Marriage in Christianity

This section explains marriage in Christianity. Marriage in Christianity is considered a sacred institution with deep spiritual meaning. It is a covenant with God, a partnership that reflects the love of Christ for the Church, and an important means of fulfilling God’s purpose for human life. While divorce is generally discouraged, certain exceptions are made, particularly in cases of marital infidelity. The Christian understanding of marriage continues to shape the beliefs and practices of millions of people worldwide.

The Nature and Purpose of Marriage

In Christianity, marriage is regarded as a sacred gift from God and is often described as a covenant between the couple and God. Many Christians believe that the love between a husband and wife should reflect the deep and enduring love that Christ has for the Church. This understanding emphasises that marriage is not merely a contractual agreement between two individuals, but rather a spiritual commitment with divine significance.

A Christian wedding ceremony is seen as the public declaration of this covenant. It is a celebration not only of the couple’s love for one another, but also of their commitment to honour and serve God through their union. Different Christian denominations may have varying views on the sanctity and purpose of marriage, but the underlying theme remains consistent: marriage is sacred and is intended to be a lifelong bond between two people.

The Purpose of Marriage in Christian Teaching

For many Christians, the primary purpose of marriage is to honour God. This is based on teachings found in the Bible. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus reminds His followers of God’s original design for marriage:

"Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."
— Matthew 19:4-6

This passage emphasises the idea that marriage is a divinely ordained institution, where the couple forms a new family unit that reflects God’s intention for human relationships. Many Christians see marriage as a way to fulfil God’s command to leave one's parents and commit to a lifelong partnership with a spouse.

Another important aspect of marriage for Christians is procreation. In the Book of Genesis, God commands mankind to "be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:28). Many Christians interpret this as a divine instruction for married couples to have children. Children are viewed as a blessing from God and an integral part of the marital relationship. The Bible further reinforces this idea with the following verse:

“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”
— Psalm 127:3

For Christians, having children within the context of marriage is seen as fulfilling God’s purpose for humanity and continuing the cycle of life as part of God's plan.

Marriage as a Sacrament

For Roman Catholic Christians, marriage is not just a contract; it is a sacrament, a visible sign of God’s grace. The sacrament of marriage signifies the total and unconditional commitment one person makes to another, with God at the centre of the relationship. This commitment is viewed as sacred, with the married couple making a public declaration of their faith through their union.

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that marriage was established by God, and that God is the author of the institution:

“The married state has been established by the Creator … God himself is the author of marriage.”
— Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1604

This reflects the belief that marriage is not just a human institution but has divine origins, and its purpose is to bring the couple closer to God through mutual love, respect, and service.

Polygamy

Polygamy, the practice of having more than one spouse at the same time, is generally not accepted in Christianity. While it is illegal in the UK and most Western countries, certain Christian denominations, such as the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (a branch of Mormonism), permit polygamy. However, it is important to note that polygamy is not widely practiced or accepted across the broader Christian community. In traditional Christian teachings, marriage is regarded as a union between one man and one woman.

Divorce and Remarriage

Divorce is the legal process that ends a marriage. In Christianity, divorce is often viewed with caution and is generally not encouraged. This is due to the Bible’s teachings, particularly those of Jesus, who stated that anyone who divorces and remarries, except in cases of sexual immorality, commits adultery:

“I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
— Matthew 19:9

The prohibition of adultery is also emphasised in the Ten Commandments, where it is stated:

“You shall not commit adultery.”
— Exodus 20:14

Because adultery is considered a sin, most Christians take the decision to divorce very seriously. However, Jesus does make an allowance for divorce in cases where one partner has been unfaithful. This exception recognises that in such circumstances, the marital bond may have been broken, and the injured spouse is not bound to remain in the marriage.

For Roman Catholics, divorce is not recognised as valid. The Church teaches that marriage is a sacrament that cannot be undone, and therefore, divorce does not end the marital bond. Instead, the Catholic Church offers the option of an annulment, which declares that the marriage was never valid in the first place due to certain conditions not being met. In Catholic teaching, a marriage can only end when one partner dies, or if an annulment is granted, which is based on specific grounds such as lack of consent or incapacity to form a lasting union.