The Two Become One
Genesis 2:18-24 18 And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man
should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” 19 Out
of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every
bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call
them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its
name. 20 So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and
to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper
comparable to him. 21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall
on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up
the flesh in its place. 22 Then the rib which the Lord God had taken
from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.
23 And Adam 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 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother
and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Marriage is not merely a contract, but it is a covenant
Malachi 2:14 Yet you say, “For what reason?” Because
the Lord has been witness between you and the wife of your youth,
With whom you have dealt treacherously; Yet she is your companion
And your wife by covenant.
A contract is an agreement between two parties that creates
an obligation to perform or refrain from certain actions or
duties; or the exchange of things. A contract usually has a
term/timeframe it is in effect.
The biblical understanding of the word covenant is derived
from the Hebrew word b e riyth /ber-eeth’/ (a compact or
alliance made between two parties (me for you). A covenant
is usually for the lifetime and is often sealed with blood.
Examples of blood covenants: Abrahamic (Genesis 15:9-15),
Mosaic (Exodus 19; Hebrews 9:19-21), New covenant (Luke
22:20)
The ‘two become one’ does not mean one party ceases to
exist. This expresses a compound unity. Genesis 2:24 uses
the same word expressed in Deuteronomy 6:4—echad,
which means united
Deuteronomy 6:4 4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God,
the Lord is one!
This ‘unity’ is a spiritual, emotional, and physical bond
designed by God
Ephesians 5:31-32 31 For this reason a man shall leave his father
and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one
flesh. 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the
church.
Spiritual Oneness in Marriage
Both spouses must be believers. The expression of Christ
uniting with His bride is not a believer uniting with an
unbeliever.
2 Corinthians 6:14-16a 14 Do not be unequally yoked together with
unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with
lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And
what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with
an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with
idols? For you are the temple of the living God.
Ephesians 5:25-27 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ
also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He
might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the
word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not
having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy
and without blemish.
Marriage has a spiritual purpose
Malachi 2:14-15 14 Yet you say, “For what reason?” Because
the Lord has been witness between you and the wife of your youth,
with whom you have dealt treacherously; yet she is your companion
and your wife by covenant. 15 But did He not make them one, having a
remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring.
Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously
with the wife of his youth.
Emotional and Relational Oneness in Marriage
Husbands have been given an impossible task.
Ephesians 5:25 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also
loved the church and gave Himself for her
The only way Jesus was able to give Himself was through
providential help…
Luke 22:42-44 42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away
from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” 43 Then an
angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being
in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like
great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
The only way to ‘1 Corinthians 13’ a woman is through the
strength of the LORD
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not
parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not
seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in
iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.
Wives have been given an impossible task
Ephesians 5:24 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ,
so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
Genesis 2:18 18 And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man
should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”
There is only one who is designated ‘The Helper’ -John
14:26 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in
My name
The only way to be a help to your husband is to be filled with
the Helper
Physical Oneness in Marriage
Physical intimacy a gift to married couples, but to refrain can
give Satan an area to exploit.
1 Corinthians 7:3-5 3 Let the husband render to his wife the
affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 4 The
wife does not have authority over her own body, but the
husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority
over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another
except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to
fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not
tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
Being married does not give a license for immorality
Hebrews 13:4 4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed
undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
Physical intimacy is a large part of the consummation of
husband and wife
1 Corinthians 6:15-16 15 Do you not know that your bodies are
members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and
make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! 16 Or do you not know
that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the
two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.”
Final Challenge:
Are you pursuing oneness in your marriage?
If you’re single, are you preparing yourself to be ready for a
Christ-centered marriage?
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