenant between a man and a woman, instituted by God. However, according to Scripture, this covenant is not binding after death. This understanding is derived from several biblical passages that address the nature of marriage in the context of eternal life and the resurrection.

One of the clearest teachings on this subject is found in the Gospel of Matthew. When questioned by the Sadducees about the resurrection and marriage, Jesus responds, "At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; instead, they will be like the angels in heaven" (Matthew 22:30). This passage indicates that earthly marital relationships do not persist into the afterlife, as the resurrected state transcends earthly institutions.

Similarly, in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus reiterates this teaching: "When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven" (Mark 12:25). This reinforces the idea that marriage is an earthly institution designed for companionship, procreation, and mutual support, but it does not extend beyond this life.

The Apostle Paul also touches on the temporary nature of marriage in his epistles. In Romans 7:2-3, he writes, "For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. So then, if she marries another man while her husband is alive, she will be called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man" . This passage underscores that the marital bond is dissolved upon the death of a spouse, freeing the surviving partner to remarry without moral or legal repercussions.

Furthermore, in 1 Corinthians 7:39, Paul states, "A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, only in the Lord" . This again affirms that the marital bond is only applicable during the lifetime of both spouses.

Theologically, the temporary nature of marriage is understood in light of the eternal relationship between Christ and the Church. Earthly marriage serves as a symbol of this divine relationship, as described in Ephesians 5:31-32: "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" . In eternity, believers will experience the fullness of their union with Christ, which earthly marriage only foreshadows.

In summary, while marriage is a significant and sacred institution in this life, Scripture teaches that it is not binding after death. The focus in eternity shifts from earthly relationships to the believer's eternal relationship with God, where the fullness of joy and communion is realized.

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Matthew 22:29,30
Jesus answered and said to them, You do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
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Mark 12:24,25
And Jesus answering said to them, Do you not therefore err, because you know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?
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Library

From Examples Tertullian Passes to Direct Dogmatic Teachings He ...
... "Alike when divorce dissevers marriage as when death does, she will not be bound
to him by whom the binding medium has been broken off." To whom ...
/.../tertullian/on monogamy/chapter ix from examples tertullian passes.htm

Concerning Our Lord, and Concerning Death and Satan
... is mine: this Man triumphs as at the marriage, when He ... He chose Iscariot, as though
He knew him not; then He ... that He knew him, though he was binding and loosing ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xxxv concerning our lord.htm

Epistle v. To Queen Brunichild.
... For it is not without increase of your praise ... apostles, to whom the power of binding
and loosing ... called Austrasia, having on her marriage renounced Arianism ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle v to queen brunichild.htm

Chapter xvi.
... as profoundly sacred, and warrants the celebrant in binding the parties to marriage
to be ... What, therefore, God hath joined together, let not man put ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xvi.htm

Faustus Avows his Disbelief in the Old Testament and his Disregard ...
... and has been offered in due time, sacrifice is no longer binding as an ... of married
women, or when one who has not abstained from marriage dresses like ...
/.../faustus avows his disbelief in.htm

Chrysostom -- Excessive Grief at the Death of Friends
... if you should have given your daughter in marriage, and her ... so the other, when his
father was binding him and leading him to the altar, did not say, "Why ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/chrysostom excessive grief at.htm

Introduction
... such a hateful word be stricken from the marriage ceremony. ... are by no means synonymous,
and it is not until we ... the mind of the Creator, and is binding upon all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the law and the saint/introduction.htm

Letter Lxix. To Oceanus.
... only on the baptized and this alone as binding also on the ... can find nothing to censure
except a marriage contracted before ... "He that said, Do not commit adultery ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxix to oceanus.htm

The Impending Conflict
... The marriage vow would no longer stand as a sacred bulwark ... declare that the law of
God is no longer binding. ... it with wholesome food, but we do not change its ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 36 the impending conflict.htm

The Impending Conflict.
... The marriage vow would no longer stand as a sacred bulwark ... declare that the law of
God is no longer binding. ... it with wholesome food, but we do not change its ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /36 the impending conflict.htm