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NASB | Matthew 19:5 and said, 'FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH'? |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 19:5 and said, 'FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED INSEPARABLY TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH'? [Gen 1:27; 2:24; Mark 10:7] |
Bible Question: I agree that part of the validity of marriage is when it is publically recognized, but the central core of the covenant vow is when the 2 parties vow to enter into this contract not just with their words, but with their hearts. I'm not referring here to the feeling of love. There have been a plethora of people who did not feel love for one another, but married with the intention to love. That is, they truly entered into a covenant in which they both agreed to uphold. These two friends of mine essentially purposely lied to the state when they promised what they promised. In their hearts, they intentionally defrauded the state, but not God. They both were in agreement that this was a false promise and even told God that they did not mean what they were about to do. They did not believe they were entering into a covenant before God. I realize that according to the state and to the law, they did marry, but before God did they really? If you are going to base a true biblical marriage soley on the recognition of the state, then what do you do with gay marriages that are recognized legally by the state? I am not saying that there is not a crucial legal dimension neccessary for marriage to be valid (i.e public,witnessed declaration), but I am saying that the most fundamental dimension to what makes a marriage valid in the eyes of God is when the two parties truly agree in their hearts that they genuinely intend and promise to hold up this covenant. If they simply mouthed the words, but did not inwardly intend to uphold them how can God recognize it as valid? |
Bible Answer: Hello rodent tamer, I believe it's important to begin my response by reminding you that the Scriptures teach us to be subject to the rules and laws of society where they do not conflict with the higher moral authority of God revealed in scripture. Romans 13:1 (NKJV) 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. So if a man and woman are married officially, through the legal system of their society; they are married indeed and bound to one another and the obligations and responsibilities that go with the oath they have made. With proper consideration for what the bible teaches, the blurred lines of confusion should be brought into clear focus. Submitting to the vows and commitment of marriage publicly and legally while not honoring that in our heart and intent is not consistent with what the bible teaches; nor is it a valid excuse relieving us of the obligations and responsibilities of our condition. The bible clearly teaches that if we make an oath, even a foolish one, we are held accountable by God. Biblical support for this can be provided if you are not familiar. Regarding your concern/question about homosexuals taking that same oath, the same principle applies as above. It may be recognized legally, but it is not consistent with God's moral laws. It is recognized by God as sin. Genesis 2:21-25 (NASB95) 2:21 So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. 22 The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. 23 The man said, "This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man." 24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed. Marriage is ordained by God between a man and a woman. If if that is rebelled against through public law, it has no validity before God. I have no idea how many times I have said it but I will say it again here. One of the biggest mistakes we can make is to attempt to philosophize a position in an attempt to find loop-holes in the truth. There are no loop-holes, there is only acceptance or rejection. Hope this helps, Jeff |