God’s Purposes for Marriage
God’s Divine Purposes for Marriage: Understanding the Biblical Design
Have you ever been asked why marriage matters? In a world where cohabitation is increasingly common, can you articulate why God designed marriage and what purposes it serves? The Bible provides clear answers about God’s divine intent for this sacred institution.
Marriage isn’t just a human tradition or social construct—it’s a divinely established relationship with specific purposes that benefit individuals, families, and society. Let’s explore what Scripture teaches about God’s design for marriage.
What Does Genesis Teach About God’s Original Design for Marriage?
In Genesis 1:26-28, we see that God created humans as the crown of His creation, making them in His image and likeness. Unlike other creatures, humans can relate to God rationally, emotionally, socially, volitionally, morally, and spiritually.
When God created humans, He specifically made them as male and female—two distinct but complementary genders. There was no third category. In Genesis 2:23-24, we see God establishing marriage as a permanent, monogamous covenant relationship where a man and woman come together as husband and wife.
What Are the Five Divine Purposes of Marriage?
1. Marriage Was Designed for Procreation
In Genesis 1:28, God commands the first couple to “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.” This command to be fruitful means to bear offspring—to have children. Throughout Scripture, we see this imagery reinforced, with Psalm 128:3 comparing a woman to a “fruitful vine” and Psalm 127:3 calling children “the fruit of the womb.”
God designed male and female anatomy and biological systems to come together and create other human beings. Marriage provides the divinely instituted context for bearing and raising children. Despite our culture’s sometimes negative attitude toward children, Scripture teaches that “children are a gift of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3)—not a burden but a divine blessing.
2. Marriage Was Designed for Companionship
Genesis 2:18 reveals another purpose: “It is not good for the man to be alone.” God assessed Adam’s solitary state and declared it lacking. Adam was experiencing separation and isolation, and God’s solution was Eve.
Through marriage, God satisfies our deepest longings for relationship, fellowship, intimacy, support, and community. He joins a man and woman together so they can share life’s experiences together rather than apart. Malachi 2:14 describes a wife as her husband’s “companion.”
When Adam first saw Eve, his exclamation revealed his relief and joy: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh!” (Genesis 2:23). While God gives some people the grace to live contentedly as singles, for most people, marriage is God’s solution for our desire for deep relationship.
3. Marriage Was Designed for Partnership
Genesis 2:18 continues: “I will make him a helper suitable for him.” Eve was created to be equal to Adam (bearing the same divine image) yet different, complementing him perfectly. As Adam’s helper, Eve would support and assist him in fulfilling God’s assignments.
This reveals that marriage serves as a partnership where two people mutually serve one another as co-laborers in life. Together, they’re better than they would be apart. God unites husband and wife to complement each other, creating a team that can accomplish more together than either could individually.
4. Marriage Was Designed for Sexual Intimacy
In 1 Corinthians 7:1-5, Paul addresses sexual immorality by explaining that marriage provides God’s approved outlet for sexual expression. He writes, “Because of immoralities, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband” (v.2).
When we marry, we come together with the expectation that our sexual desires will be fulfilled by our spouse. Paul explains that through marriage, our bodies become our spouse’s, creating a mutual obligation: “The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband” (v.3).
Paul warns against depriving one another sexually, except by mutual agreement for a limited time of prayer. He cautions that withholding intimacy creates vulnerability to temptation. God designed sexual intimacy exclusively for the marriage relationship—it’s meant to be expressed and fulfilled only within that covenant context.
5. Marriage Was Designed for Gospel Witness
Ephesians 5:31-32 reveals a profound mystery: “A man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great, but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.”
One of God’s purposes for marriage is to provide a living picture of the gospel. The husband represents Christ in the marriage, showing Christ’s love, support, nurture, protection, and leadership toward the church. The wife represents the church, showing respect and following leadership.
When a husband and wife live out their biblical roles, they display to a watching world what Christ’s relationship with the church looks like. Marriage serves as a gospel advertisement, showing how the transforming power of Jesus changes lives and relationships.
Life Application
How can we apply these biblical purposes for marriage in our daily lives?
- Value children as God values them – If you’re of childbearing age, consider having children as a blessing from God. If not, pray that God will fill our churches with little ones. In your social circles, advocate for the biblical view that children should be raised within marriage.
- Prioritize your marriage relationship – Make time for your spouse. Don’t let work, hobbies, technology, or even children take the place your partner should have in satisfying your relational desires. Date one another, talk regularly, and model for others that you genuinely enjoy being together.
- Serve as partners in God’s work – Have an honest conversation with your spouse about how you can better support each other. Ask, “How can I step up and be the helper God designed me to be for you?”
- Honor the gift of sexual intimacy – Talk openly with your spouse about this area of marriage. Submit to Scripture’s teaching about the importance of physical intimacy for protecting and preserving your marriage.
- Display the gospel through your marriage – Consider what steps you could take to make your marriage a more faithful representation of Christ and the church. Men, step up as spiritual leaders; women, support and encourage your husbands as you graciously yield to their leadership.
Most importantly, remember that a thriving marriage begins with a relationship with Jesus Christ. He is the vine, and we are the branches. Without Him, we cannot fulfill God’s purposes for marriage. If you’re struggling in your marriage, Jesus can restore it. If you’ve experienced a broken marriage, Jesus can heal you. If you’re waiting for marriage, Jesus can sustain you.
Ask yourself:
- Which of these five purposes for marriage do I need to focus on developing in my relationship?
- How can I better reflect Christ’s relationship with the church through my marriage?
- What specific step can I take this week to strengthen my marriage in one of these areas?
- Have I built my marriage on the foundation of a relationship with Jesus Christ?