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...




What Does the Bible Say about Marriage?

 

The Bible says that a Christian marriage is one where two people become one. As Genesis 2:24 clearly explains ‘therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.' If you understand the context in which it was said, the purpose of a Christian marriage becomes even clearer.

When God created man, he thought that it was not right for a man to be alone. So, he created woman as his companion and partner. The two are always supposed to complement each other. They are supposed to complete each other. It is for this reason the Lord said that man and woman should be together and become one flesh. They were created for this very purpose.

This is why Christianity considers marriage as a divine institution and not a manmade one. It was the very first human institution that was established by the Lord. This is also the reason it is called the ‘holy’ matrimony. It is His presence, grace, and guidance that is responsible for the ‘holy’ part of the matrimony.

 

The Biblical Definition of Marriage - Marriage Bible Verses

The Bible has a number of scriptures and verses that emphasize the need for marriage and the important role marriage plays in your life. These scriptures about marriage are important to read often. Right from Genesis, where the Lord proclaims that he created woman to be man’s companion and ordained them to become one flesh, you can find a wide range of marriage Bible verses in the Bible. Let’s take a look at some of them.

One of the most well-known Bible verses on marriage is Matthew 19. 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 no one separate”.

Could the purpose of marriage be stated any better than in Matthew 19? We read in Matthew 19 that the Lord clearly says that He created man and woman so that they could be together. The same message is also conveyed through Genesis 2:24 – ‘That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.'

Some Bible verses on marriage focus on the woman. Christianity holds women in high regard. Christians understand that a good, noble woman is the foundation of a happy home. This is why the Lord tells men to find a wife of noble character. The message can be found in a number of verses in the Book of Proverbs.

  • Proverbs 5:18 states, “May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.”
  • Proverbs 12:4 explains, “A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.”
  • Proverbs 18:22 says, “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.”
  • Proverbs 19:14 states, “Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.”

The scriptures about marriage say that a married couple must exalt His word and demonstrate their faith in Him. However, following the biblical definition of marriage does not mean that you are to neglect your worldly duties. One of the biggest benefits of a Christian marriage is the fact that it allows you to enjoy worldly pleasures all the while setting you on the path to salvation. No verse explains the importance of worldly duties and pleasures as well as Deuteronomy 24:5. It says ‘If a man has recently married, he must not be sent to war or have any other duty laid on him. For one year he is to be free to stay at home and bring happiness to the wife he has married.’

The importance of sexual morality and fidelity is also emphasized in many marriage Bible verses. It is mentioned clearly that God will judge adulterers and the sexually immoral. One of the reasons why traditional marriage as an institution has stood the test of time is that it offers a natural, healthy outlet for people’s sexuality.

Hebrews 13:4 says, “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” 

The marriage scriptures in the Bible also emphasize on the companionship part of matrimony and explain why a feeling of togetherness is so important for both men and women. For instance, Ecclesiastes 4:9 says ‘Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.' A similar message can be found in Ecclesiastes 4:12 – ‘Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken’. These Bible verses on marriage demonstrate just how strong the bond can be.

One of the important things you need to remember about marriage is that it is a union of two sinners. No one is perfect, and no one is pure. We have all sinned in one way or the other. Yet, the Lord is kind and generous enough to bless us with His grace. This is why we must love each other and help each other find the right path. It is true particularly in the case of a married couple, as 1 Peter 4:8 points out – ‘Above all, love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins.'

Lastly, Mark 10:9 says “Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” As stated in many of the scriptures about marriage, a Christian marriage is a lifelong bond between a man and a woman. You enter the holy matrimony with the Lord Himself as the witness. Therefore, no power on earth has the right or authority to separate you from your lawfully wedded spouse. You have to stay together for your own sake, for the sake of your children, and, most importantly, for His sake. Out of respect for His presence in your life you should not violate the sanctity of holy matrimony.

One of the best aspects of being a part of the Christian community is that you always have a helping hand – in the form of a fellow believer – whenever you need it the most. Whether you are single and looking for a spouse, newly married, or wondering how to save a strained marriage, we can help you.

 

What Marriage Means to People Today

Much has been said about the institution of marriage, although it is the biblical definition of marriage that truly matters. Marriage is essentially the union of two individuals who are in love with each other, and sometimes want to start a family. If you ask the average man or woman why they want to get married, they are likely to offer one or more of the following reasons; if they: 

  • Are in love, have been dating for a long time, and want to take the next step
  • Want to enjoy the economic benefits of being a married couple
  • Are lonely and in need of each other’s companionship
  • Believe that this is what is expected of them by the society
  • Want to start a family with each other

In all of these situations, men and women figure out what they want and make a decision that they feel is best for their relationship. What is missing from such an arrangement, however, is a concern for what does the Bible say about marriage? The marriage scriptures indicate a higher purpose – the purpose of following the word of Christ, demonstrating your faith in Him, and striving to achieve the goal of becoming more like Christ.

 

The Concept of a Christian Marriage based on Marriage Bible Verses

A Christian marriage is inherently different from other kinds of marriages, civil unions, and domestic partnerships. It is a union wherein two individuals are united in Christ. The biblical definition of marriage explains that it is a union of two people who believe and acknowledge Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Their faith in Christ forms the center of the marriage. It is the crux on which the entire relationship revolves around.

The purpose of a Christian marriage is summed up beautifully in Psalm 34:3 – “Oh, magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together.” Can there be any higher purpose than that? When you realize the presence of Christ within you, it becomes easier for you to understand that marriage is but a vehicle through which you and your partner can exalt and glorify the name of the Lord and get closer to him in the process.

 

What Makes Christian Marriage Different from Other Marriages?

The fundamental difference between a Christian marriage and a non-Christian marriage is the underlying belief that marriage is not merely a social contract or a human convention based on social consensus. It is God’s plan and is divine in nature. This is why Christians refer to the institution of marriage as ‘holy matrimony,' for it is not merely human, but a holy sacrament.

A Christian man and woman do not get married solely based on their feelings for each other. Their relationship is not driven by lust. Their relationship is based on faith, trust, and commitment. It is also based on love – love for each other and love for the Lord who brought them together to serve his cause. They enter into the sacrament of holy matrimony because they realize that they can serve the Lord better together than they could ever do so on their own. It is a special relationship where they share a common goal – to be with each other, raise a family, and glorify His word.

A Christian man and woman, united through their love and devotion to Jesus Christ, understand that marriage is an institution and like all institutions, it too requires guidelines. These guidelines are outlines in the many scriptures about marriage. They know that a marriage with Him at the center is stronger, more mature, and more joyful than one that has not. They know that a threefold cord is not easily broken. Marriage Bible study will enforce these teachings.

A Christian couple approaches the institution of marriage as a covenant, not merely as a physical relationship. They make promises to each other and to the Lord about the way they choose to live in the future, not just make declarations of how they feel about each other in the present. They endeavor to fulfill those promises and remain faithful to the covenant.

A Christian man and woman understand that they are to be made one flesh, just like God ordained in many marriage Bible verses. They are to be entwined as though they are one person. There is no place for petty jealousy, possessiveness, apathy, or hatred in a Christian marriage. A Christian husband and wife know that they have been brought together not by chance or coincidence, but by the Lord himself. By deciding to spend the rest of their lives together and entering the holy matrimony, they are following His plans for a man and woman. 

 

The Unique Concept of Agape Love

A Christian marriage, much like a secular marriage, is rooted in love. It is, however, an entirely different kind of love. It is not the ephemeral romantic or sexual love that is often portrayed in our popular culture. It is the kind of love that lasts a lifetime. It is what is beautifully referred to as "Agape'.

Agape is a Greek word which is commonly translated as ‘love’ in the New Testament. Unlike romantic love, however, agape is not rooted in carnal feelings and desires. It is not merely an emotion which arises unbidden in your heart. It is also not brotherly love or friendship, for which there is a different Greek word – philia. Agape is a different kind of love altogether. It is a noble principle by which you choose to live. It is a sacrificial love, which prompts you to love your partner unconditionally.

The importance of the concept of agape can be gauged by the fact that St. Paul devoted an entire section to the topic in his first letter to the Corinthians. He says that love is patient and kind. It is love that can help you withstand the ups and downs of your marriage, stay true to the motto of ‘for better or for worse,' stay together irrespective of the challenges and problems you face, and enjoy a fruitful, faithful life.

The concept of agape love is easy to understand once you realize that God is love. He does not merely love us. He is love itself. No matter what He does, He does so because of his boundless love for us. As His followers, we too are supposed to love each other the same way – without any preconditions, without any selfish interests, and without expecting anything in return. It is exactly the kind of love that characterizes not just a Christian marriage but symbolizes Christian life itself.

 

Glorifying God through Marriage

When you follow the word of God as stated in the many Bible verses on marriage, and keep Him at the center of your marriage, you are able to feel His presence in your home. He is glorified when you live out your marriage according to His biblical definition of marriage. In fact, one of the important reasons why marriage is considered a covenant designed and ordained by God is that a successful marriage brings glory to His name. It stands as a testimony, living, breathing proof of Christ and His church. It demonstrates the power of Jesus Christ to the people who witness it. It exemplifies noble qualities like unconditional love, hope, faith, forgiveness, patience, and, above all, the power of Jesus Christ and His saving grace.

A strong, successful Christian marriage can inspire those who are seeking true love and looking for a partner with whom they can serve the Lord together. They will be able to see that there is something different about the way you treat your spouse and how you are able to love your spouse just the way Jesus Christ loved His church. It can be extremely rewarding and gratifying to be a living, breathing example of His divine grace.

 

The Concept of Honor in Christian Marriage

One of the important aspects of a Christian marriage is honor. It is, in fact, the fuel that runs a successful Christian marriage. The concept of honor is a powerful tool and resource that men and women can use to build a long-lasting, successful marriage. Christian marriage scriptures repeatedly talk about the need for husbands to honor their wives and wives to honor their husbands. What exactly is considered ‘honorable’ in the context of marriage?

Giving someone honor means recognizing their inherent worth and treating them like a treasure. It means placing a great price, significance, or weight on something or someone. Matthew 6:21 says that ‘where your treasure is, there your heart will also be’. It means that we treasure those for whom we have feelings. It also means that you would go to great lengths to care for, nurture, and protect them. This is why the Lord ordained married couples to honor each other.

The idea of honor serves as one of the fundamental, guiding principles of a Christian marriage. When you recognize your spouse as someone of great value and treat them with great respect and love, it strengthens the bond between the two of you. It also gives you the strength to survive difficult times and stay strong through the ups and downs of marriage.

The moment you enter the holy matrimony with the person you love, you have to understand that you are not only responsible for fulfilling the promises you made to each other, but also to the Lord himself. When you treat each other badly or hurt each other, you are not only dishonoring each other but dishonoring Christ himself, whose precepts you are supposed to follow and under whose guidance you are supposed to lead your life.

The world can witness the transforming power of Christ through your marriage. It is an honor and also a great responsibility. It means you have to love each other unconditionally, without any pretense, and treat each other in an honorable manner. It is the only way you can show everyone that a man and woman can live in perfect harmony only when they follow His words and glorify Him with their words and deeds.

 

Makings of a Christian Marriage

If you are a Christian man or woman who wants to get married, you should prepare adequately to make sure your wedding ceremony truly represents the spirit of a Christian marriage. You should seek biblical premarital counseling from your pastor. It will help you understand the concept of holy matrimony and the biblical principles associated with it. It will prepare you for a lifetime of sacred bond with your partner. Engage in marriage Bible study together.

Your wedding ceremony should reflect your faith in Christ and your dedication to His glory. Every aspect of the ceremony – right from what you wear to the music you choose, the vows you prepare, and the message to be delivered by the officiator – should reflect your faith in the Lord. The ceremony should not be too extravagant, for simplicity and modesty are hallmarks of a Christian ceremony.

On the whole, the ceremony should be simple, elegant, and reflect your commitment to following the words of Christ. It is the start of something wonderful – a lifetime of togetherness and a journey of love guided by His light.

 

The Many Purposes of Christian Marriage

 

Means, Not an End

For Christians, marriage is not an end in itself. It is a means, a vehicle through which they can demonstrate their faith and love for God. It is one of the basic and most important purposes of a Christian marriage. Your marriage should reflect the Lord’s relationship with the church. Ephesians 5:25 says ‘as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her’. What this means is that you are supposed to love your wife like Jesus loved the church.

The Importance of Cooperation

Cooperation between man and woman is one of the cornerstones of a Christian marriage. You are supposed to love your spouse selflessly and unconditionally, and your spouse should do the same. When God decided to ‘make a helper comparable to him,' he planned for man and woman to be natural allies and partners, not competitors. So, you and your spouse should love and support each other at all times, comfort each other in times of great difficulty, and cooperate with each other in all things.

Duty, Not Just Rights

A Christian marriage, in its essence, is a relationship based on duties. Unlike other types of modern relationships, it is not one based only on rights. Excessive focus on each other’s rights will destroy any relationship, even more so in the case of marriage. An ideal Christian couple should always be willing to sacrifice for each other’s sake, rather than fighting over each other’s rights.

The Prevention of Sexual Immorality

The world we live in is full of temptations. Sexual images and innuendos occupy our TV screens and general media. In such a situation, it is very easy for both men and women to fall into the trap of sexual immorality. This is precisely why 1 Corinthians 7:2 says – ‘but because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.'

Christian marriage, as an institution, plays an important role in preventing immorality. It allows you to express your sexuality in a healthy way without exposing yourself to the emotional trauma caused by casual, non-committed sexual relationships, infidelity, and adultery.

Christian scriptures warn us that sin has no boundaries. A man who is not satisfied with one woman is not likely to be satisfied with many. The same rule applies to adulterous women as well. Once you get caught in the web of temptation, it is very hard to untangle yourself. So, it is better to avoid it in the first place and stay faithful to your spouse. Marriage acts as a strong deterrent to such temptations and helps you stay faithful to your spouse. It is helpful to participate in marriage Bible study regularly and study marriage scriptures. Read marriage Bible verses such as Matthew 19:4, Isaiah 54:5, and Ephesians 5:25.

The Necessity of Procreation

Genesis 1:28 explains one of the key purpose of a Christian marriage – ‘Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it.' It is the very purpose you were created by God. It should be, however, noted that the act of procreation in itself is not of great importance. It gains importance only because it offers you an opportunity to reproduce children in God’s likeness. Basically, a Christian marriage elevates what is essentially a physical bond into a spiritual union with a noble purpose.

Children bring you happiness. They fill your house with joy and strengthen your marital bond. The importance of having children is beautifully summed up in Psalm 127:3-5 – ‘Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord; the fruit of the womb is His reward”. This means that Christian couples have the ability to procreate and give birth to children in His likeness.

Christian scriptures very clearly state that you should never think of children as a burden. No matter how few or how many children you have, you have to think of them as a gift from the Lord. It is explained in Psalm 127:3-5 – “Like arrows in the hands of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them’. Every single child is a gift from Christ and an invaluable treasure and must be treated so at all times.

There is one other reason why procreation is considered a very important purpose of a Christian marriage. A Christian couple is supposed to instill a sense of discipline in their children and teach the values of agape love, obedience, temperance, and patience. It cannot be done by couples who are divided, angry, and resentful at each other. It can only be done by couples who follow the precepts of Christ and lead an honorable life. In other words, if you want to raise good children, you must be good examples in the first place.

In a sense, children are God’s way of reminding parents that they should put their differences aside and work together to nurture children in His image. It is also a test to see if the love for your children can overcome your differences and disagreements. Ultimately, it is your duty to create a stable, loving home where your children can grow and thrive.

Saving Each Other

As a Christian couple, you and your spouse are supposed to perform your worldly duties like earning a living, maintaining a healthy sex life, and raising a happy family. What is equally important is that you both should work for the salvation of each other. You should pray every day, go to church together, engage in marriage Bible study, and discuss the sermons on a regular basis. You should also pray for each other, for prayer is one of the most earnest ways of expressing your love for each other.

A union of two true believers is very special in the sense that you can satisfy and complete each other physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Through the institution of Christian marriage, God has offered you a chance to save each other. So, you should strengthen each other’s faith, seek the Lord’s blessings in good times and bad times, and get closer to Him in the process.

 

The Benefits of Christian Marriage

  • A Christian marriage offers you a sense of stability and strength. When you are married to a person of your own faith, you know that you have a companion and spiritual soul mate for life.
  • Marrying someone from your own faith not just makes the two of you happy, but the parents on both sides as well. They will feel happy and satisfied that their children will carry on their faith to the next generation. Your marriage can bring together the extended families on both sides and create an atmosphere of peace, happiness, and togetherness.
  • It helps you maintain a healthy, active sex life. Too many people these days seek casual, non-committed sexual relationships that bring nothing but misery in the end. A Christian marriage, on the other hand, allows you to explore and express your sexual desires in a healthy and safe manner. In fact, studies show that married people are happier and have more sex than single people. It is true even more so in the case of Christian marriages, as the marriage scriptures explicitly state that a husband and wife must have sexual relations and is part of their marital duty towards each other.
  • A Christian marriage offers you a sense of belonging and togetherness, which a non-committed relationship can never offer you. As a Christian couple, you and your spouse are supposed to become one flesh, as if you are one person. Such an intensely personal, intimate relationship can be an immense source of strength and can help you stay positive through the ups and downs of life.
  • Marrying someone from your own faith means your life goals are likely to be similar, particularly in terms of raising children. It results in a happy family with fewer disagreements between the husband and wife.
  • A common faith also serves as an anchor that you can both hold onto during difficult times. It helps you stay together in the worst of times without breaking you apart.
  • Being married to a person of faith serves as a constant reminder that your relationship is an instrument that can help you grow in Christ and get closer to Him.
  • Faithful parents generally raise faithful children. With you and your spouse being people of faith, your children are less likely to fall away.
  • A Christian spouse can strengthen your faith and help you realize His presence in your life. Matthew 18:20 proclaims as much – ‘for where two or more are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.' What better way to seek His blessings and invite His divine grace than to pray together as husband and wife? This is one of the biggest benefits of a Christian marriage.
  • All relationships, whether committed or non-committed, have problems. Only a Christian marriage, however, has a spiritual solution to those problems. As Christians, you and your spouse are supposed to put Christ before everything else in your life. So, you already know that the best way to sort out disagreements between you is to talk to each other, be willing to sacrifice and compromise for each other, and pray together to seek His guidance. You can also seek spiritual counseling, which can help you settle your differences and strengthen your bond further.
  • Lastly, as Christians, you and your spouse know that you are to stay together until “death do you part.” Your marriage is not a contract that either of you can opt out of any time you want. It is a covenant, ordained and witnessed by the Lord. So, you can take strength from the fact that your spouse is not likely to leave you at the first sign of trouble. It is always reassuring to know that you have a person whom you can love, trust, rely on, and depend on for the rest of your life.

 

Who Are We?

Our vision statement at G.Q. King's Palaces, LLC is "Using our hearts, minds, and gifts to increase world faith." We use this statement as a guiding principle to serve the Lord in His meekness, loving-kindness, and mercy. In this way, we desire to welcome others who have not known Jesus, to become aware of God's Spirit in their lives. We believe firmly in the doctrine of God's Spirit as communicated through scripture.

 

How Can We Help You?

We believe in the power of prayer. Just like nothing is impossible with God, nothing is implausible with prayer. We believe that through sincere prayer, you can summon the Heavenly forces that can help you overcome the difficulties in life.

We accept prayer requests from people all over the world. Who you are, where you are from, what your background is, whether you are single, newly married, or married for years – it does not matter to us at all. If you have a problem, if you are going through a difficult time in life, we can lend you an ear, listen to your story, and pray on behalf of you.

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The Power of Prayer

The power of prayer is magnified greatly with the number of people who pray. When a group of true believers comes together to pray for a common cause, God listens and responds to it readily. As Theresa of Avila said, prayer does not work when you pray as if God were absent. It works when you realize that He is omnipresent and can hear everything you say and see everything you do.

You can visit our website to submit a prayer request. No matter what kind of problem you are battling with and no matter how insurmountable the odds seem, do not lose hope. Let us pray for you with single-minded focus and dedication and request our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to shower you with His blessings.

You can also take a detailed look at the other sections of our website. We have a large number of articles that contain Biblical verses and words of wisdom from scriptures that can offer you the answers you seek and bring balance to your life.

 

Who Needs Prayer?

Everyone needs prayer. Even the most confident and accomplished of people may feel lost or disconnected at times in life. At such a time, the healing touch of the Lord alone can help you get back on your feet. So, keep your Bible close to you, read the verses that have transformed the lives of a countless number of people, and seek comfort in His words. Most importantly, remember what He has proclaimed in Matthew 11:28 – ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.'

If you are single, we can pray for you to find a Christian life partner. If you are newly married, we can pray so that you are blessed with healthy, godly children and enjoy a happy married life. If you have been married for years and going through some difficulties currently, we can pray so that God gives you the strength to endure the difficulties, weather the storm, and stay together through the ordeal.

No matter what you want, what you seek, or what you need, the answer is in prayer and in the Holy Bible. Let us help you connect with the Lord and enrich your life with His divine presence.