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Characteristics of a Marriage Glorifying God in Scripture

Marriage, as depicted in Scripture, is a divinely instituted covenant relationship intended to glorify God through its design, purpose, and symbolic representation of God's relationship with His people [1, 3, 5]. Its origins trace back to the creation of humanity in Paradise, where God established it when man was in innocence [3, 5].

The foundational principles of marriage are outlined in Genesis 2:18-24, a passage confirmed by Jesus as the basis for all regulations concerning marriage [3, 5]. From this foundational text, several key characteristics emerge:

First, marriage is characterized by the unity of man and wife, stemming from the creation of woman out of man [5]. This unity is expressed in the concept of "joining together" [1] and becoming "one flesh" [12]. This profound unity implies a deep connection and mutual belonging, where spouses are to prize and cherish each other [15].

Second, monogamy is presented as the original law of marriage [3, 5]. While polygamy and concubinage became prevalent in later patriarchal times, and were acknowledged in Mosaic law, the initial divine design was for one man and one woman [3].

Third, the indissolubility of the marriage bond is a significant characteristic, meant to be broken only on the strongest grounds [5]. This reflects the covenantal nature of marriage, which is not merely a contract but a sacred bond [1].

Fourth, marriage is designed for the happiness of humanity [1]. Proverbs 18:22 states that "Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord" [4]. This "good thing" is understood as a blessing from God, a "help meet" that contributes significantly to a man's comfort and spiritual journey [13]. Similarly, good wives are considered a token of God's favor [7].

Fifth, marriage serves the purpose of increasing the human population and raising up godly offspring [1]. God's command to "be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth" (Genesis 1:28) is seen not just as a permission but as a divine direction for procreation [9]. Malachi 2:15 emphasizes the goal of raising "godly seed" [1].

Sixth, marriage is intended as a means of preventing sexual immorality [1]. The Apostle Paul addresses this in 1 Corinthians 7:2, indicating that marriage provides a lawful and honorable context for sexual intimacy [1, 12].

Seventh, the Bible emphasizes the honorable nature of marriage for all [1]. Hebrews 13:4 declares, "Marriage is honourable in all" [1]. This honor stems from its divine institution and its purpose, including the procreation of children and the avoidance of fornication [12].

Eighth, a marriage glorifying God is characterized by specific duties and roles within the relationship. Wives are called to love their husbands, reverence them, be faithful, subject to them, and obey them, remaining with them for life [7]. Their adornment should be characterized by modesty, sobriety, a meek and quiet spirit, and good works, rather than outward ornaments [7]. While the text also mentions the subordination of the wife to the husband [5], this is often understood within the context of mutual respect and love, with husbands called to prize and cherish their wives [15].

Ninth, marriage is to be undertaken "only in the Lord" [1]. This implies that believers should marry other believers, reflecting a shared faith and commitment to God. This principle is seen in Old Testament warnings against selecting wives from among the ungodly [7].

Beyond these practical characteristics, marriage holds profound symbolic significance in Scripture, serving as an analogy for the covenant relationship between God and His people [8, 10]. The prophet Isaiah uses the imagery of a young man marrying a virgin to describe God's rejoicing over His people [2]. The church is often depicted as the bride of Christ, adorned for her husband [6, 14]. This symbolic representation highlights God's faithfulness and love for His covenant people, even when they are unfaithful [8, 10]. The "kingdom of heaven" is likened to a king espousing children of men to his own son, illustrating God's great love in bringing humanity into a covenant relationship with Christ [11]. This imagery underscores that marriage, at its core, is meant to reflect and point to the ultimate divine union between Christ and His Church.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Marriage — Divinely instituted -- Ge 2:24. A covenant relationship -- Mal 2:4. Designed for The happiness of man. -- Ge 2:18. Increasing the human population. -- Ge 1:28; 9:1. Raising up godly seed. -- Mal 2:15. Preventing fornication. -- 1Co 7:2. The expectation of the promised seed of the woman an incentive to, in the early age -- Ge 3:15; 4:1. Lawful in all -- 1Co 7:2,28; 1Ti 5:14. Honourable for all -- Heb 13:4. Should be only in the Lord -- 1Co 7:39. Expressed by Joining together. -- Mt 19:6. Making affinity. -- 1Ki 3:1. Taking to wife. -- Ex 2:1. Giving daughte”
  2. Isaiah “For as a young man marries a virgin, so your sons shall marry you; and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so your God will rejoice over you. -- Isaiah 62:5”
  3. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Marriage — Was instituted in Paradise when man was in innocence (Gen. 2:18-24). Here we have its original charter, which was confirmed by our Lord, as the basis on which all regulations are to be framed (Matt. 19:4, 5). It is evident that monogamy was the original law of marriage (Matt. 19:5; 1 Cor. 6:16). This law was violated in after times, when corrupt usages began to be introduced (Gen. 4:19; 6:2). We meet with the prevalence of polygamy and concubinage in the patriarchal age (Gen. 16:1-4; 22:21-24; 28:8, 9; 29:23-30, etc.). Polygamy was acknowledged in the Mosa”
  4. Proverbs “Proverbs 18:22 (KJV) — Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.”
  5. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Marriage — + Its origin and history .--The institution of marriage dates from the time of man's original creation. (Genesis 2:18-25) From (Genesis 2:24) we may evolve the following principles: (1) The unity of man and wife, as implied in her being formed out of man. (2) The indissolubleness of the marriage bond, except on; the strongest grounds, Comp. (Matthew 19:9) (3) Monogamy, as the original law of marriage (4) The social equality of man and wife. (5) The subordination of the wife to the husband. (1 Corinthians 11:8,9; 1 Timothy 2:13) (6) The respective duties of ”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Excellency and Glory of the Church, The — Derived from God -- Isa 28:5. Derived from Christ -- Isa 60:1; Lu 2:34. Result from the favour of God -- Isa 43:4. God delights in -- Ps 45:11; Isa 62:3-5. Saints delight in -- Isa 66:11. Consist in its Being the seat of God's worship. -- Ps 96:6. Being the temple of God. -- 1Co 3:16,17; Eph 2:21,22. Being the body of Christ. -- Eph 1:22,23. Being the bride of Christ. -- Ps 45:13,14; Re 19:7,8; 21:2. Being established. -- Ps 48:8; Isa 33:20. Eminent position. -- Ps 48:2; Isa 2:2. Graces of character. -- Song 2:14. Perfection ”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Wives — Not to be selected from among the ungodly -- Ge 24:3; 26:34,35; 28:1. Duties of, to their husbands To love them. -- Tit 2:4. To reverence them. -- Eph 5:33. To be faithful to them. -- 1Co 7:3-5,10. To be subject to them. -- Ge 3:16; Eph 5:22,24; 1Pe 3:1. To obey them. -- 1Co 14:34; Tit 2:5. To remain with them for life. -- Ro 7:2,3. Should be adorned Not with ornaments. -- 1Ti 2:9; 1Pe 3:3. With modesty and sobriety. -- 1Ti 2:9. With a meek and quiet spirit. -- 1Pe 3:4,5. With good works. -- 1Ti 2:10; 5:10. Good Are from the Lord. -- Pr 19:14. Are a token of ”
  8. Ezekiel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezekiel 23:4: 23:4 Marriage is commonly used in the Bible as a symbol for the covenant relationship between God and his people (e.g., Isa 54:1-8; Eph 5:22-33). Adultery symbolizes Israel’s spiritual unfaithfulness (e.g., Hos 1–3). God makes his covenants in spite of, not because of, his people’s character (Rom 5:6-11).”
  9. Genesis (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Genesis 1:28: And God blessed them,.... The man and the woman he had made, with all the blessings of nature and Providence; with all the good things of life; with his presence, and with communion with himself in a natural way, through the creatures; and particularly with a power of procreating their species, as follows, and God said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth: if this is not an express command, as the Jews understand it, for marriage and procreation of children, it seems to be more than a bare permission; at least it is a direction and an advic”
  10. Ezek (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezek 23:4: 23:4 Marriage is commonly used in the Bible as a symbol for the covenant relationship between God and his people (e.g., Isa 54:1-8; Eph 5:22-33). Adultery symbolizes Israel’s spiritual unfaithfulness (e.g., Hos 1–3). God makes his covenants in spite of, not because of, his people’s character (Rom 5:6-11).”
  11. Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 22:2: The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king,.... The Gospel dispensation which had now taken place, the methods of divine grace in it, and the behaviour of men under it, may be fitly illustrated by the following simile, or parable; the design of which is to express the great love of God the Father, who is represented by this certain king, in espousing any of the children of men to his own son: as, that he a king, who is the King of kings, and Lord of Lords, should concern himself in this manner; and especially, that he should espouse such mean and unworthy cr”
  12. Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 13:4: Marriage is honourable in all,.... Some read these words as an exhortation, "let" it "be so"; others as an assertion, it is so. "Marriage" is the union of one man and one woman in wedlock, whereby they become one flesh; it is a joining together of male and female in this relation, and of two only, and of such as are not within the degrees of blood forbid by the law, Lev 18:6 and of such as are fit for marriage: and this is "honourable", as it was instituted by God, and has been honoured with the presence of Christ, Gen 2:22. And it is so in the ends of it, being to p”
  13. Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 18:22: Note, 1. A good wife is a great blessing to a man. He that finds a wife (that is, a wife indeed; a bad wife does not deserve to be called by a name of so much honour), that finds a help meet for him (that is a wife in the original acceptation of the word), that sought such a one with care and prayer and has found what he sought, he has found a good thing, a jewel of great value, a rare jewel; he has found that which will not only contribute more than any thing to his comfort in this life, but will forward him in the way to heaven. 2. God is to be acknowledged i”
  14. Revelation (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Revelation 19:7: Let us be glad, and rejoice, and give honour to him,.... The saints particularly; the converted Jews will call upon one another to express their gladness at the glorious display of Christ's kingly power and authority, and at the destruction of his enemies, and the happy and comfortable state of his church and people; and to rejoice in him as the Lord their righteousness and strength, and to give him the honour and glory of salvation, and to return him thanks for all the benefits they shall have received from him, particularly on account of what follows: for the ”
  15. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 5:28: 5:28-29 Husbands should prize and cherish their wives, for in marriage the two have become one (see 5:31).”
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