The Only Valid Definition of Marriage
Geoffrey R. Kirkland
Christ Fellowship Bible Church
What Is Marriage?
Marriage is an institution created by God (Gen 2:18-24) as one man joins himself to one woman (Gen 2:24) in an unbreakable covenant (Mal 2:14) for life (1 Cor 7:39; Rom 7:1-2). Marriage is a covenant between one man and one woman for life. The joining together of any other people is not sanctioned by God and thus does not fit within the parameters of marriage (e.g., same-sex marriage, bestiality, etc.).
What Is the Meaning of Marriage?
The reason the definition of marriage is so exclusive is because the meaning of marriage is so emphatic. In the Bible, God provides the meaning of marriage in very clear, explicit terms. The Bible says a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh (Eph 5:30; cf. Gen 2:24). The Bible speaks of this union between one man and one woman as a mystery — that is, something that was formerly unknown (though it existed) yet now it has been fully revealed. The marriage relationship, of course, existed yet the fullest meaning of marriage was not clearly expressed until the New Testament when Jesus died for His Church. This mystery (of marriage) is great and the Bible says that it refers to Christ and the Church. That clearly affirms that marriage is ultimately a visible picture of a spiritual reality. The way a husband loves his wife must reflect the love that Jesus Christ, the ultimate Bridegroom, has for His Bride. And the way a wife submits to and follows her husband, the head, ought to display the way the church submits to and follows her Head, Jesus Christ.
What Are Some Blessings of Marriage?
1. Companionship
One of the chief blessings that marriage brings is companionship. A husband and his wife are best friends who enjoy the company with each other, and treasure each other and the time that they spend with each other in edification, joy, and pleasure.
2. Procreation
God has designed the marriage covenant to also bring about procreation. When the husband and wife come together sexually, God blesses them with children. Children are a blessing from the Lord and they should be seen as a blessing not a hindrance.
3. Pleasure
The marriage relationship brings sexual pleasure both to the husband and to the wife. The husband makes it his supreme goal to fulfill his duty to his wife by striving to please her and the wife endeavors to fulfill her husband’s desires by serving him. Sexual pleasure is always and only to come only within the marriage relationship and never outside with any outside person.
4. Sanctification
The ultimate meaning of marriage is to display the gospel of Jesus Christ visibly and demonstrably and so one of the chief blessings of marriage is that God gives the husband and wife to each other as a chief instrument/means of sanctification.
5. Testimony
Before a watching world the way a husband and wife treat each other provides a testimony to an unbelieving world the gospel of grace. Also, the couple testifies daily in the home to God’s grace and gospel to their children in pursuing their salvation.
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