Selah · Answered from Scripture
What does the Bible say about marriage?
What Scripture says
Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his wife, and they will be one flesh.
Genesis 2:24
So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, don’t let man tear apart.”
Matthew 19:6
“For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife. The two will become one flesh.”
Ephesians 5:31
Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled: but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
Hebrews 13:4
But, because of sexual immoralities, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.
1 Corinthians 7:2
For I hate divorce”, says Yahweh, the God of Israel, “and him who covers his garment with violence!” says Yahweh of Armies. “Therefore take heed to your spirit, that you don’t deal treacherously.
Malachi 2:16
Verses quoted from the World English Bible (public domain).
A reflection
The Bible presents marriage as a sacred union instituted by God, where a man and woman become one flesh, leaving their parents to form a new family (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:6; Ephesians 5:31). It emphasizes the importance of honoring marriage and maintaining its sanctity, warning against sexual immorality and divorce (Hebrews 13:4; Malachi 2:16). The teaching also acknowledges that while marriage is good, it can bring challenges, suggesting wisdom in the decision to marry (1 Corinthians 7:28).
This reflection was written by AI from the verses above. The verses are quoted verbatim; the AI never writes Scripture.
Where traditions read it
- Catholic
- Catholic teaching holds that marriage is a sacrament instituted by Christ, reflecting God's unconditional love and fidelity. It emphasizes the permanence of the marital bond and discourages divorce, as God intends marriage to be lifelong.
- Orthodox
- Orthodox Christians view marriage as a sacred mystery (sacrament) that mirrors the relationship between Christ and the Church. They believe that through marriage, couples receive divine grace to endure challenges and grow spiritually together.
- Protestant
- Protestant traditions generally affirm the sanctity of marriage, viewing it as a covenant before God and a means for companionship and sexual fulfillment. However, interpretations regarding divorce and remarriage can vary significantly among denominations.
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