While the world sees divorce as a valid option for almost any reason, God’s original intent for marriage is seen in the first couple, Adam and Eve. One man and one woman in a committed, loving, lifelong relationship. Such faithfulness in a relationship is meant to reflect GOD'S FOREVER LOVE for His people (Hosea 2:19; Ephesians 5:31-32).

In Malachi 2:16 we read, “‘I hate divorce,’ says the LORD God of Israel.”

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Divine Guidelines for Marriage (#1)

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Many in today’s culture don’t know what marriage is supposed to be. Thankfully, the Bible shows you exactly how God designed marriage . . . and what your relationship with your spouse should look like.

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Mark 10:9

⁹ Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

What does Mark 10:9 mean? [⇑ See verse text ⇑]

"Joined together" is from the Greek root word syzeugnymi which literally means to harness two people to the same yoke. Once the man has left his parents and held fast to his wife, the two are joined together by God. "Separate" is from the Greek root word chōrizō and means to separate, divide, or depart. Jesus says the man needs to separate from his family of birth (Mark 10:7), not his wife.

Some versions say "…let no man separate," but the "not" gives a broader meaning. "Let no man separate" could mean that individuals such as potential lovers, lawyers, or judges are forbidden from causing or legalizing a divorce. "Let not man separate" challenges cultures, legal systems, and communities to establish policies and engender environments that do not threaten marriage. Still, in the context of Jewish culture at the time, the only "man" who was responsible for the divorce was the husband. Not only was it he who performed the divorce, it was he who allowed himself to become hardened toward his wife (Malachi 2:14).

The wording here sounds like stern legalese, but God has stronger words in Malachi 2:14–16. God rejected the sacrifices of the Israelite men because they sent their wives away. They were faithless to the women they had made a covenant with. God had joined them "with a portion of the Spirit in their union" (Malachi 2:15), but the men chose to stop loving their wives and sent them away instead. God says they covered their garment with violence. Malachi 2:16, which translations often start as "God hates divorce," most literally means God hates when men are faithless to their wives and send them away. These are the fierce, emotional words of God that Jewish leadership taught the men to set aside for their own interests.

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

1 Corinthians 13

Ephesians 5:22

²² Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. ²⁴ Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, ²⁶ that He might ^[g]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. ²⁸ So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. ³⁰ For we are members of His body, ^[h]of His flesh and of His bones. 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. ³³ Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Proverbs 5:18 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓]

Proverbs 5:18

Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth.

What does Proverbs 5:18 mean? [⇑ See verse text ⇑]

Continuing the analogy of a spouse—in this case, a man's wife—as a well of refreshing water, Solomon advises his students to take joy in that relationship. Earlier verses implied that part of the joy of sexuality in a marriage was the sense of care and legitimacy it brings (Proverbs 5:15).

A husband should seek ways to bless his wife, so the two may live happily together. This counsel would include loving her, praying for her, and honoring her. Ephesians 5:25 commands: "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." This verse teaches that a husband's love for his wife should be sacrificial. A loving husband puts his wife's interests ahead of his own.

First Peter 3:7 commands: "Husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered." The husband ought to derive joy from his marriage, and from his commitment to it. Isaiah 62:5 compares the joy a bridegroom derives from his bride to God's rejoicing over His people.Context Summary
Proverbs 5:15–23 follows sections warning about the temptations and consequences of adultery. In this closing section of Proverbs 5, Solomon advises each of his sons to stay faithful to his wife in a monogamous relationship and to enjoy the blessings of marriage. He points out that the Lord knows all about each person's conduct.

Chapter Summary
Solomon approaches the subject of adultery by describing a prototype seducer: a smooth talker who leads the victim down a dangerous road. Sin promises pleasure, but it is ultimately brief and destructive consequences are long lasting. The destructive consequences include a loss of strength, respect, money, and longevity. The person who disregards godly counsel about adultery experiences ruin and disgrace. Faithfulness in marriage brings a person exuberance and joy. No sin, including adultery, is hidden from God. Sin ensnares the adulterer and shows that he is foolish, undisciplined, and far from the Lord.