If you are married, you may have discovered why marriage is so important and experienced some of the good that comes from it. Or, maybe marriage was hard for some of you and you’re no longer married. However, there is hope. But that hope starts with realizing that marriage can be more amazing than you have experienced or even thought.
Marriage is the intimate union and equal partnership of a man and a woman. It comes to us from the hand of God, who created male and female in his image, so that they might become one body and might be fertile and multiply (See Genesis chapters 1 and 2). Though man and woman are equal as God’s children, they are created with important differences that allow them to give themselves and to receive the other as a gift.
Marriage is both a natural institution and a sacred union because it is rooted in the divine plan of creation. In addition, the Catholic Church teaches that the valid marriage between two baptized Christians is also a sacrament — a saving reality and a symbol of Christ’s love for his church (See Ephesians 5:25–33). In every marriage the spouses make a contract with each other. In a sacramental marriage the couple also enters into a covenant in which their love is sealed and strengthened by God’s love.
What Are Purposes for Marriage?
God designed marriage to fulfill six important and vital functions. When we understand them, we will be better able to honor marriage.
1. Companionship
True companionship grows out of a oneness of spirit. This occurs in marriage when both the husband and wife can say, “My spouse is my best friend.” “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3).
2. Enjoyment
The principle behind enjoyment is self-control. “Marriage is honorable [precious] in all, and the bed [should be kept] undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4).
3. Completeness
God designed Eve to complete that which was lacking in Adam’s life. “And Adam said, … She shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man” (Genesis 2:23).
4. Fruitfulness
God’s first command in Scripture is this: “… Be fruitful [bear fruit], and multiply [increase], and replenish [fill] the earth …” (Genesis 1:28).
The very nature and character of God is to multiply life, whereas the nature and character of Satan is to multiply death.
5. Protection
A husband is to protect his wife by laying down his life for her. (See Ephesians 5:25.) A wife is to protect the interests of her home. (See Titus 2:4–5.) Parents are to protect their children to raise up a Godly seed.
