What Is Marriage?

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and before His Church to witness the union of this man and this woman in holy matrimony.  This is an honorable estate instituted and blessed by God in Paradise, before humanity's fall into sin.

In marriage we see a picture of the communion between Christ and His bride, the Church.  Our Lord blessed and honored marriage with his presence and first miracle at Cana in Galilee.  This estate is also commended to us by the apostle Paul as good and honorable.  Therefore, marriage is not to be entered into inadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God.

The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for the mutual companionship, help, and support that each person ought to receive from the other, both in prosperity and adversity.  Marriage was also ordained so that man and woman may find delight in one another.  Therefore, all persons who marry shall take a spouse in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust, for God has not called us to impurity but in holiness.  God also established marriage for the procreation of children who are to be brought up in the fear and instruction of the Lord so that they may offer Him their praise.

For these reasons God has established the holy estate that this man and this woman wish to enter.  They desire our prayers as they begin their marriage in the Lord's name and with His blessing.

Taken from:

Holy Matrimony from Lutheran Service Book

   Lutheran Service Builder © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.

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