The Bible and Marriage
God intended men and women to join together for life as couples, and to produce children. In the Adam and Eve story, God made Eve as a partner for Adam. The Adam and Eve Creation Story teaches that marriage is a gift from God, and a part of God’s plan for human beings. God intended, right from the beginning, that men and women should join together for life as couples. The bond between a man and a woman produces new life when children are born, and in this way God’s creation continues.
Adam said, ‘This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called “woman”, for she was taken out of a man.’ For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.”
Genesis 2:21-24
Adultery is wrong and couples should be faithful for life. Christians believe it is very important for married people to remain faithful to each other. Adultery leads to a lack of trust, and shows disrespect for the holiness of marriage. It breaks the marriage vows.
“You shall not commit adultery.”
Exodus 20: 14 - 10 Commandments
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
Jesus, Matthew 5:27-28
Marriage is for sex. Husbands and wives should look after the sexual needs of the other.
St. Paul said, “A man should fulfil his duty as her husband and a woman should fulfil her duty as a wife, and each should satisfy the other’s needs.”
1 Corinthians 7:3-5
Jesus said that forgiveness is important in a marriage, too. In one story, he surprised a crowd with his attitude towards a woman who has been caught committing adultery.
‘ If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.
John 8: 3-11
Although Christians believe adultery is a very serious sin, they are to show love, compassion and forgiveness, and to think about whether their own behaviour is perfect before they criticise other people.
