During last Sunday’s service, the sermon focused on the topic of marriage in Christianity, and the preacher briefly discussed its symbolic significance in the Bible, piquing my interest. This led me to conduct further research, where I discovered that many Christians are also curious about the symbolism and meaning of marriage in the Bible. As a result, the question that arose was, “What does marriage symbolize in the Bible?”.
Marriage in the Bible symbolizes the covenantal relationship between God and His people, as well as the union between Christ and the Church. This is supported by verses such as Genesis 2:24, Ephesians 5:22-33, and Revelation 19:7-9, which speak of the joining of man and woman as one flesh and the sacrificial love and unity demonstrated by Christ and the Church. Theological studies also emphasize the importance of marriage as a reflection of God’s love and faithfulness toward His people.
In this post, I invite you to join me as we delve into the topic of marriage and its symbolism in the Bible. Also, if you’re interested in learning the biblical definition of marriage, God’s requirement for marriage, its purpose according to the Bible, and so much more, read on.
What does the Bible say about marriage?
The Bible emphasizes that marriage is an essential and sacred institution, from the very beginning, in the Book of Genesis, where God creates man and woman and commands them to be fruitful and multiply. This lays the foundation for the biblical view of marriage as a union between one man and one woman. The Bible also implies that marriage symbolizes the relationship between God and us, as suggested in verses such as Hosea 2:19-20 and Ephesians 5:22-33, which describe the sacrificial love and unity demonstrated by Christ and the Church. Additionally, the Bible suggests that marriage is a lifelong commitment, as implied in Malachi 2:16, where God says He despises divorce.
In addition to emphasizing the importance of marriage, the Bible also warns against sexual immorality and infidelity. 1 Corinthians 7:2 teaches that sexual relations should only occur within the context of marriage, and Proverbs 5:18-19 emphasizes the importance of being faithful to one’s spouse. Furthermore, the Bible encourages couples to seek God’s guidance and wisdom in their marriage. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 also describes the love that can guide couples in their relationship with one another.
What Is the Biblical Definition of Marriage?
The Biblical definition of marriage is the union of one man and one woman in a covenantal relationship that is recognized by God, as suggested in Genesis 2:24, which emphasizes the importance of the bond between a husband and wife as a union that is ordained by God. Also, 1 Corinthians 7:2-4 speaks of the physical and emotional union that is part of this covenant. The New Testament defines marriage as a reflection of Christ’s love for the Church, as suggested in Ephesians 5:22-33, which emphasizes the mutual love and respect that should exist within the marriage covenant. The Biblical definition of marriage also emphasizes the importance of sexual purity and faithfulness, as implied in Hebrews 13:4, which speaks of the sanctity of the marriage bed. Theological studies have also reinforced the Biblical definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman. The early Church Fathers and many Christian scholars throughout history have emphasized the importance of marriage as a sacrament that reflects the love and unity of God.
Bible verses about marriage
Aside from the Bible verses discussed earlier, other Scriptures that talk about marriage include Malachi 2:14-16, which describes marriage as a covenant between a man and a woman that’s sacred and should be honored and protected. Also, Proverbs 18:22 talks about marriage, emphasizing the importance of finding a spouse who’s a good match and a gift from God.
Colossians 3:18-19 also talks about marriage instructing wives to submit to their husbands and husbands to love their wives, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and sacrificial love. Also, Proverbs 31:10-31 describes the qualities of a virtuous wife and emphasizes the importance of mutual respect, trust, and support within the marriage covenant. Additionally, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 emphasizes the strength and support that can be found in a close, loving relationship between spouses and the importance of working together towards common goals. Finally, the entire book of Song of Solomon is a poetic celebration of the joys and challenges of married love, emphasizing the beauty and intimacy that can be found within the marriage covenant.
What are God’s requirements for marriage?
God has several requirements for marriage, including commitment. God’s design for marriage is that it’s a lifelong commitment between one man and one woman that should be rooted in a deep sense of love and mutual respect. Another requirement for marriage from God is fidelity. The Bible emphasizes the importance of sexual fidelity within the marriage covenant, as implied in Proverbs 5:15-20, which warns against the dangers of adultery, and 1 Corinthians 6:18, which instructs believers to “flee from sexual immorality.” Sexual intimacy within marriage is celebrated in passages such as Song of Solomon but is always intended to be expressed within the boundaries of the marriage covenant.
Mutual respect and honor between spouses is another requirement for marriage from God, as implied in Ephesians 5:33, which instructs husbands to love their wives as they love themselves, and the wives to respect their husbands. Another requirement for marriage from God is sacrificial love, as implied in Philippians 2:3-4.
5 symbolic meanings of marriage in the Bible
Some of the symbolic meanings of marriage in the Bible include;
Covenantal Union
As mentioned earlier, marriage in the Bible is often seen as a union between a man and a woman, which is a reflection of the relationship between God and His children. In the marriage union, both partners commit to loving, serving, and cherishing each other for the rest of their lives, just as God is committed to his people.
Unity and Oneness
Marriage in the Bible is also symbolic of the unity and oneness that believers share not only with their spouses but also with Christ. Marriage is meant to create a deep bond and a sense of unity between two individuals, such that they become one entity in the eyes of God, and this oneness is not only physical but also emotional, spiritual, and intellectual.
Fruitfulness
Marriage in the Bible is often associated with the idea of fruitfulness, both in terms of physical offspring and spiritual fruitfulness, as implied in passages like John 15:5, which describes believers as being able to bear fruit only through their union with Christ.
Sanctification
Marriage in the Bible is also symbolic of the sanctification process that believers undergo as they grow in their relationship with Christ as well as their spouses. This is emphasized by husbands as being called to love their wives as Christ loved the church, to sanctify and cleanse them.
Divine Love
Finally, marriage in the Bible is symbolic of the divine love that God has for his people. This is emphasized in passages such as Song of Solomon, which describes the passionate love between a husband and wife as a reflection of the love between God and believers, according to most Theologians.
5 biblical reasons for marriage
Some of the biblical reasons for marriage include;
Companionship
One of the primary reasons for marriage in the Bible is companionship, as implied in Genesis 2:18 when God declared that it was not good for man, Adam, to be alone, and so he created a helper, Eve, suitable for him. Marriage provides companionship and support for both spouses.
Procreation
Another reason for marriage in the Bible is procreation, as suggested in Genesis 1:28 when God blessed Adam and Eve and commanded them to be fruitful and multiply. Marriage provides a framework for the creation of new life and the continuation of the human race.
Sexual fulfillment
The Bible teaches that sexual intimacy is a gift from God within the context of marriage, and in 1 Corinthians 7:2-5, Paul instructs husbands and wives to fulfill their sexual desires within the marriage relationship as a way of avoiding sexual immorality.
Spiritual growth
Marriage is also a means of spiritual growth and sanctification. According to most theologians, the Bible suggests that marriage can be a vehicle for personal growth, as spouses work together to become more Christlike.
Partnership in ministry
Another reason for marriage in the Bible is a partnership in ministry. As suggested in 1 Peter 3:7, husbands are instructed to live with their wives in an understanding way so that their prayers may not be hindered. Together, spouses can serve God and minister to others in a way that they may not be able to do alone.
What is the purpose of marriage according to the Bible?
As discussed earlier, according to the Bible in Ephesians 5:25, one of the purposes of marriage is mutual support and love. Marriage provides a context for mutual support and love, a key aspect of a healthy union. Another purpose of marriage, according to the Bible, is for spiritual growth, as suggested in 1 Corinthians 7:14, where it’s said that the unbelieving spouse is sanctified through the believing spouse. This means that marriage can be a means of helping one another grow closer to God.
Additionally, the ultimate purpose of marriage, according to the Bible, is to reflect the relationship between Christ and the Church as discussed before, and as implied in Ephesians 5:31-32, where it’s said that marriage is a “profound mystery” that refers to Christ and the Church. According to theologians, this means that marriage isn’t just about two individuals coming together but about pointing to something greater. Finally, another purpose of marriage, according to the Bible, is to build a godly legacy, as implied in Psalm 127:3-5. This means that marriage is an opportunity to pass on a godly heritage to future generations.
Why is marriage so important?
According to many Christian scholars and theologians, marriage is important as it’s a reflection of God’s relationship with His people. In the Bible, God often refers to His relationship with His people as a marriage, as is evident in the book of Hosea, where God tells Hosea to marry an unfaithful woman as a symbol of His relationship with Israel, showing that marriage isn’t just a human institution, but it also has a spiritual dimension.
Marriage is also important as it’s the foundation of the family, as interpreted from Genesis when God creates Eve to be a helper for Adam and commands them to be fruitful and multiply. Theologians support this suggesting that the family is the basic unit of society, and marriage is the foundation of the family.
Additionally, marriage is important as it’s a picture of Christ’s relationship with the church, as mentioned earlier. In Ephesians, Paul says that husbands should love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, meaning that marriage is a representation of the love and sacrifice that Christ has for believers. Marriage is important because it’s also a covenant between two people and God. This makes the union a sacred institution that’s to be taken seriously and isn’t to be entered into lightly. Finally, according to most scholars, marriage is crucial as it’s also a way to glorify God.
How many times can one get married, according to the Bible?
The Bible does not explicitly state how many times a person can get married. However, it does clearly state that God is against divorce, suggesting that one can get married only once in their lifetime. It’s important to note that the Bible does provide a few circumstances where one can get divorced and remarry. The concept of not divorcing a spouse is implied in verses like Matthew 19:3-9, Mark 10:2-12, and 1 Corinthians 7:10-11. Based on these verses, it‘s clear that the Bible emphasizes the lifelong commitment to marriage and discourages divorce and remarriage, except in cases of sexual immorality. However, it doesn’t provide a specific number of times that a person can get married. Ultimately, it’s up to each individual and their circumstances to discern how many times they should marry.
Additionally, some theologians argue that getting married multiple times can be seen as evidence of a lack of commitment or instability, which can lead to difficulties in relationships and in honoring God’s design for marriage. However, there’s also recognition that people may face difficult circumstances or may have made mistakes in the past that led to multiple marriages. Ultimately, the Bible emphasizes the importance of seeking guidance and wisdom from God in making decisions about marriage and being faithful and committed to one’s spouse to honor God’s design for the institution of marriage.
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.