Because so many have little respect for Bible teaching about marriage, it is a good time to call attention to some Biblical facts about this important relationship.

1) God himself instituted marriage. After God had created man, he said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him" (Gen. 2: 18). This was the very thing that God did. From the rib of man, God made a woman and this woman became the wife of Adam (Gen. 2:21-25). Solomon said, "Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing and obtaineth favor of the Lord" (Pr. 18:22).

2) Marriage makes husband and wife one. Jesus quotes what had been said in the beginning about this, "For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh" (Matt. 19:5). Marriage does not make husband and wife one person, but they are one in purpose and should have lots of things in common.

3) There must be mutual love on the part of husband and wife. Too many marriages do not hold together and one reason is there is a lack of mutual love. The Bible teaches that the husband is to love his own wife as himself (Eph. 5:28-29), and the wife is to love her husband (Tit. 2:4-5).

4) The husband is the head of the wife. Paul said, "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church and he is the savior of the body" (Eph. 5:23). The wife must submit herself to his headship (Eph. 5:21-22).

5) The husband is to provide for his own. Paul said, "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel" (I Tim. 5:8).

6) Marriage is for life. God's plan from the beginning was one man for one woman for life. "What therefore God hath joined together let not man put asunder" (Matt. 19:6). When you say, "I do" it must be "as long as we both shall live."

TRUTH MAGAZINE X: 12, p. 1a September 1966