Marido e mulher
O casamento é aliança sagrada entre marido e mulher, instituída por Deus desde o Éden. A Bíblia define papéis complementares fundados em amor, respeito e fidelidade mútua.
Instituição divina
Deus criou homem e mulher e os uniu em uma só carne. O casamento é projeto divino que reflete o amor de Cristo pela Igreja.
And God made man, according to the image of God he made him, male and female he made them.
And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone, let us make for him a help suitable to him.
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
And did he not do well? and there was the residue of his spirit. But ye said, What does God seek but a seed? But take ye heed to your spirit, and forsake not the wife of thy youth.
Papéis no casamento
O marido ama e a mulher respeita. Ambos se submetem voluntariamente a Deus e um ao outro, em parceria e unidade.
Fidelidade e união
O casamento é honroso e deve ser preservado com fidelidade. O cordão de três dobras não se rompe facilmente.
Two are better than one, seeing they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falls, and there is not a second to lift him up. Also if two should lie together, they also get heat: but how shall one be warmed alone? And if one should prevail against him, the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord shall not be quickly broken.
Who shall find a virtuous woman? for such a one is more valuable than precious stones. The heart of her husband trusts in her: such a one shall stand in no need of fine spoils.
He that has found a good wife has found favours, and has received gladness from God. [He that puts away a good wife, puts away a good thing, and he that keeps an adulteress is foolish and ungodly.]
Fathers divide house and substance to their children: but a wife is suited to a man by the Lord.
A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband; but as a worm in wood, so a bad woman destroys her husband.
Let thy fountain of water be truly thine own; and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let thy loving hart and thy graceful colt company with thee, and let her be considered thine own, and be with thee at all times; for ravished with her love thou shalt be greatly increased.
Permanecer juntos
O que Deus uniu, o homem não separe. A Bíblia protege o casamento e orienta sobre convivência, perdão e perseverança conjugal.
And if any one should have recently taken a wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall any thing be laid upon him; he shall be free in his house; for one year he shall cheer his wife whom he has taken.