Topical Bible: Marriage: Honorable for All

◄ Marriage: Honorable for All ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Marriage, as instituted by God, is a sacred covenant and a foundational institution within the Christian faith. It is designed to reflect the relationship between Christ and the Church, serving as a living testimony of divine love, commitment, and unity. The Bible consistently upholds marriage as an honorable and holy union, intended for companionship, procreation, and mutual support.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of marriage is first introduced in the Book of Genesis, where God creates Eve as a companion for Adam. 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 verse establishes the principle of leaving and cleaving, highlighting the exclusivity and permanence of the marital bond.

The New Testament reaffirms the sanctity of marriage. In Hebrews 13:4 , it is written, "Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers." This passage underscores the purity and respect that should characterize the marital relationship, warning against infidelity and sexual immorality.

Marriage as a Covenant

Marriage is more than a social contract; it is a covenant before God. Malachi 2:14 describes marriage as a covenant, emphasizing its spiritual significance: "Yet you ask, 'Why?' Because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant."

This covenantal aspect is further illustrated in Ephesians 5:31-32 , where 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 likened to the mystical union between Christ and His Church, highlighting its spiritual depth and eternal significance.

Roles and Responsibilities

Scripture outlines distinct roles and responsibilities for husbands and wives 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 emphasize mutual respect and sacrificial love, with husbands called to love their wives selflessly and wives encouraged to respect their husbands. This dynamic fosters a harmonious and nurturing environment, reflecting the love and unity found in the relationship between Christ and His Church.

Marriage and Family

Marriage is also the foundation for family life, providing a stable environment for raising children. Psalm 127:3-5 celebrates the blessing of children: "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."

The family unit, established through marriage, is intended to be a place of spiritual growth and instruction. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 commands, "These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

Challenges and Perseverance

While marriage is honored and esteemed, it is not without challenges. The Bible acknowledges the difficulties that can arise within marriage and provides guidance for overcoming them. In 1 Corinthians 7:28 , Paul notes, "But those who marry will face troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this."

Despite these challenges, believers are encouraged to persevere and seek God's guidance. Prayer, forgiveness, and reliance on the Holy Spirit are essential for maintaining a strong and healthy marriage. Colossians 3:13-14 advises, "Bear with each other and forgive any complaint you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity."

In summary, marriage is a divine institution, honored and esteemed by God, and serves as a vital component of Christian life and witness. Through commitment, love, and faithfulness, marriage reflects the eternal covenant between Christ and His Church.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 13:4
Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

"Honorable," Therefore, "Is Marriage in All, and the Bed Undefiled ...
... Section 8. "Honorable," therefore, "is marriage in all, and the bed
undefiled.? 8. "Honorable," therefore, "is marriage in all ...
/.../augustine/on the good of marriage/section 8 honorable therefore is.htm

Letter xviii. Marriage.
... LETTERS, &c. LETTER XVIII. Marriage. "Marriage is honorable in all.""HEB.13:4.
MY DEAR SISTER,. Some young persons indulge a fastidiousness ...
/.../a practical directory for young christian females/letter xviii marriage.htm

The Marriage of Cana
... a marriage feast, then, to deny marriage to any order of men, is certainly a "doctrine
of devils." "Marriage (says the Apostle) is honorable in all." Our Lord ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the marriage of cana.htm

Hebrews xii. 28, 29
... in the body. Marriage is honorable in all, [3454] and the bed undefiled;
but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. Let your ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxxiii hebrews xii 28.htm

On the Good of Marriage
... Section 8. "Honorable," therefore, "is marriage in all, and the bed undefiled.?
Section 9. Truly we must consider, that God gives us some goods? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on the good of marriage/

Titus ii. 14-Nov
... And the blessed Paul says, "Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled"
(Hebrews 13:4.); but he has nowhere said that the care of riches is honorable ...
/.../homily v titus ii 14-nov.htm

Affinities.
... Some one may ask, "Is not marriage honorable? and does not God join hearts together
in love?" He certainly does; but when he does and all is kept in God's ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/affinities.htm

Canons Appointed by the Council; Paphnutius, a Certain Confessor ...
... the Council from forming a Canon enjoining Celibacy to all who were ... and testified
against this proposition; he said that marriage was honorable and chaste ...
/.../chapter xxiii canons appointed by the.htm

Of Marriage Between Blood-Relations, in Regard to which the ...
... that men, among whom concord is honorable and useful ... for brothers and sisters were
united in marriage. ... Now, all these relationships, which combined three men ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 16 of marriage between blood-relations.htm

The Parable of the Wedding Feast
... dowry for his Son; he makes the marriage memorable not ... them, gifts are lavishly bestowed,
and all that is ... merge the subject in the more honorable character of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the parable of the wedding.htm