Reasons for Marriage According to the Bible

Marriage is God’s idea and not man’s. God addressed man’s need for a companion by making a woman. So if there are problems in marriage, it is advisable to go to God for answers. Answers to marital problems are found in the Holy Scriptures.

Why marriage?

Here we shall look at four reasons for marriage according to scripture.

1) Marriage solves the problem of loneliness

Genesis 2:18 says, “Later, the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a companion that is a suitable match for him."

God realized that it was not good for man to be alone. So He decided to make him a helpmeet or companion suitable for him. We note that the companion must be a suitable one. Not everyone is suitable for you. So the must be exercised properly. But if there was a mistake, it can be corrected with the help of God. He grants grace.

Man needed companionship. So friendship to a man is the greatest thing a woman can give to a man. God saw the need for companionship and He could not lie about it. One of the reasons why some men end up in wrong groups and involved in things like alcohol and drugs is loneliness. Good women are life changers. So if you are a woman, it is important that you take this role seriously. By so doing, your man will ever be grateful to you. A man should not be lonely whilst a woman is present. That would mean something is lacking.

2) To be a helpmeet

The same scripture Genesis 2:18 speaks of being a helpmeet or companion.

Genesis 2:18 says, “Later, the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a companion that is a suitable match for him." According to Lana Packer cited in Heward-Mills, (2005:15) there are different ways a woman can help the man. These include prayer, sex, providing food, counsel, encouragement, and comfort. Furthermore, the woman can further help by showing hospitality, performing housekeeping duties, helping financially, socially, etc.

Harley, (2013:21-22) asserts that man and woman are different and their differences in perspective complement each other to create a more complete understanding of the problems we all face in life. This means their joint agreement is the best resolution to their conflicts. So differences in the way a man and woman think makes them perfect partners in life.

The sooner a man and woman understand these differences and acknowledging them the better. This can help reduce the destructive agreements that lead to divorce.

3) Avoiding fornication

1Co 7:1 Now about what you asked: "Is it advisable for a man not to marry?"

1Co 7:2 Because sexual immorality is so rampant, every man should have his own wife, and every woman should have her own husband.

The persecution of believers disturbed a good environment for proper marriage relationships, especially new ones. That is why the advice was given to a man, not to touch a woman. However, to avoid fornication a man was to have his own wife and a wife to have her own husband.

So it is advisable for matured young people to get married. This will avoid fornication, which is not acceptable to God. The other thing, fornication results in deep hurts and wounds. Marriage can avoid such.

4) Procreation

Genesis 1:26-28 reads as follows:

“Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image, to be like us. Let them be masters over the fish in the ocean, the birds that fly, the livestock, everything that crawls on the earth, and over the earth itself!"

So God created mankind in his own image; in his own image God created them; he created them male and female.

God blessed these humans by saying to them, "Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it! Be masters over the fish in the ocean, the birds that fly, and every living thing that crawls on the earth!"

Having children outside the perimeters of marriage makes them to be found lacking. Children are a blessing from God the Creator. It is worth mentioning however, that a marriage is good even if there are not children. It is not children who validate a marriage. Well, some customs do not look at marriage as a good one if there are no children. But that is not God’s standard and that is a man-made philosophy.

The presence of children ensures that the human race continues on earth. But it is important to take good care of them. Give them love, meet their basic needs and a conducive environment for their growth and development.

The above reasons for marriage are biblical and are not necessarily conclusive. Let us ensure that our marriages fulfill these reasons or expectations in order to enjoy life time marriages. Problems and conflicts can be better resolved if we keep these reasons in mind. Where there are problems already, they can be resolved.