What Does the Bible Say About the Purpose of Marriage?

I believe the Bible’s claim that God’s creation of human beings to be higher than other creatures is an act of divine wisdom and power. Human beings were created differently from all that were made before them because of the special role they are to play in God’s program.

I also know that there are many differences, but the one relevant to the present circumstance is the fact that God created human beings (of which I am one) male and female—Adam and Eve. Adam was created first, out of the earth, and Eve was made from his rib as a help meet for him (Genesis 2:18). They were only one couple, while He made the rest of the creatures in many couples.

What Does the Bible Say About the Purpose of Marriage?

God then commanded that:

A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24, NKJV),

to which Jesus added:

They are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate”* (Matthew 19:6-7, NKJV).  

After creating them, He “blessed them, and said unto them, ‘Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion” over all His creation (Genesis 1:28, KJV).

What Are the Implications of These?

The four implications of these facts are as follows:

1.The Indissolubility of Marriage:

Our first father, Adam, was confined to one wife. If he had put her away, there was no other woman for him to marry. This plainly intimates that the bond of marriage was not to be dissolved at will, “except it be for fornication” (Matthew 19:9, KJV). This is the only condition for divorce according to the prescription of Jesus Christ.

2. The Permanence of the Marriage Relationship:

Marriage between a man and a woman is made to last forever, “till death do them part.” This is not the case with animals, which do not have permanent partners but engage in casual relationships with many as they encounter others in their daily lives. A human being operating at this level is considered to be living like an animal and will be seen as psychologically and morally deficient.

3.The Unity of the Married Couple:

A marriage consists of a husband and his wife forming one body. Just as no part of the human body can be separated and continue to live, neither can a marriage be complete when a partner is separated.

Consequently, God established that:

“A man shall be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh… they are no longer two but one flesh. What God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Nothing should separate or come between the couple—not even their children—who are members of the family but not part of the marriage bond itself.

4.The Universal Connection of Humanity: 

God made one male and one female, commanding them to “be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” so that all nations might know themselves to be made of one blood, descendants from one common stock. This is intended to foster love and unity among all people.

It is owing to this original blessing that the human race continues to exist, with one generation succeeding another.

The Role of Man and Woman in Creation

• The Man Was Made First And Appointed Head Over Creation On Earth, Reflecting The Divine Dominion.
• The Woman Was Created From The Man, Sharing In His Glory. Though Superior To Other Creatures, She Is In Subjection To Her Husband, Deriving Honor From The One Out Of Whom She Was Made.
• This Implies That The Woman Was Made For The Man—to Be His Helper—and Not The Man For The Woman.
• She Was Naturally Made Subject To Him Because She Was Created For His Use, Help, And Comfort.
• Consequently, the man holds the role of headship over his wife.