Topical Bible: Marriage: Divinely Instituted

◄ Marriage: Divinely Instituted ►

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Introduction

Marriage, as divinely instituted, is a foundational concept within the Christian faith, rooted in the belief that God Himself established the union between a man and a woman. This sacred institution is seen as a covenantal relationship designed for companionship, procreation, and the reflection of God's relationship with His people. The Bible provides numerous references and teachings that underscore the divine origin and purpose of marriage.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of marriage as a divine institution is first introduced in the Book of Genesis. In Genesis 2:18, 21-24 , it is written: "The LORD God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.'... So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, He took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib He had taken out of the man, and He brought her to the man. The man said, 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man.' 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 highlights several key elements of marriage: the creation of woman as a suitable partner for man, the leaving of one's family to form a new union, and the establishment of a one-flesh relationship. The divine act of creating woman from man signifies the intended unity and equality within the marital relationship.

Purpose and Significance

Marriage serves multiple purposes as outlined in Scripture. It is designed for companionship, as seen in Genesis 2:18, where God acknowledges man's need for a partner. Additionally, marriage is intended for procreation and the continuation of human life, as commanded in Genesis 1:28 : "God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it.'"

Furthermore, marriage is a reflection of the covenantal relationship between God and His people. In Ephesians 5:31-32 , the Apostle Paul writes, "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 unity and sacrificial love between Christ and the Church.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Bible outlines specific roles and responsibilities within the marriage relationship. In Ephesians 5:22-25 , Paul 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 emphasize mutual respect and love, with husbands called to love their wives sacrificially and wives encouraged to respect their husbands. The relationship is characterized by a balance of leadership and submission, mirroring the relationship between Christ and the Church.

Permanence and Fidelity

Marriage, as divinely instituted, is intended to be a lifelong commitment. Jesus reaffirms this in Matthew 19:4-6 : "Haven't you read," He replied, "that at 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."

The call to fidelity within marriage is further emphasized in Hebrews 13:4 : "Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers." This underscores the sanctity and exclusivity of the marital bond.

Conclusion

While the entry does not include a conclusion, the exploration of marriage as divinely instituted reveals its profound significance within the Christian tradition. Through biblical teachings, marriage is understood as a sacred covenant, reflecting divine principles of unity, love, and commitment.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Article xxiii (xi): of the Marriage of Priests.
... in its integrity, Paul accordingly speaks of marriage as a ... the common law of nature
which He has instituted. ... that they use the remedy divinely presented, just ...
/.../the apology of the augsburg confession/part 28 article xxiii xi .htm

Of Matrimony.
... else he teaches that, in their general sense, the spiritual marriage of Christ ... of
Christ and the Church, not however a sacrament divinely instituted, but one ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/of matrimony.htm

Zwingli's Distinctive Doctrines.
... the sacrament also to a wedding-ring which seals the marriage union. He fully admits,
however, that the sacraments are divinely instituted and necessary for ...
/.../ 52 zwinglis distinctive doctrines.htm

Article xv (viii): of Human Traditions in the Church.
... Gospel says that the ceremonies of Moses, which were divinely instituted, do not ...
of Christ, or the spiritual kingdom and political affairs, of marriage; of the ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 20 article xv viii .htm

The Christian Society
... Him, in an upper room, and instituted a memorial ... mass of human interests with a divinely
purifying power ... about the sacredness of the marriage relation (Matthew ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study xii the christian society.htm

The Banquet of the Ten Virgins, or Concerning Chastity
... Chapter I.--Marriage Not Abolished by the Commendation of ... Chapter III.--Comparison
Instituted Between the First and ... of Chastity and Virginity Divinely Given to ...
/.../methodius/the banquet of the ten virgins or concerning chastity/

The Lord's Supper
... and that the Lord's Supper was instituted in connection ... effect to say, 'I abrogate
a divinely enjoined ceremony ... wine of the kingdom and the marriage supper of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the lords supper.htm

The Axe at the Root --A Testimony against Puseyite Idolatry
... him anything else but this; and until divinely effectual grace ... This was probably
instituted by God himself when he ... were married and given in marriage, they ate ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/the axe at the roota.htm

The Origin and Nature of Pelagianism.
... its freedom, which was the crowning good of our divinely created nature. ... due, the
creature that God had made, the marriage that He had instituted, the law ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/i the origin and nature.htm

The Annunciation of Jesus the Messiah, and the Birth of his ...
... and the unborn Jesus demanded an immediate marriage, which would ... the Virgin-Mother
had to be Divinely chased ... his own act complete what God had first instituted. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv the annunciation of.htm