With all its challenges, why even consider marriage?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Marriage is not merely a social arrangement but a divine institution established by God at creation (Genesis 2:18-24). It is a covenant relationship between one man and one woman and was designed for companionship, mutual help, intimacy, and the raising of children (Malachi 2:14-15; Proverbs 18:22). The Bible affirms that marriage is good and honorable (Hebrews 13:4), even though it requires sacrifice and perseverance.

In the New Testament, marriage is given greater meaning as it becomes a picture of Christ’s relationship with the church (Ephesians 5:25-33). Husbands are called to love their wives sacrificially as Jesus loves the church (Ephesians 5:25). Likewise, wives are called to respect their husbands (Ephesians 5:33). While the Bible also recognizes singleness as a gift (1 Corinthians 7:7-8), marriage remains a God-given context for love, service, and growth in holiness. Biblical marriage values the purposes for which God created it—purposes that bring blessing, sanctification, and the opportunity to reflect His covenant love.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Marriage is introduced in the creation account as God’s remedy for Adam’s aloneness. God declared that it was not good for man to be alone and made a helper fit for him, uniting Adam and Eve in a one-flesh relationship (Genesis 2:18-24). This union is presented as companionship and partnership in fulfilling God’s command to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28).
• Other passages portray marriage as a blessing from God. Proverbs speaks of finding a good wife as receiving favor from the LORD (Proverbs 18:22) and celebrates the joy of marital love (Proverbs 5:18-19). The Song of Solomon goes further, delighting in the beauty, intimacy, and exclusivity of the marital relationship.
• Marriage also strengthened families and communities. Through it, God’s covenant people were preserved and His promises to Abraham were carried forward to future generations (Genesis 17:7-8). Though marriages could be tested by sin, God’s design remained constant: a covenant bond rooted in faithfulness, trust, and mutual care.
• Marriage also provided a setting in which God’s people could express covenant loyalty to Him through faithfulness to one another. In Malachi 2:14-16, God rebukes unfaithfulness in marriage, showing that how a couple treats one another is inseparably tied to their worship of Him. Honoring God was—and remains—a central reason to enter into and uphold marriage.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The New Testament affirms the goodness of marriage while also placing it in the larger context of the gospel. Jesus pointed back to the creation account to affirm marriage as a divine union that God Himself joins together permanently (Matthew 19:4-6).
• Paul expands the purpose of marriage by likening it to the relationship between Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:22-33). In this analogy, the husband’s sacrificial love reflects Christ’s love for His people, and the wife’s respect mirrors the church’s submission to Christ. Marriage, thus, becomes a living testimony of the gospel.
• The New Testament also acknowledges the realities of sin and difficulty in marriage, offering guidance for resolving conflict, fulfilling roles, and persevering in love (Colossians 3:18-19; 1 Peter 3:1-7).
• While some, like the apostle Paul, are called to singleness for the sake of undivided devotion to the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:32-35), marriage remains a God-ordained context for growth in holiness, service, and joy.
• Marriage is also presented as a safeguard for moral purity. Paul teaches that sexual intimacy belongs within marriage and that this bond protects against sexual immorality while providing for mutual fulfillment (1 Corinthians 7:2-5). This gives marriage both a spiritual and practical purpose in helping believers honor God with their bodies.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

In a world where marriage is often treated as optional or disposable (or even redefinable), Scripture reminds us that it is a gift God has given to men and women and, therefore, worth valuing and protecting. Marriage is more than an avenue to personal happiness—it is a calling to demonstrate covenant faithfulness, sacrificial love, and mutual service.

If you are married, your relationship is an opportunity to display the self-giving love of Christ to your spouse and to the watching world. Challenges will come, but they can become occasions for deeper trust in God, greater humility, and stronger unity.

If you are single, considering marriage should involve prayerful reflection on God’s design and purposes. Marriage is not the only path to a fruitful life, but it is one of God’s primary ways to sanctify His people and extend His blessings.

Above all, whether married or not, every believer’s ultimate hope is found in Christ, the true Bridegroom. For those who belong to Him, marriage points forward to the eternal joy of being united with Him forever.

UNDERSTAND

• Marriage is God’s covenant for companionship, mutual support, and raising children.
• Marriage reflects Christ’s love for the church through sacrificial love and mutual respect.
• Even with its challenges, marriage is a gift that provides mutual encouragement, growth, and companionship.

REFLECT

• What has shaped your view of marriage?
• If you are married, how are you cultivating sacrificial love, respect, and faithfulness with your spouse, even when challenges arise?
• How does your understanding of marriage as a reflection of Christ’s love for the church influence the way you approach the topic?

ENGAGE

• How can marriage serve as a testimony of God’s covenant love in a world that often treats it as optional, self-fulfilling, or temporary?
• What can couples do to ensure that they remember and uphold their marriage as a good and purposeful gift from God?
• How does viewing marriage as beneficial for the people involved as well as the larger community change our approach to family and community life?