Biblical Answer

The Purpose of Marriage According to the Bible

The purpose of marriage according to the Bible is multifaceted and rooted in God's design for humanity. The first purpose of marriage is relationship or fellowship, oneness, wholeness, and love. This is evident in the creation account, where God says, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him" (Genesis 2:18). This indicates that God created Adam as a male, but he was incomplete without a companion. The purpose of marriage is to provide a deep and meaningful relationship between two people, one that reflects the love and unity of the Trinity.

The Bible also emphasizes that marriage is a friendship, a covenant between two people that is meant to be a lifelong commitment. This is evident in the way that marriage is portrayed as a union between Christ and his church (Ephesians 5:22-23). The purpose of marriage is not just to provide companionship or to satisfy our desires, but to help each other become our future glory-selves, the new creations that God will eventually make us. This means that marriage is a journey of growth and sanctification, where we learn to love and serve each other as we learn to love and serve God.

In addition to its role in providing a deep and meaningful relationship, the Bible also portrays marriage as a means of propagating the human race and reflecting God's design for humanity. The Bible teaches that marriage is a sacred institution that is ordained by God, and that it is meant to be a lifelong commitment between one man and one woman. This means that marriage is not just a social or emotional institution, but a spiritual one that reflects God's character and design for humanity. As such, the purpose of marriage according to the Bible is to reflect God's love and unity, and to provide a means of growing in Christian character and maturity.