Repairing the Marital Covenant Through Confession and Forgiveness
Marriage was established in Paradise before the fall of humanity (Genesis 2:18-24) and was affirmed by Jesus as the foundational institution for human relationships (Matthew 19:4-5) [4]. The original design for marriage was monogamous (Matthew 19:5; 1 Corinthians 6:16), though this ideal was often violated in later times, as seen in the polygamy and concubinage of the patriarchal age (Genesis 16:1-4; 29:23-30) [4].
When a marital covenant is strained, the biblical concepts of confession and forgiveness offer a path toward repair. James 5:16 encourages believers to "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed" [1]. This mutual confession and prayer are presented as means to healing.
Forgiveness, or pardon, is a central theme in scripture, promised by God (Isaiah 1:18; Jeremiah 31:34) [3]. It is granted by God alone (Daniel 9:9; Mark 2:7), through Christ (Luke 1:69, 77; Acts 5:31), and specifically through the shedding of Christ's blood (Matthew 26:28; Romans 3:25) [3]. The Old Testament sacrificial system provided a temporary means of atonement, made by priests for various sins, including those committed ignorantly or wilfully (Leviticus 4:20-35; 6:7) [5]. However, these legal sacrifices were ultimately ineffectual for true pardon, which required the blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:22; 10:4) [3].
The concept of atonement signifies "at-one-ment," or reconciliation, a change from enmity to friendship [6]. This reconciliation is mutual, involving a change in both parties who were at odds [2]. In the context of marriage, this means both spouses participate in laying aside enmity and seeking renewed friendship. The New Covenant, prophesied in Jeremiah 31:31-34, emphasizes God's promise to forgive iniquity and remember sin no more, a promise realized through Jesus Christ's redemptive work (Hebrews 8:8-12) [7, 8]. This divine pattern of forgiveness serves as a model for human relationships, including marriage. The "mercy and truth of God," particularly as they "kiss each other in Jesus Christ the Mediator," are presented as the means by which the guilt of sin is removed and its power broken within individuals (Proverbs 16:6) [9].
Sources
- King James Version “[KJV] James 5:16 — Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Reconcilation — A change from enmity to friendship. It is mutual, i.e., it is a change wrought in both parties who have been at enmity. (1.) In Col. 1:21, 22, the word there used refers to a change wrought in the personal character of the sinner who ceases to be an enemy to God by wicked works, and yields up to him his full confidence and love. In 2 Cor. 5:20 the apostle beseeches the Corinthians to be "reconciled to God", i.e., to lay aside their enmity. (2.) Rom. 5:10 refers not to any change in our disposition toward God, but to God himself, as the party reconcile”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Pardon — Promised -- Isa 1:18; Jer 31:34; Heb 8:12; Jer 50:20. None without shedding of blood -- Le 17:11; Heb 9:22. Legal sacrifices, ineffectual for -- Heb 10:4. Outward purifications, ineffectual for -- Job 9:30,31; Jer 2:22. The blood of Christ, alone, is efficacious for -- Zec 13:1; 1Jo 1:7. Is granted By God alone. -- Da 9:9; Mr 2:7. By Christ. -- Mr 2:5; Lu 7:48. Through Christ. -- Lu 1:69,77; Ac 5:31; 13:38. Through the blood of Christ. -- Mt 26:28; Ro 3:25; Col 1:14. For the name's sake of Christ. -- 1Jo 2:12. According to the riches of grace. -- Eph 1:7. On”
- 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”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Atonement, Under the Law — Made by sacrifice -- Le 1:4,5. By priests alone -- 1Ch 6:49; 2Ch 29:24. Necessary for Propitiating God. -- Ex 32:30; Le 23:27,28; 2Sa 21:3. Ransoming. -- Ex 30:15,16; Job 33:24. Purifying. -- Ex 29:36. Offered for The congregation. -- Nu 15:25; 2Ch 29:24. The priests. -- Ex 29:31-33; Le 8:34. Persons sinning ignorantly. -- Le 4:20-35. Persons sinning wilfully. -- Le 6:7. Persons swearing rashly. -- Le 5:4,6. Persons withholding evidence. -- Le 5:1,6. Persons unclean. -- Le 5:2,3,6. Women after childbirth. -- Le 12:8. The altar. -- Ex 29:36,”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Atonement — This word does not occur in the Authorized Version of the New Testament except in Rom. 5:11, where in the Revised Version the word "reconciliation" is used. In the Old Testament it is of frequent occurrence. The meaning of the word is simply at-one-ment, i.e., the state of being at one or being reconciled, so that atonement is reconciliation. Thus it is used to denote the effect which flows from the death of Christ. But the word is also used to denote that by which this reconciliation is brought about, viz., the death of Christ itself; and when so used it”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 8:7: 8:7-13 The author quotes Jer 31:31-34, an Old Testament prophecy concerning the new covenant that includes a number of striking promises. Establishing the superiority of the new covenant lays a foundation for the argument in Heb 9:1–10:18 that the Son’s offering under the new covenant was superior to the offerings of the old covenant. 8:7 The first covenant, made at Sinai, was not faultless. It was not the end of God’s plan, because it didn’t solve human weaknesses (see 7:11-28; 8:9).”
- Jeremiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jeremiah 31:31: 31:31 The day of the new covenant was realized when Jesus Christ accomplished his redemptive mission on earth (see Heb 8:8-12).”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 16:6: See here, 1. How the guilt of sin is taken away from us - by the mercy and truth of God, mercy in promising, truth in performing, the mercy and truth which kiss each other in Jesus Christ the Mediator - by the covenant of grace, in which mercy and truth shine so brightly - by our mercy and truth, as the condition of the pardon and a necessary qualification for it - by these, and not by the legal sacrifices, Mic 6:7, Mic 6:8. 2. How the power of sin is broken in us. By the principles of mercy and truth commanding in us the corrupt inclinations are purged out (so ”