Many cultures around the world are losing their understanding of the original meaning of marriage. Marriage today is sometimes mocked as an antiquated institution that has lost its relevance. A recent survey revealed that people are growing less attached to marriage as an institution. The percentage of people who think marriage makes children and families better off and necessary to create strong families has fallen slightly. However, people still see marriage in a positive light. The percentage of people who think marriage is old-fashioned and out of date has also grown in recent years. However, there are some biblical reasons for marriage that still apply in modern times.
Marriage in the Bible
Despite popular opinion, marriage is not a man-made concept. When God created the first man in His image, He gave that man everything he needed to be happy. God said it’s not good for a man to be alone, so He created a woman from Adam’s rib and brought her to the man. The first marriage happened when God made Eve to complement the needs of the man. When joined in a covenant, they become one flesh. When they became one, it created an unbreakable bond meant to last a lifetime. Matthew 19:5-6 describes how a man will leave his parents and unite with his wife, and the two will become one flesh. The verse goes on to say that what God puts together, no one should separate.
Marriage was the first institution that God created before the government or the church. It was the first social institution. Humanity is designed to function best when they connect in healthy ways to others. God’s plan for marriage is to establish strong families. Another purpose of marriage is to create a stable home where children can grow and thrive. 2 Corinthians 6:14 says that you shouldn’t be yoked together with unbelievers because what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Instead, the best marriage is between two believers who can produce godly offspring.
The Scripture doesn’t command that all believers must be married. The apostle Paul favored remaining single to devote more time to serving God. 1 Corinthians 7:7-9 describes Paul saying that it’s good to be single. Still, if you can’t control yourself, you should get married because it’s better to wed than burn with passion. Some people don’t feel the need to be married, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Single people can live fulfilling lives and find emotional support through friends and family. However, some people still aspire to get married. Marriage gives you a lifelong partner, someone who you can lean on for the rest of your life. The Bible gives a few biblical reasons for matrimony, and some are still relevant today.
Partnership
Genesis 2:18 says that it’s not good for man to be alone and that He will make a helper suitable for him. When you get married, you gain a lifelong partner. You will always have someone that you can count on no matter what happens. God created Eve for Adam so that he wouldn’t have to go through life by himself. The first two chapters of Genesis illustrate how God made people for relationships: one with God and the second with each other. The Bible highlights how everyone needs someone. When you marry that special someone, you have them for life.
Protection
God created marriage not only for partnership but so that Adam could protect Eve. Since most see the wife as the weaker being, God made man the more rational of the two. The man is supposed to lead his wife and protect her from self-destructive actions and deceptive policies. The wife is more in touch with her feelings, so it may be easy for her to get hurt if not protected by her husband. This sentiment may seem a little outdated, but it’s still relevant in today’s world. A modern woman can make decisions for herself, but she knows her husband can protect her if need be. She wants a man that she knows can protect her and take care of her. On the other hand, the man benefits from having a wife because she completes him.
Procreation
Genesis 1:28 says that a married couple should be fruitful and multiply. God created marriage so that married couples could make and raise Godly children. Malachi 2:15 details how God wants Godly offspring, so men should remain faithful to their wives. The desire to have children and raise a family is why many people get married. Marriage gives people the opportunity to start with a clean slate and raise their children the way they want to. By getting married and having children, you’re able to bring life into the world and educate them so that they can go into the world and spread God’s Word.
Performance
There’s a saying that goes if you want to go fast, go alone. If you desire to go far, go together. In the Bible, performance doesn’t mean that the husband or wife must perform for the other or vice versa. Instead, it means that God made Eve because He felt that Adam needed a partner. Even God knew that two are better than one and will have a better reward for their work. Two like-minded people working together will accomplish more in life than a single person. Ecclesiastes 4:9 says there is value in partnership because the other is there to pick them up if one falls.
Pleasure
Hebrews 13:4 says that marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed is unblemished. God says that He will judge those who participate in sex before matrimony. God created marriage so we can enjoy physical relations without feeling bad and still follow God’s plan. Although it is rare in modern times, some people still abstain from sex until they are married. Abstaining from sex until you’re married allows you to clear your mind and genuinely get to know your partner before you get married. Once you are married, you can partake in physical activities because you and your partner are one flesh.
Do What’s Best For You
The biblical reasons for marriage that still apply today are some of the main reasons people get married. The purpose of marriage may be fleeting to the public, but don’t let that stop your desire to get married if that’s your choice. Marriage is a beautiful institution, so you shouldn’t enter it lightly. The biblical reasons for marriage are good reasons, but you have to follow your heart and God. If you’re in a relationship and God tells us to marry this person, then you should marry them. However, if you’re still waiting on God to give His say, keep waiting until you hear from Him. You shouldn’t feel pressured to get married because others around you are doing it or your family is pressuring you. Continue to follow your heart and God; they’ll never lead you astray.
