APPENDIX 4
Table A1. Genesis 2:24 God's
Expectation Man's Sin Evident in Genesis 2:24 Monogamy Polygamy
"Therefore a man [singular] shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife [singular], and they shall become one flesh."
Fidelity Adultery
"Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall
become one flesh."
Durability Divorce
"Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall
become one flesh."
Fertility Unfruitfulness
"Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall
become one flesh."
Complementarity Egalitarianism
"Therefore aman [marriage leader] shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife
[suitable helper], and they shall become one flesh."
Heterosexuality Homosexuality
"Therefore a man [masculine] shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife [feminine], and they shall become one flesh."
3. Marriage is a temporal institution, yet it points to an eternal relationship (Matt. 22:30;
Luke 20:35; Rom7:2-3; Eph 5:22-23, 1 Cor 7:39).
3.1. Scripture clearly indicates that while marriage is life-long, it is not eternal (cf.
Matt 22:30; Luke 20:35; Rom 7:2-3; 1 Cor 7:39).
3.2. The husband-wife relationship is frequently used by God to depict the eternal relationship that he desires with his people.
3.2.1. Husband-wife/God-Israel passages (Song of Sol; Isa 49:18; 50:1, 54:4-8;
Jer 2:2, 32; 3:14, 31:32; Ezek 16:1-14; Hos 1:1-3:5).
3.2.2. Husband-wife/Christ-church passages (Matt 9:15; 22:1-14; 25:1-13; Mark 2:19-20; Luke 5:34-35; John 3:29; Rom 7:1-4; 2 Cor 11:2; Eph 5:22-33;
Rev 19:7; 21:2; 22:17).
3.2.3 Sexual sin/spiritual sin passages (Isa 1:21; Jer 3:1-10; 5:7; 23:14; Ezek 16:15-43; 23:1-49; Hos 4:13-14; 7:4; Nah 3:4; Matt 12:39; 16:4; Mark 8:38; Jas 4:4; Rev 2:22; 17:1-19:2).
3.3. God is very jealous of his analogies, even specifically directing the Old
Testament priests (those symbolically closest to him) on whom they could marry (cf. Lev 21:7, 13-14); therefore, believers must be specifically vigilant concerning what they believe and practice concerning marriage.
4. Marriage ought to be entered into by individuals who are of the same spiritual condition (Exod 34:16; Deut 7:1-4; 1 Cor 7:39; 2 Cor 6:14).
4.1. Mixed spiritual marriages, not inter-racial marriages, were prohibited under Old Testament law (cf. Exod 34:16; Deut 7:1-4; 1 Kgs 11:1-8).
4.2. Mixed spiritual marriages are still legitimate marriages (cf. 1 Cor 7:12-13; 1 Pet 3:1-2)
4.3. The principle of separating the spiritual and unspiritual is present all throughout Scripture (cf. 1 Cor 5:9-13; Jas 4:4; 1 John 2:15).
4.4. This is the only regulation in Scripture relating to potential marriage partners, as Paul noted that, aside from marrying “in the Lord,” believers are free to marry whomever they wish (1 Cor 7:39).
4.5. A major reason for this directive is the spiritual impact that an unbelieving spouse inevitably will have upon a believer (cf. Deut 7:4; 1 Kgs 11:2, 4, 9; Neh 13:25- 27), however this instruction is also concerned with the God/believer analogy, for to be in a marriage relationship with an unbeliever distorts this analogy.
5. Marriage was designed to be life-long and monogamous (Gen 2:24; Matt 19:4-6;
Mark 10:6-9).
5.1. Even after the fall of mankind, no provision for ending marriage was given.
5.2. In view of God’s design of marriage (Gen 2:24), and Jesus’ comments on the institution (Matt 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-9), any allowance for divorce must be viewed as an accommodation for sin (cf. Matt 19:8, Mark 10:5).
5.3. Because of its presence in several Old Testament books, polygamy is oftentimes brought up in discussions of marriage and family. Note the following;
5.3.1. Polygamy is the first explicit marital perversion mentioned in Scripture (cf.
Gen 4:19).
5.3.2. In contemporary polygamous cultures polygamy is viewed as having multiple bilateral marriages; thus testifying to the integrity of God’s design of the institution of marriage.
5.3.3. There is no polygamous individual in Scripture who enjoyed a happy marriage life.
5.3.3.1. In his grace and longsuffering God tolerated the sin of polygamy, as he does most sins, in hopes of repentance (cf. Exod 21:10-11;
Lev 18:18; Deut 17:17; 21:15-17)
5.3.3.2. Named individuals who practiced polygamy in Scripture include:
Abraham, Esau, Jacob, Gideon, Elkanah, David, Solomon, Ahab, Jehoichin, Ashhur, Rehoboam, Abijah, Jehoram, Belshazzar, and Joash.
5.3.3.2.1. Here are only fifteen in number, and limited to five books in the Old Testament—that is, Genesis, Judges, Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles.
5.3.3.2.2. There are no examples of polyandry (i.e. a woman having more than one husband) in the Bible.
6. There are at least seven basic purposes of marriage, including;
6.1. Companionship (cf. Gen 2:18).
6.1.1. In light of the fact that companionship is available in a non-marital context, this cannot be the only or main purpose of marriage.
6.2. Procreation (cf. Gen 1:28; 2:24; 9:1; 7).
6.2.1. Reveals God’s joy.
6.2.1.1. Bruce Ware, “I believe that this is one of the reasons why God has made the sexual experience in human life to be as pleasurable and wondrous as it is. Image-of-God procreation is designed to reveal the pleasure God has in creating people in his own image, and the joy of bringing yet more of these humans into existence.”2
6.3. Production of godly offspring (cf. Mal. 2:15; 1 Cor. 7:14).
6.4. Sexual fulfillment (cf. 1 Cor. 7:3-4).
6.5. Avoidance of sexual sin (cf. 1 Cor. 7:2, 5, 9).
6.6. Depiction of the inter-Trinitarian relationship (cf. Gen 1:26-27).3 6.6.1. Compared to the rest of creation;
6.6.1.1. When creating the animals there is no mention of gender or plurality within the Godhead.
6.6.1.2. When creating man gender is explicitly mentioned as well as plurality within the Godhead.
6.6.1.3. All of creation is made in order to reflect God’s character to the world, mankind is made in order to manifest God’s character to the world.
6.6.2. In marriage mankind discovers the reality of composite unity.
6.6.2.1. Experienced in one-fleshness, which is physical, emotional, spiritual, etc.
6.6.2.2. Experienced in the embrace and manifestation of gender roles.
6.7. Depiction of the relationship between God and his people (cf. Eph 5:22-33).4 6.7.1. God as husband (Isa 54:5; Jer 3:14).
6.7.1.1 Self-sacrificial love manifest in headship (Hos 3:1; Rom 5:8; Eph 5:25-28).
6.7.1.2. Righteous jealousy (Exod 20:5; 34:14; Deut 4:24; Isa. 48:11).
6.7.2. Church as bride (2 Cor 11:2, Rev 18:23; 19:7; 21:2; 9).
6.7.2.1. Self-sacrificial love manifest in submission (1 Cor 11:3; Eph 1:22;
4:15; 5:23; Col 1:18).
2Bruce Ware, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: Relationships, Roles, and Relevance (Wheaton, IL:
Crossway, 2005), 58.
3Cf. Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994), 454-56;
Geoffrey Bromily God and Marriage (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1980), 1-4.
4Cf. David J. Engelsma, Marriage, The Mystery of Christ and the Church: The Covenant Bond in Scripture and History (Grandville, MI: Reformed Free, 1998), 20; J. Carl Laney, The Divorce Myth (Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1981), 122-23; H. Wayne House, ed., Divorce and Remarriage: Four Christian Views (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1990), 75.
The Anglican Book of Common Prayer
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and in the face of the congregation, to join together this man and this woman, in Holy Matrimony; which is an honorable state, instituted by God in the time of man’s innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church.”
7. To require or to forbid the institution of marriage is sinful (1 Cor 7:6-9; 1 Tim 4:1-3).
7.1. Marriage is the usual state of mankind (Gen 2:24; Ps 68:6).
7.2. Singleness is a spiritual gift, and like all spiritual gifts, it is given for the purposed of increased ministry (Matt 19:11-12; 1 Cor 7:7; cf. Jer 16:1-4).
7.2.1. Lack of marriage is described as a curse in Scripture (cf. Ps 78:63).
7.2.2. Singleness may be a spiritual gift reserved only for men.
7.3. Forbidding marriage can be accomplished either by decree, as would be the case in a formal theological heresy or a corrupt government policy, or by cultural
practices that discourage marriage (i.e., acceptance of pre-marital sex, cohabitation, etc.), as is the case in contemporary society.
8. Under normal circumstances, marriage is to be fruitful; however, marriage is legitimate without children (Gen 1:28; 2:24; 9:1, 7).
APPENDIX 5