Recent discussions of and with a number of Christians in my life led me to delve into the issue of a man’s role and a woman’s role within marriage. As I studied I came across a number of good teachings from a number of solid Christians. This is, hopefully, the first in a multi-part collection of my own lessons, convictions, and beliefs regarding the nature of men and women, the purpose of marriage, and the clear and concise teaching of Holy Scripture on this subject.
Introductory comments: In today’s society and culture there are few things as damaged, tattered, and torn as the institution of marriage. The impact of this ruptured remnant of Biblical authority being lost within our lives is immense; it’s weight bearing down upon the fabric of culture, tearing it apart at the seams.
Beyond the financial ramifications, which are usually substantial, the emotional repercussions are often life-changing and persistent, carrying with them the sort of shame, remorse, bitterness, and distrust that effects the potential for future positive relationship growth.
A proper understanding of God’s purpose for marriage and the distinctly unique roles of a Christian husband and a Christian wife can serve to lay the foundation for a loving, lasting, unbreakable covenent relationship.
Part 1 – God’s Purpose for Marriage
Ephesians 5:31,32:
31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”[e] 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
From this passage in Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus we see that the deepest, truest purpose of marriage is to be a reflection, a representation, a likeness of how Christ related to and treated His Church. This is NOT simply an illustration, or an insteresting and satisfying perspective of marriage, this is the true meaning of marriage.
Quoting CJ Mahaney:
“So we see that there is a purpose in marriage that goes beyond personal fulfillment. Something of the selfless love, care, and sacrifice that Jesus shows toward the Church is supposed to be evident in you as you relate to your wife. Something of the respect, submission, and devotion that the Church shows toward Jesus is supposed to be evident in your wife as she relates to you. That’s the purpose for your marriage. That is why God has given her to you, and you to her.”
From John MacArthur:
“Marriage is the capstone of the family, the building block of human civilization. A society that does not honor and protect marriage undermines its very existence. Why? Because one of God’s designs for marriage is to show the next generation how a husband and wife demonstrate reciprocal, sacrificial love toward each other.
But when husbands and wives forsake that love, their marriage fails to be what God intended. When marriage fails, the whole family falls apart; when the family fails, the whole society suffers. And stories of societal suffering fill the headlines every day.
Now, more than ever before, is the time for Christians to declare and put on display what the Bible declares: God’s standard for marriage and the family is the only standard that can produce meaning, happiness, and fulfillment.”
Society is falling apart all around us. In an increasingly unbelieving and secular culture that is predicated upon instant gratification, selfish desires, and foolish pride, we must seek after the wisdom of Holy Scripture, and comform ourselves to the model we have been given in Christ.
Christian, your marriage is projecting a message into the world for all to see, like it or not. Examine yourself. …Examine your life and the fruits you are bearing.
Again, John MacArthur:
“If you’ll walk in the power of the Spirit, yield to His Word, and be mutually submissive, you can know that God will bless you abundantly and glorify His Son through your marriage.”
