Marriage, in the eyes of God

[Firefighter]

Although WILDLY unpopular, as Bill suggested, I am forced to agree with him. (NOT that that is a bad thing...)

Biblically, it must have been a given. We see Paul reference it rhetorically in 1 Corinthians 6 like it should have been general knowledge...

1Co 6:16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.

[Buck shot]

Howdy Crunchy Christian,

Although i do not agree with th1bill's interpretation of marriage, i do agree that you are married to your husband.

I am a pastor and can tell you it's God that has to put us together as husband and wife. The judge or the preacher who performs the ceremony is only a formality . A much needed formality!

The first miracle that Jesus performed was at a marriage and i don't think we should down play the act of coming together publicly to be wed even if it is at a courthouse, yard, or even in a barn. Some of us who live in the southern USA have seen some of these

[markdrums]

I think the word "Joined" has a different meaning than "being sexually intimate".

Reason being- look at the 2 verses that follow.

1Cr 6:17But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
1Cr 6:18Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
From what I understand, the context of "joined" is partnered with, or committed to.... (or something along those lines.)
And if sex alone constitues "marriage" in God's eyes, it wouldn't make sense to call it fornication/sin, as it is above.

I'm not completely sold on the "sex = marriage in God's eyes" explanation.

[Moxie]

Hi Crunchy Christian,

A NT example is the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:16-17 it says, He told her, "Go, call your husband and come back. "I have no husband," she replied. Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true."

She was living with this man outside of the confines of marriage and presumably having s*x. The state in which she was living was sinful--we know this because in verse 13 Jesus is offering Himself to her as the living water.

Jesus did not tell her to remain with this man because she was now married to him. He confirmed her truth that the man she was with was not her husband.

[CrunchyChristian]

Hi Crunchy Christian,

A NT example is the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:16-17 it says, He told her, "Go, call your husband and come back. "I have no husband," she replied. Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true."

She was living with this man outside of the confines of marriage and presumably having s*x. The state in which she was living was sinful--we know this because in verse 13 Jesus is offering Himself to her as the living water.

Jesus did not tell her to remain with this man because she was now married to him. He confirmed her truth that the man she was with was not her husband.

So, what constituted those five marriages? It must have been a ceremony otherwise she would've been married to the one she was with, right?

I think I'm more confused now that I was when I first posted! LOL!

[Moxie]

So, what constituted those five marriages? It must have been a ceremony otherwise she would've been married to the one she was with, right?

I think I'm more confused now that I was when I first posted! LOL!

Crunchy,

Without more study on the customs, I am unable to give you a complete answer. However, if we look at Malachi 2:14-16. Specifically, verse 14 He says, "You ask, Why? It is because the Lord is acting as a witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner the wife of your marriage covenant.

The man and woman come together at some point in agreement with one another and agree to make a covenant of marriage. The Hebrew term for covenant (berit) was describing binding relationships between man and woman or man and God. The concept was a legal background between two parties. These agreements are binding obligations. Hence, the term what God has bound together let no man put asunder. If God, is binding two together there has to be more than just a s*xual encounter, otherwise the scriptures about fornication would be different, no? Likewise, what if a couple is unable to consummate the marriage are they any less bound together?

[Faithwalker]

... You will have noticed that I said the truth of my words oft caused me a great deal of trouble? This is exactly of what I spoke, premarital sex is an oxymoron! The very moment two people couple (have sex) they are, in the eyes of God, married!

I agree. This understanding is rejected, but one must ask themselves this: If God ,being a God of detail, gave very detailed instructions to His people on how to conduct their lives, especially so where it concerns 'morality', but never once gave any instruction commanding (public) nuptials or ceremonies for marriage under the old covenant or new, where do we get the idea that marriage (a man and woman uniting before God in the bond of holy matrimony) must involve some sort of public profession of commitment before men? Where? Because Jews adopted the tradition of having elaborate wedding celebrations? The Jews loved their traditions. Is that to be our final answer? Tradition?

[-SEEKING-]

And now two and a half years later ........

[ChristianCoffee]

And now two and a half years later ........

But it is good: it means that someone is searching to see what others have written here on subjects that interest them. And we can be refreshed on things as well.

Is that not a good thing?

And, personally, I have read posts by this OP and find them very insightful.


In Him,

CC

Romans 8:15-17

[Faithwalker]

But it is good: it means that someone is searching to see what others have written here on subjects that interest them. And we can be refreshed on things as well.

Is that not a good thing?

And, personally, I have read posts by this OP and find them very insightful.


In Him,

CC

Romans 8:15-17

It is very good sayeth I

[Faithwalker]

And now two and a half years later ........

Sarcasm does`nt work on Donkeys

[-SEEKING-]

Sarcasm does`nt work on Donkeys

Sorry. It's a pet peeve of mine.

(Quietly exits with head down in shame)

[Faithwalker]

Sorry. It's a pet peeve of mine.

(Quietly exits with head down in shame)

A little suggestion...perhaps you should consider having your pet put to sleep

Bible Forums is on Google. I wandered unto this topic from Google. I did`nt look at the date, because I did`nt know Truth had an expiry date.

[John 8:32]

Then what about pre-marital sex?

1Co 6:16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.

[John 8:32]

Crunchy,

Without more study on the customs, I am unable to give you a complete answer. However, if we look at Malachi 2:14-16. Specifically, verse 14 He says, "You ask, Why? It is because the Lord is acting as a witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner the wife of your marriage covenant.

The man and woman come together at some point in agreement with one another and agree to make a covenant of marriage. The Hebrew term for covenant (berit) was describing binding relationships between man and woman or man and God. The concept was a legal background between two parties. These agreements are binding obligations. Hence, the term what God has bound together let no man put asunder. If God, is binding two together there has to be more than just a s*xual encounter, otherwise the scriptures about fornication would be different, no? Likewise, what if a couple is unable to consummate the marriage are they any less bound together?

Deu 22:28 If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found;
Deu 22:29 Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days.

God views things differently than this promiscuous society.