Marriage From The Christian Perspective

• The Biblical Purposes Of Marriage:

          -For human reproduction (Genesis 1:28)
          -Love and companionship (Genesis 2:18)

• Biblical Description of Marriage: 

          -"And He answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE", and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'?" (Matthew 19:4-5)

• Biblical Responsibilities Of The Husband:

          -According to the Bible, the husband is supposed to show loving leadership over his family (1 Timothy 5:8; 1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:25; Colossians 3:19). In other words, he is to exercise authority over his household, be responsible, and thus provide for the needs of the household. The man is meant to be the head of the household.

• The Functions Of The Wife:

          -The wife is supposed to be the manager of the home, but under the care of the husband (lower not in essence but positionally). For example, she is supposed to care for whatever children are born in wedlock (Titus 2:4-5; 1 Timothy 2:15; 5:14). The wife is free to take on other responsibilities, as long as they do not interfere with her assigned duties and distract the husband from fulfilling his responsibilities.

• Submission To The Husband Does Not Equal Inferiority Or Lack Of Dignity:

          -Women are not in any way intellectually subordinate in nature or worthy of less respect than men. In other words, both genders posses equal intrinsic value because they were both created in the image and likeness of God. Women are not merely slaves or indentured servants. Women have their own thoughts. They have the same inherent rights and dignity as men. Wives have been called to be voluntarily submissive to their husbands. This "obedience" actually points to the closeness of the two partners in marriage. It is the sharing of a mutual goal; a romantic partnership. It represents the different responsibilities that both leading figures of the family have.

• The Necessity Of Compromise:

          -In order for a marriage to be successful, both partners must agree to fulfill the necessary obligations that have been assigned to them by God. There has to be necessary conditions for the husband and wife to abide by, for the household cannot stand in a state of contention. One person cannot realistically be expected to complete a job which requires working with other people. Men and women are limited by bodily design. Marriage involves personal accountability. Marriage is based on commitment of the spouses to each other. Marriage is based on self-sacrifice.