A peaceful reading of this page.
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"For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church."
Ephesians 5:31-32 · King James Bible
What marriage is
In Scripture, marriage is not a contract that can be broken when convenient. It is a covenant — a solemn, God-witnessed union of one man and one woman for life. Genesis 2 gives us the first wedding: 'Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.' Jesus quotes this exact line when asked about divorce (Matthew 19:5). Paul quotes it again in Ephesians 5. It is the founding text.A picture of Christ and the Church
Ephesians 5 says marriage is a mystery pointing to something greater: the love of Christ for his Church. Husbands are told to love their wives 'as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it' — a costly, laying-down love. Wives are called to a corresponding trust and honour. The Christian husband who reads Ephesians 5 rightly will be more sobered than empowered. It is the man who is being asked to die first.The daily labour
A good marriage is not an accident of chemistry. It is a daily labour of small kindnesses. Speak well of your spouse to others. Do not argue in front of the children. Do not go to bed angry (Ephesians 4:26). Pray together — even one minute is enough. Serve each other in specific ways. Say 'thank you' out loud. Forgive quickly. Assume the best. Guard your eyes and your speech.Money, sex, and time
The three great arguments in most marriages. Deal with them plainly:Money — decide together, budget together, tithe together. Do not have separate secret accounts.
Sex — belongs inside marriage, freely and generously (1 Corinthians 7:3–5). It is not a weapon and not a reward.
Time — every marriage needs unhurried, undistracted hours to survive. Turn off the phones for one evening a week. Take a walk. Sit and read. Do nothing together sometimes.