According to the Bible, marriage is between one man and one woman. This has been the traditional understanding of marriage for thousands of years, and it is still the understanding held by many people today.
There are a number of verses in the Bible that talk about marriage, and they all point to the fact that God intended it to be between a man and a woman. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at what the Bible says about marriage.
Table of Contents
According to the Bible Marriage is One Man One Woman
What is the First Recorded Marriage in the Bible?
The first recorded marriage in the Bible is between Adam and Eve. Though we don’t know exactly when this took place, it was likely soon after Creation. Marriage is a voluntary covenant between a man and woman, instituted by God, to be lived out for His glory. In Genesis 2:18-25, we see that God created Eve to be a helper suitable for Adam.
This doesn’t mean that she was inferior to him, but rather that she completed him. They were designed to complement each other perfectly. Marriage is intended to reflect the relationship between Christ and the Church.
Just as Christ sacrificed Himself for His bride, the Church, husbands are called to lay down their lives for their wives (Ephesians 5:25). Wives are to submit to their husbands as the Church submits to Christ (Ephesians 5:24). This doesn’t mean that they are inferior, but rather that they have different roles. When these roles are lived out in obedience to God, marriage can be a beautiful picture of His love for us
Biblically Speaking what is Marriage?
Biblically, marriage is defined as the covenant relationship between a man and a woman who become one flesh. This implies that marriage is not just about two individuals living together; rather, it is about two people who are united in every sense of the word.
The Bible says that when a man and woman get married, they “leave” their families and “cleave” to each other. In other words, they become a new family unit, with new responsibilities and commitments.
Marriage is also a public declaration of love and commitment; it is a way of saying to the world, “This person is my partner for life.” Finally, marriage is meant to be a lifetime relationship; it is not something that should be entered into lightly or taken for granted. When two people get married, they are making a vow to God and to each other that they will stay together until death do them part.
In Creation, God created one man (Adam) and One Woman (Eve).
Genesis 1:26-27 tells us, “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all[a] the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” And Genesis 2:18-25 tells us, “And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to[a] him.” Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them.
And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him. And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place.
Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.”
Who gave Eve to Adam?
When we read the story of creation in the book of Genesis, we learn that God created Adam from the dust of the ground and then breathed life into him. Adam was given the task of tending the Garden of Eden, but he soon grew lonely.
In response, God decided to create a helper for Adam. First, he formed all the animals from the earth and brought them before Adam, but none were suitable helpers. Finally, God took a rib from Adam and used it to create Eve.
Some people have interpreted this story to mean that man is superior to woman, but that is not what the Bible teaches. Instead, the story demonstrates that man and woman are equal partners, each with their own unique role to play in God’s plan.
What is the wisdom around one husband and one wife?
There are a few things that we can look to in order to understand the wisdom around one husband and one wife. First, we see that God designed marriage to be a covenant relationship. In Genesis 2:24, we read that a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
This covenant design is repeated throughout Scripture, and it is clear that God intends marriage to be a lifelong commitment. Additionally, we see that marriage is meant to reflect the relationship between Christ and His Church. In Ephesians 5:25-33, Paul writes that husbands should love their wives just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her.
This sacrificial love is at the heart of what marriage is meant to be. Finally, we see that marriage is intended to produce godly offspring. In Genesis 1:28, God tells Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth with righteous offspring.
Clearly, then, marriage is not just about two people being in love; it is also about raising up godly children who will impact the world for Christ. When we understand all of this, it becomes evident that there is a great deal of wisdom around one husband and one wife.
Does the Bible teach Monogamy in the Bible?
While the Bible does not explicitly state that monogamy is required, there are several passages that suggest that it is the God’s ideal for marriage. In Genesis, we see that God created Adam and Eve as husband and wife, and He blessed their union as “very good.” In Matthew 19:4-6, Jesus upholds the monogamous nature of marriage when He quotes from Genesis 2:24.
These passages make it clear that God’s design for marriage is for one man and one woman to be united in a covenant relationship. While polygamy was tolerated in Old Testament times, it was never presented as God’s ideal. In fact, we see that it often led to pain and division (see 1 Kings 11:1-8). For these reasons, it is safe to say that the Bible teaches monogamy as God’s plan for marriage.
Who First introduced Polygamy in the Bible?
Polygamy is first introduced in the Bible in Genesis 4 with the story of Cain and his wife. Cain kills Abel out of jealousy, and is then exiled from the Garden of Eden. He settles in the land of Nod, where he takes a wife and has children.
This is the first instance of polygamy in the Bible, though it is not explicitly called polygamy. The next instance of polygamy occurs in Genesis 16, when Sarah gives her slave girl, Hagar, to Abraham to be his wife after she is unable to have children herself. Once again, this is not explicitly stated as polygamy, but it is implied.
It is not until later in the Bible, specifically in Deuteronomy 21:15-17, that polygamy is directly mentioned as something that is allowed by God. In this passage, it states that if a man has two wives who are sisters and he loves one more than the other, he must give her preferential treatment so that she does not feel jealous. This passage makes it clear that while polygamy is not ideal, it is something that God allows under certain circumstances.
What Difficulties arise in Polygamous Marriages?
While there are some benefits to polygamy, such as having a larger support network and more help with childcare, there are also a number of difficulties that can arise. One of the biggest challenges is dealing with jealousy and envy.
When multiple wives are living in close quarters, it can be easy for them to feel competitive with one another. This can lead to conflict and tension within the marriage. Additionally, polygamy can also be hard on children. Growing up in a polygamous family often means that children have to share their parents’ attention and resources with other siblings.
This can create feelings of insecurity and jealousy. Finally, polygamy can also put strain on financial resources. Having multiple wives often means that a man has to provide for more people than he would in a monogamous marriage. This can be a challenge, especially if there is only one breadwinner in the family.
What 5 Principles does the New Testament Teach on Marriage?
The New Testament contains many verses that teach about marriage. Here are five principles that can be gleaned from these verses:
1. Marriage is a sacred institution ordained by God. This is seen in verses such as Ephesians 5:22-33, where marriage is compared to the relationship between Christ and the church.
2. Marriage is designed to be a lifelong commitment. This is evident in verses like 1 Corinthians 7:39, which state that a husband and wife should remain together “until death parts them.”
3. Marriage should be entered into with wisdom and thoughtfulness. This is counseled in verses like 2 Corinthians 6:14, which urge believers to “not be unequally yoked” with unbelievers.
4. Husbands and wives are to love and respect one another. This is seen in verses like Ephesians 5:25, which instructs husbands to love their wives just as Christ loved the church.
5. Marriage is a gift from God that is to be cherished and nurtured. This is evident in verses like James 1:17, which state that every good and perfect gift comes from above.
Final Thoughts – What the Bible says about One Man and one woman in marriage
- Marriage was Ordained by Lord God (Old Testament) and also Jesus Christ (New Testament)
- Each Wife is to have her Own Husband
- Adam and Eve were made in God’s own Image
- Sexual immorality is avoided by Sex in Marriage
- Apostle Paul also stresses a One Woman Man
- God’s Purposes in Marriage are Love, companionship, and Godly Children
God Bless Greg