Marriage

This word-study and the next several will deal with the relationship between men and women, along with the word-study on adultery, which issued in July 1997.

1060 GAMEO (30): to marry, to wed. Used in context with “wife” (1135 gune) in Mt.5.32, 19.9,10, 22.25, Mk.6.17, 10.11, 12.25, Lk.14.20 and 1Co.7.33. Used in context with “husband” (0435 aner) in Mk.10.12, 1Co.7.10,28.34,39.

Gameo is the opposite of “dismiss” (0630 apoluo) in Mt.5.32, 19.9, Mk.10.11, 12 and Lk.16.18; which see regarding misuse of the word “divorce.” Comp. “marriage” (1062 gamos) and its opposite, “unmarried” (0022 agamos).

See also “give in marriage” (1547 ekgamizo), and “become” (1096 ginomai) in Rom.7.3,4. Comp. “take a wife” (1918 epigambreuo).

In Mt.19.5 (c.f. Mk.10.7-8) Yesu quoted Gen.2.24 (almost verbatim in the Septuagint translation). The context of these two passages show that Gen.2.24 is God’s rule concerning marriage and that it comprises leaving parents and cleaving to the spouse. Only a man and a woman are to be husband and wife (no homosexuals). In Rom.7.2, marriage is to be a life-long commitment. Mal.2.14-15 shows that God is a witness to the marriage agreement made between a man and a woman. (Note that the bible nowhere gives an example of, or instructions concerning a marriage ceremony.)

1Co.6.15-16 shows that the expression “one flesh” means a sexual relationship between a man and a woman (The article “ho” in v.16 is masculine gender and “porne,” prostitute, is feminine gender, showing that “one flesh” does not apply to a homosexual relationship.). Note that Joseph took Mary to be his wife, but they did not become “one flesh” until after the birth of Yesu (Mt.1.24-25). Thus, being “one flesh” is not part of BECOMING married but concerns a man and woman who are ALREADY married. Sexua relationship (“one flesh”) is permissible only by husband and his wife. (Deut.22.22, Heb.13.4).

MARRY Mt.5.32; 19.9,10; 22.25,30; 24.38. Mk.6.17; 10.11,12; 12.25.Lk.14.20; 16.18,18; 17.27; 20.34,35. 1Co.7.9,9,10,28,28,33,34,36,38,38,39. 1Ti.4.3;5.11,14.

1061 GAMISKOMAI (5): to give in marriage. Some Greek mss. use 1547 ekgamizo GIVE IN MARRIAGE Mt.22.30; 24.38. Mk.12.25. Lk.20.34,35. 1062 GAMOS (15): A marriage or wedding, usually representing the wedding festivities or feast, as in Mt.22.4,8 and Jn.2.1-11. In addition to being an festive occasion, another purpose of a wedding celebration seems to be to widely publicize that a certain man and woman are legitimately joined together and thus are no longer available for courtship.

WEDDING CELEBRATION Mt.22.2,3,4,8,9,11,12; 25.10. Lk.12.36; 14.8. Jn.2.1,2.

MARRIAGE Heb.13.4. Rev.19.7,9.