What is the purpose of marriage?

from the old testament

• After God created Adam and placed him in the garden of Eden, He said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him" (Genesis 2:18). None of the animals would be a suitable helper; Adam needed someone also made in God's image. So God created Eve, from Adam’s rib as his helper, comforter, and companion. This was the first marriage.
• Another purpose of marriage is to produce godly offspring (Malachi 2:15). Marriage brings a sense of stability in the home and one where our children can feel safe, loved, and prosper.
• Proverbs 18:22 says, "He who finds a wife [or husband] finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD." Indeed, marriage is a gift from God and filled with purpose.

from the new testament

• Jesus referenced Genesis when the Pharisees asked Him about divorce: "He answered, 'Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate'" (Matthew 19:4-6). Marriage is a union in which two different people—male and female—who both bear the image of God are united and become one. In a marriage, the partners are meant to complement one another, each bringing different things to the relationship and yet becoming as one.
• Second Corinthians 6:14 indicates that the best marriage is between two believers. God's desire for this holy marriage and offspring is so that we can continue to share the Good News, proclaiming our faith.
• The Bible paints a beautiful picture of what marriage should look like, but as sinners, we will stumble. There will be arguments, difficulties, and trials. As believers, if we keep God at the center of our marriage, He can help us navigate these difficulties in a way that brings Him glory. Marriage will teach us to listen to others, to rid ourselves of selfishness, and to love others, just as God loves us (John 13:34-35). Marriage is fertile ground for God's work of sanctification. If we can come together and discuss our shortcomings and then lift them to God in prayer, He will lead us. Our marriage will thrive.
• In a world that is full of sexual temptations, marriage also protects us. Having a husband or wife gives us the security of a committed sexual relationship that is healthier than the alternative (1 Corinthians 7:2). Any sexual relations or temptations outside of marriage will often lead to destruction emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually (Hebrews 13:4; see also Proverbs 6:27-29).
• Marriage is also a picture of Christ and His Church (Ephesians 5:21-33). In part, this is what makes sexual sin such a big issue. God is completely faithful to us and calls us to be completely faithful both to Him and to our spouse. Marriage is thought to be a holy institution because it was created at the beginning. The image of marriage related to Christ, and the church also helps us understand why marriage is distinct and to be honored.

implications for today

Marriage is not just a romantic arrangement—it is a covenant designed by God to reflect His love, faithfulness, and unity. At its core, the purpose of marriage is to glorify God by mirroring the relationship between Christ and the church. This means marriage is more than mutual affection; it is a lifelong commitment to serve, sacrifice, and grow together in holiness. When we embrace God’s vision and His purposes for marriage, we stop seeing it as a way to fulfill personal needs and begin to see it as a calling to love selflessly, forgive endlessly, and build a life rooted in truth and grace.

This challenges how we prepare for, enter into, and live out our marriages. Whether we are single, engaged, or already married, we must ask: Am I pursuing a relationship that honors God’s design? Am I becoming the kind of person who will reflect Christ’s love in every interaction? A marriage grounded in God's purposes allows a couple to thrive—and not only them but also their family and community. When we live according to God’s plan, we step into something far greater than a partnership—we become a living picture of the gospel.