Biblical Answer

The Concept of "One Flesh" in the Bible

The concept of "one flesh" in the Bible refers to the personal union of a man and woman at all levels of their lives. This union is not just physical, but also legal and spiritual. In Genesis 2:24, God creates Eve and brings her to Adam, and the word is clear: "The two shall be one flesh." This is a profound theme in the Bible, and it is echoed in the Song of Songs. The concept of "one flesh" is not just about physical intimacy, but about the unity of substance between a man and woman.

Biblical Definition of Marriage

The scriptural definition of marriage serves as the basis of the "one flesh" remarks. In Genesis 2:24, the phrase "one flesh" (in Hebrew, Bosor Echod) refers to the personal union of a man and woman. This union is not just about physical intimacy, but about the unity of substance between a man and woman. The Bible teaches that when a man and woman get married, they become one flesh, and this union is considered a single organism.

Spiritual Union

The concept of "one flesh" is also used to describe the spiritual union between Christ and the church. In Ephesians 5:28-32, Paul writes that this mystery is a profound one, and he is saying that it refers to Christ and the church. The union between Christ and the church is a spiritual union, and it is a union of substance. Just as a man and woman become one flesh in marriage, Christ and the church become one in their spiritual union. This union is not just about physical intimacy, but about the unity of substance between Christ and the church.