According to Christian belief, God saw the value of marriage from the beginning of the creation of mankind. When he created Adam, it was clear that Adam was not complete in and of himself, so Christians believe that God chose to create Eve to be Adam's companion. Even though Eve was a gift from God to complete Adam, marriages, including Christian marriages, are not without challenges.
Considering what the Bible says about marriage can help Christian couples to stay on track. In fact, Christians may find many bits of marriage advice from the Bible.
Physical Intimacy is Important in the Context of Christian Marriage
Christians believe that God never intended the physical aspect of the marital relationship to be lacking in any way. 1 Corinthians 7:4-6 states, "The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control." (NKJV)
The Bible is clear on the subject of regular physical relations between husband and wife, with both husband and wife seeking to please each other. The exception is that upon mutual consent, physical intimacy between husband and wife may be suspended for a short period of time for the purpose of prayer and fasting.
Love and Respect Are Important Aspects of Christian Marriage
Both men and women want to be loved and respected, but Christians believe that the Bible makes it clear that more than anything, men need respect, particularly from their wives, and more than anything, wives need to be loved, particularly by their husbands.
Ephesians 5:33 discusses this point, stating that, "each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." (NIV)
God Designated Man as Head of the Household in Christian Marriage
One potentially controversial Christian belief holds that God appointed the man as the "head of the household" in the Christian marriage.
Ephesians 5:21-25 discusses this point, saying, "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." (NIV)
Submission of a wife to a husband is a matter of much debate, for good reason. After all, if the concept of a wife submitting to her husband is taken out of context, it can be abused. However, within the biblical context it is clear that husbands have a responsibility to love their wives to the point of being willing to die for them. When a man loves his wife to such an extent that he is willing to give up his life for her, a Christian wife can be submissive without fearing her husband will abuse or mistreat her in any way.
This marriage Bible study barely scratches the surface of what Christian marriage is all about. For further reading on this subject, consider the following resources:
- Love and Respect: The Love She Most Desires; the Respect He Desperately Needs.
- The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Spouse.
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