Pornography and Bible Reading in Marriage Dynamics
Marriage, as depicted in the Bible, is a foundational covenant relationship established in the created order, not merely a human social construct [6]. It is designed as an inseparable and exclusive union between a man and a woman [6]. This relationship involves a shift of loyalty from parents to spouse, as "a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife" [6]. The concept of marriage is so profound that it frequently serves as a symbol for the covenant relationship between God and his people, and between Christ and the Church [2, 3, 6]. For instance, Isaiah 54:1-8 and Ephesians 5:22-33 use marriage to illustrate this divine-human bond [2, 3].
The biblical understanding of marriage also includes the concept of betrothal, which in ancient Judaism was a permanent relationship, breakable only by legal process [1, 8]. During this period, the engaged individuals were considered husband and wife, even before sexual relations [8].
The ideal of marriage, however, was impacted by the Fall. Genesis 3:16 indicates that the marriage relationship would include an element of antagonism, with the woman desiring to control her husband and the husband ruling over her [5]. Despite this, new life in Christ offers the possibility of restoring the marriage relationship to its intended design, as suggested by Ephesians 5:18-32 [5].
The Bible also addresses practical aspects of marriage. For example, in 1 Timothy 5:14, remarriage is recommended for younger widows as an antidote to sexual passion and idleness, though this advice is contextual and not a universal command [7]. The warmth and sympathy derived from social ties, particularly within marriage, are also noted in scripture, with Ecclesiastes 4:11 using the image of a man and wife to illustrate the benefits of companionship [9]. The propagation of the Church from Christ, analogous to Eve's creation from Adam, is presented as the spiritual foundation of marriage in Ephesians 5:31-32, emphasizing that natural marriage rests upon this spiritual reality [4].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Betrothing — [[300]Marriage.1]”
- 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).”
- 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).”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 5:31: For--The propagation of the Church from Christ, as that of Eve from Adam, is the foundation of the spiritual marriage. The natural marriage, wherein "a man leaves father and mother (the oldest manuscripts omit 'his') and is joined unto his wife," is not the principal thing meant here, but the spiritual marriage represented by it, and on which it rests, whereby Christ left the Father's bosom to woo to Himself the Church out of a lost world: Eph 5:32 proves this: His earthly mother as such, also, He holds in secondary account as compared with His spir”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 3:16: 3:16 Judgment falls on the woman’s unique role of childbearing and on her relationship with her husband. • And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you: The marriage relationship now included an element of antagonism rather than just security and fulfillment. New life in Christ allows for the restoration of a man and a woman’s marriage relationship (Eph 5:18-32; cp. Matt 20:25-28).”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 2:24: 2:24 Marriage between a man and a woman is not just a human social construct but is rooted in the created order. • a man leaves . . . and is joined: Marriage entails a shift of loyalty from parents to spouse. • the two are united into one: Marriage and its commitments make it the most fundamental covenant relationship observed among humans. Marriage is a powerful image of Israel’s covenant with God (Hos 2:14-23) and of Christ’s relationship to the church (Eph 5:22-32). Marriage is designed as an inseparable, exclusive relationship between a man and a woman. The f”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 5:14: younger women--rather, as ellipsis ought to be supplied, "the younger widows," namely younger widows in general, as distinguished from the older widows taken on the roll of presbyteresses (Ti1 5:9). The "therefore" means seeing that young widows are exposed to such temptations, "I will," or "desire," &c. (Ti1 5:11-13). The precept here that they should marry again is not inconsistent with Co1 7:40; for the circumstances of the two cases were distinct (compare Co1 7:26). Here remarriage is recommended as an antidote to sexual passion, idleness, and t”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 1:18: 1:18 Jesus the Messiah (literally Jesus the Christ): Using Messiah in the translation accurately communicates that it is a title rather than a personal name (“Jesus Christ”). • engaged to be married: In Judaism, engagement (or betrothal) meant a permanent relationship (Mal 2:14) that could be broken only by legal process; thus, Mary was considered Joseph’s wife and he her husband (see Matt 1:20; Deut 22:23-24), even though they had not had sexual relations. Mary’s status as a virgin at the time of Jesus’ conception through the power of the Holy Spirit helps authe”
- Ecclesiastes (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ecclesiastes 4:11: (See on Kg1 1:1). The image is taken from man and wife, but applies universally to the warm sympathy derived from social ties. So Christian ties (Luk 24:32; Act 28:15).”