Why Marriage Matters to God: The Purpose Of Marriage

What does the Bible say about the purpose of marriage?

The Holy Scriptures reveal to us that marriage is a sacred institution, ordained by God from the very beginning of creation. Its purpose, as illuminated in the pages of the Bible, is multifaceted and powerful.

We see in Genesis that marriage is intended for companionship and mutual support. God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him” (Genesis 2:18). This speaks to the deep human need for intimate relationship and partnership. In marriage, two become one flesh, united in a bond of love and commitment that reflects the very nature of God.

Secondly, the Bible teaches us that marriage is the context for procreation and the nurturing of children. God blessed the first couple, saying, “Be fruitful and increase in number” (Genesis 1:28). Through marriage, we participate in God’s ongoing work of creation, bringing new life into the world and raising children in the knowledge and love of the Lord.

Marriage serves as a safeguard against sexual immorality. As Saint Paul writes, “Since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband” (1 Corinthians 7:2). Marriage provides a holy and sanctified space for the expression of sexual love.

But beyond these practical purposes, we must understand that marriage has a powerful spiritual significance. It is meant to be a living representation of Christ’s relationship with His Church. As the Apostle Paul explains in Ephesians, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a powerful mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church” (Ephesians 5:31-32).

In this light, we see that marriage is intended to be a school of love and holiness. Through the daily sacrifices, forgiveness, and selfless love required in marriage, spouses are called to grow in virtue and draw closer to God. It is a journey of mutual sanctification, where husband and wife help each other on the path to heaven.

How does marriage reflect God’s relationship with the Church?

The sacrament of marriage is a powerful mystery that reflects, in a tangible and living way, the relationship between Christ and His Church. This beautiful analogy, drawn for us by Saint Paul in his letter to the Ephesians, invites us to contemplate the deep spiritual significance of the marital bond.

Let us consider the love of Christ for His Church. It is a love that is total, faithful, and fruitful. Our Lord gave Himself completely for His bride, the Church, even to the point of death on the cross. In the same way, husbands are called to love their wives “just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25). This sacrificial love in marriage becomes a living icon of Christ’s love for us all.

Just as the Church submits to Christ in trust and obedience, wives are called to submit to their husbands (Ephesians 5:22-24). But let us be clear, my friends – this is not a submission of servitude or inequality, but one of love and respect, mirroring the Church’s loving response to Christ’s sacrificial love.

The unity between husband and wife – “and the two will become one flesh” (Ephesians 5:31) – reflects the mystical union between Christ and His Church. In the Eucharist, we become one body with Christ; in marriage, husband and wife become one flesh. Both unions are intimate, unbreakable, and life-giving.

As Christ nurtures and cares for the Church, so too are husbands called to nurture and care for their wives. And as the Church bears fruit through evangelization and works of mercy, so too is marriage called to be fruitful, not only through procreation but also through acts of love and service to the community.

The fidelity of marriage reflects God’s unwavering faithfulness to His people. Despite our failings, God remains ever faithful to His covenant. In the same way, spouses are called to remain faithful to each other through all of life’s joys and challenges, offering a witness to God’s enduring love.

Lastly, let us not forget that marriage, like the relationship between Christ and the Church, is oriented towards eternity. It is a journey of mutual sanctification, helping each other grow in holiness and ultimately leading each other to heaven.

In living out this reflection of Christ and the Church, married couples participate in a great mystery. They become a visible sign of God’s invisible grace, a domestic church where love and faith are nurtured and shared.

Why did God institute marriage in the first place?

To understand why God instituted marriage, we must return to the very dawn of creation, to the Garden of Eden, where our loving Father set in motion His divine plan for humanity.

God instituted marriage as a reflection of His own nature. Our God is not a solitary being, but a communion of Persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – united in perfect love. When God created humanity in His image, He created us for communion. As we read in Genesis, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). Marriage, then, is the primordial expression of our call to communion, mirroring the love and unity within the Holy Trinity.

Secondly, God instituted marriage as the foundation of human society. In the union of man and woman, we see the basic cell of human community. It is within the family, born of marriage, that children are welcomed, nurtured, and taught the ways of love and faith. As Saint John Paul II beautifully expressed, the family is the “first and vital cell of society.”

Marriage was instituted as a partnership of life and love. God created Eve as a “helper suitable” for Adam (Genesis 2:18), indicating that marriage is meant to be a relationship of mutual support, companionship, and shared purpose. In marriage, two become “one flesh” (Genesis 2:24), united in an intimate bond that encompasses all aspects of their lives.

We must also recognize, that God instituted marriage as the proper context for human sexuality and procreation. The command to “be fruitful and increase in number” (Genesis 1:28) was given within the context of the marital union. Through marriage, humanity participates in God’s ongoing work of creation, bringing new life into the world in a stable and loving environment.

Marriage was instituted as a sign of God’s covenant love. Throughout Scripture, God’s relationship with His people is often described in marital terms. The fidelity, intimacy, and fruitfulness of marriage serve as a living metaphor for God’s faithful, intimate, and life-giving love for humanity.

Lastly, and perhaps most profoundly, God instituted marriage as a path to holiness. In the daily giving of oneself to one’s spouse, in the challenges and joys of shared life, married couples are called to grow in love, patience, forgiveness, and all the virtues. Marriage becomes a school of love, where spouses help each other grow closer to God and attain the fullness of their humanity.

Let us marvel at the wisdom and love of our God, who in instituting marriage, provided us with such a beautiful and multifaceted gift. It is a gift that speaks to our deepest needs as human beings, reflects God’s own nature, and serves as a pathway to holiness.

As we contemplate the divine institution of marriage, let us pray for all married couples, that they may grow in appreciation of this great gift and live it out faithfully. And let us, as a Church, continue to support and nurture marriages, recognizing in them the very foundation of human society and a living icon of God’s love for His people.

What are the spiritual benefits of a Christian marriage?

A Christian marriage, rooted in faith and nourished by God’s grace, offers a multitude of spiritual benefits that enrich not only the lives of the spouses but also the entire Body of Christ.

Christian marriage provides a unique opportunity for spiritual growth and sanctification. In the daily dance of love and sacrifice that marriage requires, spouses are called to imitate Christ’s self-giving love. As Saint Paul reminds us, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25). This daily dying to self and living for the other becomes a powerful means of growing in holiness.

Christian marriage offers a powerful experience of God’s unconditional love. In the unwavering commitment of spouses to each other, we glimpse the faithful, enduring love of God for His people. This lived experience of covenant love can deepen one’s understanding of and trust in God’s love, fostering a more intimate relationship with our Creator.

Another spiritual benefit of Christian marriage is the mutual support in faith. Spouses become companions on the journey of faith, encouraging each other in times of doubt, praying together, and sharing spiritual insights. As the book of Ecclesiastes wisely states, “Two are better than one… If either of them falls down, one can help the other up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). This spiritual companionship can lead to a deeper, more resilient faith.

Christian marriage provides a domestic church – a place where faith is lived, taught, and celebrated in the everyday moments of family life. As spouses pray together, read Scripture, and practice Christian virtues in their home, they create a sacred space that nurtures not only their own faith but also that of their children and all who enter their home.

The sacrament of marriage also offers a unique channel of God’s grace. Through their covenant, spouses become conduits of God’s love and grace to each other. This sacramental grace strengthens them to face life’s challenges, to forgive and seek forgiveness, and to grow in love and unity.

Christian marriage offers the spiritual benefit of witnessing to God’s love in the world. A marriage rooted in Christ becomes a visible sign of God’s faithful, fruitful, and self-giving love. In a world often skeptical of lasting commitments, a strong Christian marriage offers powerful testimony to the transformative power of God’s love.

Lastly, let us not forget that Christian marriage provides a foretaste of the heavenly wedding feast. The love and unity experienced in marriage point us towards the ultimate union we will enjoy with God in eternity. As Saint John tells us in Revelation, the Church is the Bride of Christ, and our earthly marriages foreshadow this glorious union.

In light of these powerful spiritual benefits, let us cherish and support Christian marriages in our communities. Let us pray for married couples, that they may fully embrace these spiritual gifts and grow ever deeper in love – with each other and with God. And let us remember that in nurturing strong, faith-filled marriages, we are building up the Church and bringing God’s kingdom a little closer to earth.

May all Christian spouses be open to these spiritual benefits, allowing God’s grace to work in and through their marriages, for their own sanctification and for the building up of the Body of Christ.

How does marriage serve God’s plan for humanity?

Marriage holds a central place in God’s grand design for humanity. From the very beginning, in the Garden of Eden, we see that God’s plan included the union of man and woman. This divine institution serves God’s purposes in manifold ways, weaving together the earthly and the divine in a tapestry of love and grace.

Marriage serves as a reflection of God’s own nature. Our God is a communion of Persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – united in perfect love. In creating humanity in His image, God designed us for relationship, for communion. Marriage, in its ideal form, mirrors this Trinitarian love, showing the world a glimpse of God’s own inner life. As spouses give themselves to each other in total self-gift, they image the self-giving love within the Trinity.

Marriage serves God’s plan by participating in His ongoing work of creation. Through the gift of procreation, married couples become co-creators with God, bringing new life into the world. But this creative aspect goes beyond biological reproduction. Christian marriages are called to be fruitful in many ways – nurturing children in faith, fostering love in their communities, and spreading the Gospel through their witness of faithful love.

Marriage also serves as a school of love and virtue, playing a crucial role in God’s plan for human flourishing. In the daily challenges and joys of married life, spouses learn to grow in patience, forgiveness, selflessness, and all the virtues. This growth in holiness is not just for the benefit of the couple, but serves God’s larger plan of sanctifying all of humanity.

Marriage serves God’s plan by providing a stable foundation for society. The family, born of marriage, is the basic cell of human community. It is within the family that children first learn about love, trust, and faith. As Pope Paul VI beautifully expressed, “The family is, so to speak, the domestic church.” In God’s plan, strong marriages build strong families, which in turn build a society rooted in love and justice.

We must also recognize that marriage serves God’s plan by offering a living metaphor of His covenant relationship with humanity. Throughout Scripture, God’s love for His people is often described in marital terms. The fidelity, intimacy, and fruitfulness of marriage serve as a tangible reminder of God’s faithful, intimate, and life-giving love for each of us. In this way, marriage becomes a powerful tool for evangelization, a visible sign of God’s invisible grace.

Marriage serves God’s plan by providing a context for human sexuality that is in harmony with divine wisdom. In a world that often misunderstands and misuses the gift of sexuality, Christian marriage offers a vision of sexual love that is unitive, procreative, and fully human.

Lastly, and perhaps most profoundly, marriage serves God’s ultimate plan of union with humanity. As Saint Paul tells us, the love between husband and wife is a great mystery that speaks of Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:32). Every Christian marriage, therefore, becomes a sign pointing towards the ultimate “wedding feast of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:9), when God and humanity will be perfectly united in love.

What role does marriage play in spiritual growth and sanctification?

Marriage, is a sacred covenant that plays a vital role in the spiritual growth and sanctification of the spouses. It is a school of love where husband and wife learn to give of themselves completely to one another and to God. As Pope John Paul II beautifully expressed, marriage is a “primordial sacrament” – a living sign of God’s love for humanity and Christ’s love for the Church.

In the daily joys and challenges of married life, spouses have countless opportunities to grow in virtue, to practice patience, forgiveness, and selfless love(Jing, 2022). The commitment of marriage calls us beyond our own desires and comforts, teaching us to put the needs of our spouse and family before our own. In this way, marriage becomes a path of conversion and sanctification, gradually transforming us to become more like Christ in His self-giving love.

The intimate union of husband and wife reflects the communion of love within the Holy Trinity. As spouses grow in unity with one another, they also grow closer to God, Who is the source and model of their love(Fallahchai et al., 2021). The grace of the sacrament of matrimony sustains and strengthens couples in their journey of faith, helping them to overcome difficulties and grow in holiness together.

Marriage also provides a unique context for spiritual growth through the shared practices of prayer, worship, and service. When spouses pray together and encourage one another in faith, they create a domestic church where God’s presence is tangibly felt(Jing, 2022). The mutual support and accountability within marriage can inspire greater commitment to spiritual disciplines and virtuous living.

The challenges and sacrifices inherent in married life and raising a family offer powerful opportunities for growth in humility, patience, and trust in God’s providence. As spouses learn to die to self for the sake of their beloved and their children, they participate more fully in the paschal mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection(Fallahchai et al., 2021).

How does marriage fulfill God’s command to “be fruitful and multiply”?

The divine command to “be fruitful and multiply” given to our first parents, Adam and Eve, finds a powerful and multifaceted fulfillment in the sacrament of marriage. This command is not merely about biological reproduction, but encompasses the full flowering of human life and love in all its dimensions.

Marriage provides the ideal context for welcoming new life into the world. The mutual self-giving love of husband and wife, when open to life, becomes a channel through which God’s creative power flows(Chintalapudi et al., 2016). In conceiving and bearing children, married couples participate in a unique way in God’s ongoing work of creation. They become co-creators with God, bringing forth new persons made in His image and likeness.

But we must understand that fruitfulness in marriage goes beyond simply having many children. The command to “be fruitful” also refers to the nurturing and formation of children in faith, virtue, and love(Chintalapudi et al., 2016). Christian parents are called to be the first and primary educators of their children, creating a domestic church where faith is lived and passed on to future generations. In this way, marriage contributes to the growth and multiplication of God’s family on earth.

The fruitfulness of marriage extends to the wider community and society. A loving and stable marriage provides a foundation for social flourishing, as it forms persons capable of authentic love and commitment(Chintalapudi et al., 2016). The values and virtues learned in family life ripple outward, contributing to the common good and the building up of a civilization of love.

We must also recognize, that not all couples are able to have biological children. Yet their marriages can still be abundantly fruitful in other ways. Through adoption, foster care, or other forms of spiritual parenthood, these couples can provide loving homes to children in need. the mutual love and support of spouses can bear fruit in works of charity, hospitality, and service to others(Chintalapudi et al., 2016).

In a spiritual sense, the command to “multiply” is fulfilled when married couples grow in holiness and lead others to Christ through their witness of faithful love. As Pope Paul VI taught in Humanae Vitae, “Marriage and conjugal love are by their nature ordained toward the begetting and educating of children. Children are really the supreme gift of marriage and contribute very substantially to the welfare of their parents.”

What does the Bible teach about the complementary roles of husband and wife?

The Sacred Scriptures offer us a rich and nuanced understanding of the complementary roles of husband and wife in marriage. While recognizing the equal dignity of man and woman as created in God’s image, the Bible also speaks of their distinct yet harmonious roles within the marital covenant.

We must understand that the relationship between husband and wife is meant to reflect the relationship between Christ and the Church. As Saint Paul teaches in his letter to the Ephesians, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25). This powerful analogy reveals that the husband is called to a sacrificial love that mirrors Christ’s self-giving love for His bride, the Church(Fallahchai et al., 2021).

At the same time, wives are exhorted to “submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:22). But we must be careful not to misinterpret this teaching as promoting subservience or inequality. Rather, it speaks to a mutual submission of both spouses to one another out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21). The wife’s role is to support and respect her husband’s leadership, just as the Church responds to Christ’s love with trust and cooperation(Fallahchai et al., 2021).

The Bible presents marriage as a partnership where husband and wife complement and complete one another. In the creation account, God says, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him” (Genesis 2:18). The Hebrew word for “helper” (ezer) does not imply inferiority, but rather a strong ally who supplies what is lacking. Thus, husband and wife are designed to work together, each bringing their unique strengths and perspectives to the relationship(Jing, 2022).

Scripture also speaks of shared responsibilities within marriage. Both spouses are called to love, honor, and cherish one another (Ephesians 5:33, 1 Peter 3:7). They are to be faithful to one another (Proverbs 5:18-19), to forgive one another (Colossians 3:13), and to build their home together (Proverbs 14:1). In matters of intimacy, the Bible teaches mutual rights and responsibilities (1 Corinthians 7:3-5).

While recognizing these shared duties, the Bible does speak of some distinct roles. Husbands are called to loving leadership, protection, and provision for their families (Ephesians 5:23, 1 Timothy 5:8). Wives are praised for their nurturing qualities and management of the household (Proverbs 31:10-31, Titus 2:4-5). But these roles should not be seen as rigid or exclusive, but as general patterns that may be lived out differently according to each couple’s circumstances and gifts(Jing, 2022).

It is crucial to understand that the biblical teaching on marital roles is not about power or superiority, but about mutual service and love. As Jesus taught His disciples, true greatness lies in serving others (Mark 10:42-45). In marriage, both husband and wife are called to lay down their lives for one another and for their family, following the example of Christ.

How can marriage be a witness to God’s love in the world?

Marriage has a powerful capacity to be a living witness to God’s love in our world. Through their faithful commitment and self-giving love, married couples become visible signs of God’s covenant love for humanity and Christ’s love for the Church.

The permanence and exclusivity of marriage reflect God’s faithful and unconditional love. When spouses remain true to their vows “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health,” they demonstrate a love that endures through all circumstances(Jing, 2022). This steadfast commitment, especially in the face of difficulties, becomes a powerful testimony to a world often marked by fleeting relationships and broken promises.

The mutual self-giving of spouses mirrors the self-emptying love of Christ, who “loved us and gave himself up for us” (Ephesians 5:2). When husbands and wives consistently put each other’s needs before their own, they incarnate Christ’s sacrificial love in a tangible way(Fallahchai et al., 2021). This radical self-gift stands in stark contrast to the individualism and self-centeredness so prevalent in our society.

The fruitfulness of married love, whether through bearing and raising children or through other forms of generativity, reflects God’s life-giving love. Open to life and dedicated to nurturing their children in faith and virtue, Christian families become domestic churches where God’s love is experienced and shared(Jing, 2022). As Pope Francis has said, “The family is the first school of human values, where we learn the wise use of freedom.”

The forgiveness and reconciliation that are essential to married life witness to God’s merciful love. When spouses humbly acknowledge their faults, seek forgiveness, and work to heal wounds in their relationship, they demonstrate the power of God’s grace to restore and renew(Fallahchai et al., 2021). This witness of mercy and reconciliation is desperately needed in our world torn by division and resentment.

Christian marriages also bear witness to God’s love through their hospitality and service to others. When couples open their homes and hearts to those in need, they extend Christ’s love beyond their family circle. As Saint John Paul II taught, “The family has the mission to guard, reveal and communicate love.”

The joy and peace that flow from a loving marriage can be a powerful evangelizing force. When others see the genuine happiness and fulfillment of a couple living out their vocation faithfully, it attracts them to the source of that joy – God’s love(Jing, 2022). As Saint Paul VI said, “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.”

The unity of spouses from different backgrounds or cultures can be a particularly striking witness in our divided world. When a couple overcomes differences to forge a loving union, they demonstrate the power of God’s love to reconcile and unite(Fallahchai et al., 2021). This witness of unity in diversity reflects the communion of the Church and offers hope for peace and understanding among all peoples.

Finally, as spouses grow old together, their enduring love and care for one another in the face of aging and illness becomes a poignant testimony to the dignity of human life and the beauty of committed love. This witness challenges a throwaway culture that often devalues the elderly and infirm.

What are God’s intentions for intimacy and sexuality within marriage?

God’s intentions for intimacy and sexuality within marriage are powerful and beautiful, reflecting His wisdom and love for humanity. Sexuality is a precious gift from our Creator, designed to be expressed within the covenant of marriage as a source of unity, joy, and life.

We must understand that sexual intimacy in marriage is meant to be a physical expression of the total self-giving love between husband and wife. As the Book of Genesis tells us, “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). This “one flesh” union is a powerful symbol of the complete gift of self that characterizes marital love(Fallahchai et al., 2021).

God intends marital intimacy to be a source of deep joy and pleasure for the couple. The Song of Songs celebrates the beauty of married love in poetic language, affirming the goodness of sexual desire within marriage. As Saint John Paul II taught in his Theology of the Body, the attraction between man and woman is part of God’s original plan, reflecting the communion of love within the Holy Trinity(Jing, 2022).

At the same time, sexuality in marriage is oriented towards procreation. God’s first command to humanity was to “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). The Church teaches that the unitive and procreative aspects of marital sexuality are inseparably connected. This does not mean that every act of intercourse must result in conception, but rather that couples should remain open to the possibility of new life as a fruit of their love(Fallahchai et al., 2021).

But we must remember that intimacy in marriage goes beyond the physical act. God intends marital sexuality to be an expression of total personal communion – a union of body, mind, and spirit. True intimacy involves vulnerability, trust, and mutual self-revelation. As spouses grow in emotional and spiritual intimacy, their physical union becomes even more meaningful and fulfilling(Jing, 2022).

God’s plan for marital sexuality also includes mutual respect and consideration. Saint Paul teaches that “the husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband” (1 Corinthians 7:3). This reciprocity emphasizes that sexual intimacy should be a mutual gift, not a selfish taking. Spouses are called to be attentive to each other’s needs and desires, always acting with love and respect(Fallahchai et al., 2021).

God intends marital intimacy to be exclusive and faithful. The commitment of marriage provides the security and trust necessary for the full expression of sexuality. This exclusivity reflects God’s faithful love and helps to build a strong foundation for family life(Jing, 2022).

It is important to note that God’s plan for sexuality in marriage is not limited to the young or physically perfect. The intimacy of married love can be expressed in various ways throughout the different stages of life, always maintaining its dignity and beauty. Even when physical intimacy becomes difficult or impossible due to age or illness, the spiritual and emotional intimacy of the couple can continue to deepen(Fallahchai et al., 2021).

We must also recognize that sexuality in marriage is meant to be a source of healing and grace. In a world often marked by sexual brokenness and exploitation, the faithful love of Christian spouses can be a powerful witness to the true meaning and dignity of human sexuality(Jing, 2022).

Finally, let us remember that marital intimacy is meant to draw the couple closer not only to each other but also to God. As spouses give themselves to one another in love, they participate in the creative and unifying power of God’s love. Their intimate union becomes a living sign of Christ’s love for the Church, helping them to grow in holiness and draw nearer to the source of all love(Fallahchai et al., 2021).

Let us give thanks for the beautiful gift of sexuality within marriage. May Christian couples, with the help of God’s grace, live out this gift according to His loving plan, finding in their intimate union a source of joy, life, and sanctification. And may their witness help our world to rediscover the true beauty and dignity of human sexuality as God intended.