Marriage is a sacred institution ordained by God. Hebrews 13:4 says, “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” This verse teaches us several important truths about marriage:
1. Marriage is Honorable
The Bible calls marriage “honorable.” This means it is worthy of great respect. Marriage was created by God in the beginning when He brought Adam and Eve together (Genesis 2:18-24). It is a holy covenant between a man and woman instituted by God. Throughout Scripture, God uses marriage to illustrate His relationship with His people. In the New Testament, marriage is compared to the relationship between Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:22-33).
Marriage is the firmest foundation for building a family and raising children. God designed it so a man and woman come together in an intimate, lifelong commitment to each other. Though cultures may define marriage in different ways, God’s design for marriage has not changed. According to Scripture, marriage is sacred and worthy of great honor.
2. Marriage Is Meant to Be Exclusive
Hebrews 13:4 says the marriage bed should be kept “undefiled.” This means God designed marriage to be an exclusive covenant between one man and one woman. Violating the marriage bed through sexual immorality is a sin. Adultery breaks the promise of faithfulness made in marriage.
Sexual purity is of utmost importance in marriage. God created sex to unite husband and wife in the covenant of marriage (Genesis 2:24). First Corinthians 7:3-5 explains that husbands and wives have a duty to fulfill each other’s needs and should not deprive each other. Hebrews 13:4 teaches that sexual activity must be reserved for marriage. Any sexual activity outside of marriage defiles the marriage bed.
3. God Will Judge Sexual Sin
Hebrews 13:4 warns that God will judge those who commit sexual immorality and adultery. Sex outside of marriage is always condemned in Scripture. Passages like 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:19, and Revelation 21:8 list sexual immorality as conduct that will incur God’s judgment.
Sex is a good gift from God meant to be enjoyed within the marriage covenant. But Scripture gives stern warnings against all forms of sexual sin. God’s standard for sexuality remains the same in both Old and New Testaments – sex is permissible only within marriage between a husband and wife. Violating God’s boundaries for sex will result in judgment.
4. Divorce Is Permissible in Some Cases
Though God desires marriages to last a lifetime, He permits divorce in certain situations because of sin. Matthew 19:3-9 explains that God allowed divorce because of the hardness of human hearts. Divorce is permitted in cases of marital unfaithfulness. Abandonment by an unbelieving spouse is another situation where the Bible permits divorce (1 Corinthians 7:15).
While God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16), Scripture acknowledges that divorce will occur because we live in a fallen world. Even in cases where divorce is permitted, it still results in painful consequences. God forgives divorce just as He forgives any sin when we repent and seek His mercy. He redeems and heals even the most broken of situations.
5. Remarriage Can Be Honorable
According to the Bible, remarriage after divorce is permitted in certain situations. Someone who was divorced because of their spouse’s marital unfaithfulness is free to remarry (Matthew 19:9). Abandonment by an unbelieving spouse also frees someone to remarry (1 Corinthians 7:15).
While God’s ideal is lifelong marriage, He provides grace in our brokenness. Though all remarriages are not sinful, Scripture gives caution about pursuing divorce without legitimate grounds. Christians seeking remarriage after divorce would be wise to prayerfully seek counsel and consider their situation in light of biblical standards. A remarriage after divorce can be honorable if the parties have biblically legitimate grounds for both divorce and remarriage.
6. Marriage Requires Effort and Sacrifice
A biblical marriage is a reflection of God’s covenant love for His people. It requires sacrifice, mutual submission, and earnest effort – especially when challenges arise. Ephesians 5 instructs husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church. Wives are told to submit to their husbands as the church submits to Christ.
Marriage also requires setting aside selfishness. Romans 12:10 says to “outdo one another in showing honor” in marriage. Couples must speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), bear each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), and regularly seek forgiveness (Colossians 3:13). They should stir up love and good works in each other (Hebrews 10:24). Biblical marriage takes great effort but blesses husband, wife, children, and society when lived according to God’s design.
7. Singleness Is Honorable Too
While Hebrews 13:4 honors marriage, singleness also has great honor in Scripture. Paul notes advantages of singleness in 1 Corinthians 7. Singleness allows greater devotion to the Lord’s work without divided interests (1 Corinthians 7:32-35). Paul affirms the benefits of both marriage and singleness. Contentment in our calling – whether to marriage or singleness – is key. Those called to lifelong celibacy can live in just as much honor as those called to marriage.
8. Marriage Points to Christ’s Relationship with the Church
As mentioned, the New Testament uses marriage to illustrate Christ’s relationship with the church. Human marriage is meant to picture the greater reality of God’s covenant with His people. In the Old Testament, God is described as Israel’s “husband” (Isaiah 54:5). In the New Testament, the church is called Christ’s bride (Revelation 19:7).
Marriage reflects the intimate, sacrificial love Christ has for the church. It shows how Christ gave Himself up for the church to make her holy (Ephesians 5:25-27). Our marriages should mirror that selfless, covenant love. This brings great glory to God. As we live out biblical marriage principles, our lives point others to the eternal marriage between Christ and His church.
9. Marriage Will Be for Eternity for Believers
In Matthew 22:29-30, Jesus teaches there will be no marriage in heaven. While earthly marriages will not continue into eternity, the marriage relationship illustrates our relationship to God which will endure forever. Revelation 19:7-9 describes the wedding supper of the Lamb when the people of God unite with Christ forever.
Believers look forward to perfect intimacy and relationship with Christ for eternity. Our marriages on earth are meant to strengthen that relationship and draw us closer to Him. If both spouses are believers, their love will endure beyond this life into eternity because of their shared love for Christ. While earthly marriage covenants end at death, the eternal bond between Christ and His church will never end.
10. Marriage Takes Wisdom and Effort
Marriage is a profound and sacred covenant that should be entered carefully and prayerfully. Several biblical passages provide wisdom for pursuing marriage in a God-honoring way:
– Seek godly wisdom about a potential spouse (Proverbs 19:14). Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14).
– Keep Christ at the center of the relationship from the start (Matthew 6:33). Build your marriage on biblical principles.
– Maintain moral purity before and during marriage (1 Corinthians 6:18-20). Flee sexual temptation.
– Seek thorough premarital counsel (Proverbs 20:18). Prepare well for marriage long before the wedding.
– Be quick to seek forgiveness within marriage (Ephesians 4:32). Develop habits of repentance, grace, and communication.
– Invest time daily to grow your relationship (Song of Solomon 2:16; 8:7). Marriage requires constant effort.
– Deal with conflict biblically (Matthew 18:15-17). Seek help from wise counsel if needed.
– Make your spouse a priority over other relationships (Genesis 2:24). Nurture intimacy in marriage.
– Cultivate mutual submission and servant leadership (Ephesians 5:21-33). Imitate Christ’s sacrificial love.
In a culture rife with distorted views of marriage, Christians have the privilege of displaying God’s design. As we live out biblical principles within marriage, our lives and homes testify to the watching world of Christ’s redeeming love and covenant faithfulness. When marriage is held in honor according to Scripture, it becomes a beautiful picture of the Gospel.