Skip to main content

Search LearnTheBible

The Institution of Marriage

Introduction: God created man and gave him work to do (Genesis 2:7-8, 15, 19) but there was still something lacking. Man was alone.

  1. THE PROBLEM OF MARRIAGE
    1. A Wife is a Good Thing (Proverbs 18:22)
    2. Marriage is Trouble in the Flesh (1Corinthians 7:27-28)
  2. THE BENEFITS OF MARRIAGE (Genesis 2:18)
    1. Companionship not alone
      1. The strength of companionship (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
      2. The companionship of marriage (Matthew 19:4-6)
    2. Comfort an help
      1. The wife to her husband (Titus 2:4-5)
      2. The husband to his wife (Ephesians 5:25-29)
    3. Completion meet for him
      1. The word, meet, means fit, proper or just right for a particular need (2Timothy 2:21)
      2. Made for each other (1Corinthians 11:10-11)
      3. Complementing each other (1Peter 3:1-7)
  3. THE SACRIFICE OF THE MAN (Genesis 2:21-22)
    1. He Came to the Point of Death (Genesis 2:21; John 3:16; Ephesians 5:25); Note: Jesus Christ is the last Adam (1Corinthians 15:45).  His bride is the church (Ephesians 5:23-25).  Adams deep sleep is a type of the death of Christ and His giving of Himself for the church (Ephesians 5:25).  The rib taken from Adam and the declaration that Eve is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh is a type of the relationship of Christ to the church.  For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones (Ephesians 5:30).  No wonder Paul said that this was a great mystery (Ephesians 5:32).
    2. He Gave Up One of His Ribs (Genesis 2:22; Ephesians 5:28-29)
  4. THE SACRIFICE OF THE WOMAN (Genesis 2:23-25)
    1. Her Husband is Part of Her (Genesis 2:23)
    2.  Her Family is Left Behind (Genesis 2:24); Note: From the beginning, marriage consisted of a man leaving his family, cleaning unto his wife and becoming one with her.  Read especially Matthew 19:4-6.  As such, marriage is the first earthly institution established by God.  The other two are human government and the church.
    3. Her Privacy Has Departed (Genesis 2:25; Hebrews 13:4)

Conclusion: Great sacrifice for a worthy cause can lead to great joy (Song of Solomon 3:1-4; Song of Solomon 8:6-7); but you must pass through times of trouble in the flesh (1Corinthians 7:27-28).