Marriage: Part 3

By Don Krow with updates from Eileen Plemmons

In Parts 1 and 2 of “Marriage”, we looked at the “why” of being married; but what exactly is marriage anyway?

Part of a definition for marriage is “a joining together, a oneness, a uniting”. However, marriage is more than that as seen in 1 Corinthians 6:16. Apostle Paul warns; “Aren’t you aware of the fact that when anyone sleeps with a prostitute, he becomes a part of her, and she becomes a part of him? For it has been declared: ‘The two become a single body.’” (TPT) This is a reference to Genesis 2:24, and Paul is referring to an intimate relationship with someone you’re NOT married to.

These relationships cause an interpersonal union that goes beyond a physical relationship. If you’ve experienced this, you know what he’s referring to. So, marriage is more than a joining together, a oneness, a uniting. Marriage is a uniting together by a “covenant”.

What is a “covenant”?

In Hebrew the word is “B E R I T H” and has the idea of binding together. It’s a commitment by an individual, till death. The essence of marriage is to first forsake all others.

In Ephesians 5:22-26 we get a clearer picture; wives are to be devoted to their husbands – that is, allowing your husband to provide leadership in the same way we allow Christ to lead us spiritually.

The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves His Bride, the church; with tender devotion, sacrificing himself for her. Love is the ruling principle in marriage.

In 1 Peter 3:7 we learn that disunity can cause our spiritual lives to be hindered. In Proverbs 2:16-17 we are warned against adultery and encouraged to choose wisdom because we are in a covenant agreement with our spouse, AND God.

Now, look at the above brief descriptions of wives and husbands. Can we honestly say as wives that we are “devoted” to our husband in this way? Can husbands say, “I am loving my wife” in this way? If not, this is a GREAT place to start if we are married wanting a better marriage, or thinking of being married and wanting a wonderful marriage!

Questions to ponder:

• Ephesians 5:32 What do you think God is really talking about in this passage?

• 1 Peter 3:7 Why should we walk in unity and love toward our spouse?

  
  

Join us next month for the conclusion of “Marriage”, Part 4.

For a deeper Bible study on these and other topics, please visit my YouTube channel: