A Verse That Defines Marriage

“Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.”

The Hebrew writer provides in this one verse a great deal of information about marriage that will benefit us all.

Marriage: The Union of Marriage is from God, Genesis 1-2. God has designed and defined what marriage is (one man and one woman who both have the right before God to be married). Marriage is a blessing and has been around from the beginning. The first marriage was Adam and Eve. Jesus goes back to Adam and Eve as He spoke about marriage, separation, and divorce, Matthew 19:1-6.

Marriage is to be held in honor among all. We quickly see the kind of respect and honor one should have with respect to marriage. It is not to be quickly rushed into. “This includes respect for one’s own marriage as well as the marriage of others.” [1]

And the marriage bed is to be undefiled. Each husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. Each wife is to submit to her husband. The marriage bed (refers to the sexual union) that’s to be enjoyed between a husband and wife. “The sexual relationship is only for those who are married (1 Corinthians 7:2; Matthew 5:32; Matthew 19:4-9). God has created this relationship in the beginning, and it just as much a part of God’s design for the world as the sun and the moon (Genesis 2:24). Sexual infidelity was common in the ancient world, possibly more so among Greeks than Romans. In ancient Greek culture, it was assumed that a man would have both a wife (for bearing children) and a mistress (for sexual pleasure). Augustus outlawed adultery among Romans, but this probably only had the effect of making the practice more discreet. However, even some pagans bemoaned the loss of morality that adultery signaled. Christians ought be known as people who neither condone nor practice fornication (Ephesians 5:3). [2]

“…For fornicators and adulterers God will judge…”  Those who engage in fornication and adultery face judgment before God. Godly repentance is necessary. “Fornication and adultery are not just sins against one’s flesh (1 Corinthians 6:18), they are also the manifestation of a worldly and fleshly mind and heart (Matthew 15:19) that really cares nothing for what God says. A lack of respect for God’s design for marriage betrays a preference for the gratification of the flesh rather than pleasing God, and is a step toward complete renunciation of Jesus. Conversely, having the proper attitude toward marriage is part of having a mind that is set on the things of God (Romans 8:6). God is the ultimate judge. Sometimes, people get away with things, but God sees all. He will judge accordingly.

[1] Rober McAlsister commentary on Hebrews page 494

[2] Ibid