The purpose of marriage

Lets see what is John Stott's view on the purpose of marriage.....

From Genesis 1 and 2, there are three main purposes:
1) Be fruitful and increase in number (Gen 1:28) – procreation.
2) It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him (Gen 2:18) – the mutual society, help and comfort that the one ought to have of the other both in prosperity and adversity.
3) Intended to be that reciprocal commitment of self-giving love which finds its natural expression in sexual union, or becoming “one flesh” (Gen 2:24).

Marriage exists in God’s sight when a man leaves his parents, with a view not merely to living apart from them but to “cleaving” to his wife and becoming one flesh with her. It also denotes the replacement relationship of child-parent to husband-wife.

In short, the biblical definition for marriage is an exclusive heterosexual covenant between one man and one woman, ordained and sealed by God, preceded by a public leaving of parents, consummated in sexual union, issuing in a permanent mutually supportive partnership, and normally crowned by the gift of children.

Note: From "Issues Facing Christians Today" by John Stott.

Photographed in Hoover's Memorial Park, Sibu.

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