The unity between the man and the woman in marriage is so intimate that the Bible describes it with the words ‘joined’ and ‘one flesh.’ The relationship between the married couple is closer that the tie between children and their parents. Indeed, a man leaves his father and mother in order to be joined to his wife in marriage.

‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh’ (Genesis 2:24).

That marriage is a relationship between two persons of the opposite sex should be obvious. But in our age of homosexual perversion, we must affirm that the Lord made a woman, Eve, for the man, Adam. As someone said, God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve! That marriage is the union of one man and one woman is also obvious, because the Lord created one woman for one man. Thus, in the original pattern of marriage, polygamy is also excluded.

That marriage is a covenant of companionship can be seen from Malachi 2:14: ‘the wife of your youth…she is your companion and the wife of thy covenant.’ Indeed, the primary purpose of marriage is not procreation, but companionship. When God created Adam, He said that it is not good that man should be alone. And the solution to this basic problem - solitude - or, to put it in another way, the fulfillment of man’s basic need, companionship, is marriage. ‘I will make him a help meet for him’ God said. (Genesis 2:18).

That marriage is for life is clear from Jesus’ words: ‘What God has joined together, let not man put asunder’ (Matthew 19:6), and the words of the apostle Paul: ‘The woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth’ (Romans 7:2).