Restoring Marriage through Sovereign Grace in Christian Relationships

Marriage was instituted in Paradise when humanity was in a state of innocence, as recorded in Genesis 2:18-24 ^[1]. This original charter, which forms the basis for all subsequent regulations concerning marriage, was later affirmed by Jesus in Matthew 19:4-5 ^[1]. From Genesis 2:24, several foundational principles of marriage can be derived: the unity of man and wife, the indissolubility of the marriage bond (except on the strongest grounds, as referenced in Matthew 19:9), and monogamy as the original design ^[2]. It is also understood to involve the social equality of man and wife, though with the wife's subordination to the husband in certain respects, as indicated in 1 Corinthians 11:8-9 and 1 Timothy 2:13 ^[2].

The divine institution of marriage is further described as a covenant relationship in Malachi 2:4 ^[4]. Its purposes include the happiness of humanity (Genesis 2:18), increasing the human population (Genesis 1:28; 9:1), raising up godly offspring (Malachi 2:15), and preventing fornication (1 Corinthians 7:2) ^[4]. While monogamy was the original law, this was violated in later times with the introduction of corrupt practices like polygamy and concubinage, which were prevalent even in the patriarchal age ^[1].

The fall of humanity introduced antagonism into the marriage relationship. Genesis 3:16 describes judgment falling on the woman's unique role in childbearing and on her relationship with her husband, stating, "And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you" ^[11]. This indicates that the marriage relationship, which was originally intended for security and fulfillment, now includes an element of conflict ^[11].

Despite the challenges introduced by sin, the New Testament offers a path for the restoration of the marriage relationship through Christ. New life in Christ allows for this restoration, as discussed in Ephesians 5:18-32 and Matthew 20:25-28 ^[11]. The concept of divine grace plays a crucial role in this restoration. God's grace is understood as a gift given generously ^[5]. The Apostle Paul, for instance, speaks of God's chastening as a sign of His love, preventing believers from being condemned with the world ^[6]. This divine intervention, even in the form of discipline, aims at the spiritual well-being and restoration of individuals, which can extend to their relationships.

In the Old Testament, the prophet Hosea uses the metaphor of marriage to describe God's covenant relationship with Israel. Hosea 2:19 speaks of God's renewed betrothal to His people, emphasizing "righteousness . . . judgment . . . loving-kindness, &c." ^[10]. This renewed covenant is not temporary but "forever," established through God's grace and the writing of His law on their hearts by the Spirit ^[10]. This imagery suggests that God's sovereign grace can renew and restore broken covenants and relationships, much like a bride returning to her husband (2 Samuel 17:3) ^[3].

However, the human tendency towards sin can hinder this restoration. God sometimes allows individuals to experience the consequences of their desired sin or deception, as seen in passages like Romans 1:24, 26, 28 and 2 Thessalonians 2:11 ^[7]. This "handing over" to sin serves as a form of judgment, highlighting the need for repentance and reliance on God's grace. Divisions and controversies, which can arise within communities and relationships, are also noted in Scripture (1 Corinthians 1:10-12; 11:18) ^{[8, 9]}. These issues underscore the ongoing need for genuine prayer and a commitment to peace within relationships ^[9].

Sources

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”
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 ”
II Samuel “II Samuel 17:3 (BSB) — and bring all the people back to you as a bride returning to her husband. You seek the life of only one man; then all the people will be at peace.””
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”
Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 12:8: 12:8 give generously: See also 2 Cor 8:2; 9:11, 13.”
1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 11:32: chastened-- (Rev 3:19). with the world--who, being bastards, are without chastening (Heb 12:8).”
2 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Thessalonians 2:11: 2:11 As seen elsewhere in Scripture (Exod 9:12; 2 Chr 18:22), God sometimes hands people over to the power of the sin or deception they have desired in place of the truth (Rom 1:24, 26, 28; 11:8).”
1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 11:18: 11:18 The divisions may be those spoken of in 1:10-12 (cp. Titus 3:10), or (more likely) the result of social discrimination when they shared meals (see 1 Cor 11:21-22, 33; Acts 6:1).”
1 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Timothy 2:8: 2:8 Genuine prayer had evidently deteriorated among the Ephesians due to the false teachers’ influence (see 1 Tim 6:4-5; 1:4; cp. 2 Tim 3:1-5; Titus 3:9-11). • holy hands lifted up: Cp. Isa 1:15-17. An ancient posture of praise and supplication (see Exod 9:29; 1 Kgs 8:22, 54; Neh 8:6; Ps 28:2; Luke 24:50). • free from anger and controversy: Cp. Jas 3:8-12.”
Hosea (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hosea 2:19: "Betroth" is thrice repeated, implying the intense love of God to His people; and perhaps, also, the three Persons of the Triune God, severally engaging to make good the betrothal. The marriage covenant will be as it were renewed from the beginning, on a different footing; not for a time only, as before, through the apostasy of the people, but "forever" through the grace of God writing the law on their hearts by the Spirit of Messiah (Jer 31:31-37). righteousness . . . judgment--in rectitude and truth. loving-kindness, &c.--Hereby God assures Israel”
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).”

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