Marriage

A holy picture of Christ and the Church.

First Mention in Scripture

Original Word: אִשָּׁה (ishah)

Reference: Genesis 2:22–24

Meaning: Woman, wife — the one made from man and for man.

Used when God forms the woman from Adam’s side and brings her to him — the first marriage, initiated and blessed by God.

Marriage is not a human invention — it is God’s design from the beginning of creation.

It is a covenant, not merely a contract — a sacred union between one man and one woman, meant to reflect the love, commitment, and unity between Christ and His Church.

Though sin has distorted marriage in many ways, God’s original design and redemptive plan remain. Through Christ, marriage becomes not just a partnership but a living parable of the gospel.

Whether single or married, understanding marriage helps us grasp God’s heart for love, sacrifice, and covenantal faithfulness.

Marriage at Creation: Unity and Reflection

God created marriage before sin entered the world. “A man shall leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24).

This union — between one man and one woman — was God’s design from the beginning, affirmed by Jesus Himself (Matthew 19:4–6). Any form of marriage outside this pattern, including same-sex unions, falls outside of God's created order and is not recognized as lawful in His eyes (Romans 1:26–27; Leviticus 18:22).

Eve was formed from Adam’s side — not above or beneath him, but as his equal companion and helper (Genesis 2:18). Together, they were called to reflect God's image and multiply His glory on the earth (Genesis 1:27–28).

This original design reveals marriage as a relationship of unity, complementarity, and shared purpose — a living reflection of God’s nature and intention for human flourishing.

The Fall and the Fracture

Sin entered and distorted the harmony of marriage (Genesis 3:16). Instead of mutual love and trust, selfishness, blame, and domination emerged.

Yet even after the fall, God’s heart for marriage remained. He continued to use covenantal language to describe His relationship with His people — likening idolatry to spiritual adultery (Jeremiah 3:1–14; Hosea 2).

This shows that marriage was always meant to point to something greater — God’s faithful love.

Marriage as Covenant, Not Contract

Biblically, marriage is a covenant — a binding promise made before God (Malachi 2:14). It is built on faithfulness, not convenience.

Covenants reflect God’s own character: He keeps His promises, even when His people fail. Spouses are called to mirror that faithfulness — “what God has joined together, let no one separate” (Matthew 19:6).

Christ and the Church: The Ultimate Marriage

Paul reveals that human marriage is a shadow of a greater reality: “This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church” (Ephesians 5:32).

Husbands are called to love as Christ loved the Church — with sacrificial, purifying love (Ephesians 5:25–27). Wives are called to respect and submit as the Church does to Christ (Ephesians 5:22–24).

The gospel shapes the pattern: love, sacrifice, forgiveness, and mutual honor.

Marriage and Mission

Marriage is not just for personal happiness, but for holiness and mission. It displays the gospel, raises godly generations (Malachi 2:15), and serves as a witness to a watching world.

Whether in joy or difficulty, marriage is a sanctifying space — a place to learn humility, grace, and endurance (1 Corinthians 13; Colossians 3:12–14).

The Future Wedding Feast

The story of Scripture ends with a wedding — “the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:7–9). Earthly marriage fades, but the eternal union between Christ and His Bride will last forever.

Every marriage points to this future: a perfect, unbreakable communion with our Savior.

Scripture References

Marriage is a sacred covenant designed by God to reflect His love and faithfulness. Though broken by sin, it is redeemed through Christ — who is the true Bridegroom. In Him, we see the purpose of marriage fulfilled: love that gives, forgives, and endures forever.

We do our best to ensure all content aligns with Scripture, using both AI tools and human review to validate accuracy. However, we’re human — if you notice any errors, please let us know at contact@bibleinshort.com.