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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Is common law marriage acceptable | Heb 13:4 | always searching the Word | 226773 | ||
I want to know how God sees marriage. Is common law marriage biblically acceptable if all other requirements are met other than a ceremony with a license, i.e. the marriage is between one man and one woman, they are both Christians? This is a subject that has come up in Bible study and we can't seem to find a definitive, scriptural answer. Glad for any help. | ||||||
2 | Is common law marriage acceptable | Heb 13:4 | BradK | 226774 | ||
Hello always, Welcome to the Forum. I honestly don't see "common law marriage" being acceptable or otherwise supported by scripture. It's like playing house without any commitment before God or men! If Heb. 13:4 is any guide, we don't see it here: "Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge." (NASB) This doesn't refer to "common law marriage" but rather a union between man and woman! Further, Eph. 5:24 says, "But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything." (NASB) cf. 5:22. The biblical directive here is to "wives" and "husbands" One cannot be referred to as such without being officially married, can they? Possibly, Naves Topical Bible may be of some help (or use) in studying this? Here's the section from it titled, MARRIAGE. In family blood lines, Abraham and Sarah, Gen. 11:29; 12:13; 20:3, 9–16. Isaac and Rebekah, Gen. 24:3, 4, 67; 28:2. Jacob and his wives, Gen. 29:15–30; see below, in the elaborated text. Levirate (the brother required to marry a brother’s widow), Gen. 38:8, 11; Deut. 25:5–10; Ruth 4:5; Matt. 22:24; Mark 12:19–23; Luke 20:28. Parents contract for their children: Hagar selects a wife for Ishmael, Gen. 21:21; Abraham for Isaac, Gen. 24; Laban arranges for his daughters’ marriage, Gen. 29; Samson asks his parents to procure him a wife, Judg. 14:2. Parents’ consent required in the Mosaic law, Ex. 22:17. Presents given to parents to secure their favor, Gen. 24:53; 34:12; Deut. 22:29; 1 Sam. 18:25; Hos. 3:2. Marriage feasts, Gen. 29:22; Judg. 14:12; Esth. 2:18; Matt. 22:11, 12. Jesus present at, John 2:1–5. Ceremony attested by witnesses, Ruth 4:1–11; Isa. 8:1–3. Bridegroom exempt one year from military duty, Deut. 24:5. Bridal ornaments, Isa. 49:18; Jer. 2:32. Bridal presents, Gen. 24:53; Psa. 45:12. Herald preceded the bridegroom, Matt. 25:6. Wedding robes adorned with jewels, Isa. 61:10. Wives obtained by purchase, Gen. 29:20; Ruth 4:10; Hos. 3:2; 12:12; by kidnapping, Judg. 21:21–23. Given by Kings, 1 Sam. 17:25; 18:17, 21. Daughters given in, as rewards of valor, Judg. 1:12; 1 Sam. 17:25; 18:27. Wives taken by edict, Esth. 2:2–4, 8–14. David gave one hundred Philistine foreskins for a wife, 2 Sam. 3:14. Wives among the Israelites must be Israelites, Ex. 34:16; Deut. 7:3, 4; 1 Chr. 23:22; Ezra 9:1, 2, 12; Neh. 10:30; 13:26, 27; Mal. 2:11; 1 Cor. 7:39; 2 Cor. 6:14. Betrothal a quasi-marriage, Matt. 1:18; Luke 1:27. Betrothal made with the spirit, Ezek. 16:8. Celibacy deplored, Judg. 11:38; Isa. 4:1; Jer. 16:9; advised, 1 Cor. 7:7, 8, 24–40. Obligations under, inferior to duty to God, Deut. 13:6–10; Matt. 19:29; Luke 14:26. Not binding after death, Matt. 22:29, 30; Mark 12:24, 25. See BRIDE; BRIDEGROOM. Unclassified Scriptures Relating to: Gen. 2:23, 24 1 Cor. 6:16. Ex. 22:16, 17; Lev. 18:6–8 [Deut. 22:30.] Lev. 18:9–18; Lev. 20:14, 17, 19–21; Lev. 21:1, 7, 13–15; Num. 36:8; Deut. 21:10–14; Deut. 24:1–5; Prov. 18:22; Prov. 21:9, 19; Jer. 29:6; Hos. 2:19, 20; Mal. 2:13–16; Matt. 5:31, 32; Mark 6:17, 18; Mark 10:2–12 Matt. 19:2–9. Luke 16:18; Rom. 7:1–3; 1 Cor. 7:1–40; 1 Cor. 9:5; 1 Cor. 11:11, 12; 1 Tim. 3:2, 12; 1 Tim. 4:1, 3; 1 Tim. 5:14; Heb. 13:4 Figurative: Isa. 54:5; 62:4, 5; Jer. 3:14; 31:32; Hos. 1:2; 2:19, 20; Eph. 5:30–32; Rev. 19:7–9. Parables from, Matt. 22:2; 25:1–10. Speaking the Truth in Love, BradK |
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3 | Is common law marriage acceptable | Heb 13:4 | always searching the Word | 226783 | ||
Hey BradK-thanks for your input. I agree with your reply and I believe that marriage is between one man and one woman. the argument is what is "marriage" in God's eyes? How were people "married" in the old testament and the new testament. Not just the Jewish customs but also greek, etc. What if common law is legal where one lives. | ||||||
4 | Is common law marriage acceptable | Heb 13:4 | Beja | 226786 | ||
Always searching the word, I can tell you from a pastor's perspective, and perhaps in general, one of the hardest questions to really answer well is one where we must first grant a context in which somebody is disobedient to God. Many times a Christian will ask what is right for them once they have already gone so far outside of God's will that things are hopelessly confused. This is one of those questions. You ask, given that a man is going to live with a woman for so many years that finally even the unbelievers accept them as married, does God now accept it? God forbid a believer ever reach the point that we need to find out! Where was the concern for God's will for the many past years? The problem boils down to this: the scriptures do not give us explinations for what we are to do while we are in the midst of ignoring all the other commands of God. This is why your question will be very difficult indeed. In Christ, Beja |
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5 | Is common law marriage acceptable | Heb 13:4 | DD4Truth | 226795 | ||
Hello Always searching the word, My thoughts are that for a relationship to be considered a marriage before God and man, whatever ceremony is common to the culture and laws of the culture need to be followed. Even though the ceremony is officiated by man, we are told that "So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate." Matt 19:6. Without a weeding two people are not considered to be married. DD4Truth |
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