Biblical Marriage

Marriage is a sacred institution that has been recognized throughout human history. In the Bible, marriage is defined as a covenantal relationship between one man and one woman that is ordained by God. The first marriage recorded in the Bible is that of Adam and Eve, whom God created and brought together in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:18-25).

According to biblical concepts of what constitutes marriage, both the husband and wife have important responsibilities in the marriage. These responsibilities are outlined in various passages throughout the Bible.

Responsibilities of the Husband:

1. To love his wife sacrificially: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” – Ephesians 5:25
2. To be the head of the household: “For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.” – Ephesians 5:23
3. To honor and respect his wife: “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” – 1 Peter 3:7
4. To provide for his family: “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” – 1 Timothy 5:8
5. To be faithful to his wife: “The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.” – 1 Corinthians 7:3-5

Responsibilities of the Wife:

1. To respect her husband: “However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” – Ephesians 5:33
2. To submit to her husband: “Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.” – Ephesians 5:22-24
3. To love her husband: “Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children.” – Titus 2:3-4
4. To be a helper to her husband: “The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.'” – Genesis 2:18
5. To maintain a gentle and quiet spirit: “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” – 1 Peter 3:3-4

It is important to note that while the Bible outlines specific responsibilities for husbands and wives, it also emphasizes the mutual respect, love, and honor that should exist within the marriage relationship. In fact, the apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 5:21, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” This mutual submission and sacrificial love are key components of a healthy and God-honoring marriage.

In addition to the above responsibilities, the Bible also provides guidance on how to handle conflicts and challenges that may arise within the marriage. For example, Matthew 18:15-17 instructs believers to confront sin in a loving and respectful manner, while Proverbs 15:1 reminds us that a gentle answer can turn away anger. 1 Corinthians 7:2-5 provides guidance on sexual intimacy within the marriage, emphasizing the importance of mutual consent and self-control.

Ultimately, a successful marriage according to biblical principles requires a commitment to God, a willingness to serve one another, and a desire to continually grow in love and respect for one’s spouse. As Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”