Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. (Genesis 2:24) Repeated in Matthew 19:5, Mark 10:17 and in the gospels Ephesians 5:31.

Marriage is a holy union instituted by God. It is God’s idea and not a derivative of any culture. It is between a man (matured male) and a woman (matured female) and nothing more. The relationship is to provide the needed fellowship, comfort, companionship and partnership. (Genesis 2:18)

It is one of God’s method to keep men and women free from fornication and immorality. With very few exceptions, most men and women are to marry. These few exceptions are to receive God’s guidance and are not to be the product of infantile decisions, misguided imitations, faithless consecration or frivolous religious compassion. (Genesis 2:18-20, 22-24; Matthew 19:4, 5; Ephesians 5:31; 1 Corinthians 7:1,2, 25-29,32)

Marriage is part of God’s plan to raise the Christian family. Marriage is not for boys and girls. Choosing a wife must not be by ‘sampling’ or ‘picking and choosing’ but by God’s leading. “…I will make him an help meet for him.” (Genesis 2:18b). God already have a woman for every man, every man or woman that have a relationship with God through salvation can ask God for the partner made for him and God will lead him or her.

God’s word forbids the believer from marrying “any that is near of kin” that is “a relative” (Leviticus 18:6). Marrying relatives was prohibited by God for physical, social and moral reasons. Children born to near relatives may experience serious health problems. When improper sexual relations begin, family life is destroyed.

Moreover, marriage is binding for life. Monogamy is the uniform teaching of the Bible. Polygamy is contrary to God’s perfect will and institution. No one has a right to divorce and remarry while the first companion lives. (Genesis 2:24; Deuteronomy 7:1-4; Job 23:11-13; 2Corinthians 6:14-18; Proverbs 31:10-31; Malachi 2:14,15; Romans 7:2,3; Ephesians 5:31-33; Matthew 5:31,32, 19:3-9; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:18; John 4:15-19; Genesis 20:3-7)

From Bible Doctrines by DCLM