The Bible teaches that marriage is a holy, covenantal union between one man and one woman, ordained by God for mutual help, the godly raising of children, and the protection against sexual immorality. While Reformed and Presbyterian traditions emphasize marriage's role in growing the Church with a holy seed, many Baptist traditions focus on the mutual help of the spouses and the prevention of uncleanness.
Marriage is fundamentally defined in Scripture as a union between one man and one woman. This is a foundational, creational ordinance, as noted in 1689 LBCF Ch.25 §1. The beauty of marriage is that it serves as a living, breathing picture of the gospel itself—the union between Christ and His Church. As the Apostle Paul writes, it is a great mystery that reflects the profound love and self-giving sacrifice of our Savior for His people. Therefore, marriage is not merely a social contract, but a sacred covenant entered into before God, intended to be held in honor by all (1 Corinthians 7:2).
The Scriptures and our confessions highlight that marriage was ordained for the mutual help of the couple, the procreation of children, and the prevention of uncleanness. As expressed in 1689 LBCF Ch.25 §2, this union provides a remedy for the weakness of our flesh. The Apostle Paul instructs that spouses are to render to one another their due, not defrauding each other, so that they might guard against temptation and live in peace (1 Corinthians 7:3-5). In Christ, even the challenges of marriage—or the complexities of living with an unbelieving spouse—become a context where the believer is called to reflect the grace and peace of God.