What is a Biblical Marraige

Embedded in the Christian community, as well as the secular, is the notion and practice that marriage is non-existent unless each participant makes a vow to the other in front of a government official, and in most cases other witnesses. Once this is accomplished, the official declares, "By the power vested in me I now pronounce you husband and wife."

Believers in Jesus Christ defend Christian marriage based on these stated vows. They proclaim that we will be accountable to God for our vows to one another, and they are correct. We will be held accountable before God to uphold whatsoever we have sworn by oath, but when it comes to the vows that supposedly makes a Christian marriage, are the stated vows valid and are they acceptable to God?

When two people state their vows to one another to unite in marriage, they can concoct the vows to say or imply whatever they want. The most popular is "for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, till death do us part." Just to pick out one aspect of this vow, what is their meaning for "worse?" If this were true, there would never be a divorce. Just how bad do they consider the word "worse" to mean? Some have vowed to each other "as long as our love shall last." I take this to mean that one could abandon the other, because now their love for the other has diminished and, then, go take another to marry, doing it all over again. Would this vow be acceptable to God in that He would join two together based on this vow? Would this fit within His framework and commands of Biblical marriage?

Does the Creator of marriage base that union on the content of our vows? Does our responsibility end with our stated vows? If so, then marriage is defined based upon what our vows encompass (what we mean at the time) and not what God has prescribed. If we think that, we are sorely mistaken and in deep trouble. In fact, vows aren't even required to be married Biblically.

If one will examine the Scriptures, one will see that Biblical marriage was not fortified based on our present cultural system of vow making. The beginning process of Biblical marriage was cemented by the making of covenants. A covenant was a binding agreement of purchase, as is depicted and exemplified to all believers, through God's Word, who are under the covenant of Christ, "...and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore... (1 Corinthians 6:19,20). Joseph and Mary were husband and wife by covenant to begin with.

Still Hungry? 1 Corinthians 7:23, Matthew 20-28, Acts 20-28, John 2:21