Ask any group of believers to tell you the purpose of marriage and the answers you get will vary.  Some will sound like they came from unbelievers!  “Two can live as cheaply as one,” is not the worst one you will hear.  But, most will give legitimate goals that are not the primary purpose revealed in the Bible.  Answers will include, “having children,” or “happiness.”  Occasionally, some will say, “companionship,” or “oneness,” and they will be right.  Seven times in the story of creation in the first chapter of Genesis, we read that, “God saw that it was good.”

But, in Genesis 2:18, we read, “And the LORD God said, it is not good that the man should be alone.”  There was, of course, nothing lacking in God or in His ability to create man in such a way that every single aspect of his existence would be “good.”  But, God’s desire for companionship may have been the reason that He created man with a desire for companionship as well.  In this way, man’s desire was truly in God’s own image.  As you know, God did not just create Eve for Adam, but actually from Adam.  One being was made into two persons who would know oneness through their companionship.

When God brings a man and woman together in marriage, He designs for them the same oneness enjoyed by Adam and Eve.  This wonderful fellowship is to be an earthly picture of the fellowship between Christ and His church.  Imagine, every person on earth came into existence as a result of this gospel illustration—a witness even to those who never have, and perhaps never will, hear the name of Christ.  But, sadly, even many Christian marriages fail to communicate this truth.  Convenience, not companionship, is the best they hope for.  Those marriages need help.  Companionship—oneness—is God’s purpose for marriage.