To have a high view of marriage means to see matrimony not merely as a human contract or a social tradition, but as a sacred, God-ordained covenant. This perspective recognizes marriage as a divine institution designed by the Creator to reflect the relationship between Christ and the Church. Consequently, a high view of marriage prioritizes lifelong commitment, sacrificial love, and spiritual purpose over personal convenience or emotional whims.
The Divine Origin of the Marital Union
Understanding a high view of marriage begins with its origin story in the book of Genesis. Many people today view marriage as a flexible social construct that evolves with cultural trends. However, a biblical worldview asserts that God himself invented marriage before any government or church existed. By creating humanity as male and female and joining them together, God established the foundational building block of human society. When we hold a high view of marriage, we acknowledge that we do not have the authority to redefine an institution that we did not create.
“This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” (Genesis 2:24)
This “one flesh” union implies more than just physical intimacy or legal cohabitation. It suggests a profound shift where two distinct individuals in some sense become a new, singular unit. Because God is the one who performs this joining, the union possesses a spiritual gravity that transcends human feelings.
Marriage as a Living Parable of Christ
The primary reason Christians uphold a high view of marriage is its symbolic significance. In the New Testament, the apostle Paul reveals a “profound mystery” regarding the relationship between a husband and a wife. He explains that earthly marriage serves as a living illustration of the gospel. Just as Jesus Christ committed himself to his people through a sacrificial covenant, a husband and wife commit themselves to one another. This theological framework elevates marriage from a quest for personal happiness to a mission of divine representation.
“As the Scriptures say, ‘A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.” (Ephesians 5:31-32)
When a couple maintains a high view of marriage, they realize their behavior toward one another tells a story about God. If a husband loves his wife sacrificially, he mirrors the grace of Jesus. If a wife respects her husband, she mirrors the devotion of the church. Conversely, a low view of marriage suggests that the covenant is disposable. If we treat marriage as something we can easily discard, we inadvertently communicate a false message that God’s love for us might also be temporary or conditional.
The Consequences of a Low View of Marriage
In contrast to the biblical standard, a low view of marriage treats the union as a social convenience or a legal contract designed primarily for personal satisfaction. When marriage is viewed through this lens, it loses its objective moral weight and becomes subject to the shifting winds of culture and individual emotion. In a low-view framework, the primary question is often whether the relationship is still providing happiness rather than how to honor the covenant made before God.
This perspective reduces marriage to a consumer transaction. In a consumer relationship, if the spouse no longer provides the expected service or emotional thrill, the individual feels justified in seeking an exit. This mindset naturally leads to a higher rate of divorce and a lower threshold for conflict resolution. Because there is no higher spiritual purpose attached to the union, there is little incentive to endure the difficult seasons of growth that every long-term relationship requires.
A low view often ignores the “one flesh” reality established in Scripture. Instead of two people becoming a new, unified entity, they remain two independent individuals who happen to be sharing a living space and a bank account. This independence prevents the deep, sacrificial intimacy that God intended.
Covenant Commitment Versus Contractual Agreement
A significant distinction in a high view of marriage is the move from a contract mindset to a covenant mindset. In a contract, two parties exchange goods or services based on mutual performance. If one person fails to deliver, the contract is often voided. Many modern marriages operate this way, where spouses stay only as long as their needs are met. In contrast, a biblical covenant is a solemn promise made before God that remains binding regardless of the other person’s immediate performance.
This high view demands a radical level of endurance and forgiveness. It assumes that there will be seasons of difficulty, conflict, and emotional distance. However, because the marriage is viewed as a sacred duty, the couple works through these trials rather than seeking an exit strategy. This perspective protects the family unit and provides a stable environment for children to flourish. By placing the sanctity of the covenant above individual desires, believers honor the permanence that God intended for the home.
Addressing Common Misconceptions
Some people mistakenly believe that having a high view of marriage means ignoring abuse or staying in a dangerous situation. This is a significant misunderstanding. God values the safety and dignity of individuals. A high view of marriage actually condemns the mistreatment of a spouse because it treats the union as something holy that should never be defiled by violence or cruelty.
Another misconception is that a high view of marriage guarantees a life of constant happiness. In reality, this perspective often requires more hard work than a low view. Because you believe the relationship is sacred, you are more likely to invest in counseling, practice difficult forgiveness, and die to your own selfishness. The goal of a high view is not immediate self-gratification but long-term sanctification. We grow to become more like Jesus through the refining fire of a committed, lifelong relationship.
The Takeaway
Ultimately, to have a high view of marriage is to agree with God’s assessment of the union. It is a transition from seeing marriage as a tool for personal fulfillment to seeing it as a platform for God’s glory. By grounding the relationship in the Genesis creation account and the Ephesian “great mystery,” we protect the sanctity of the home. When we prioritize the covenant over our changing emotions, we provide the world with powerful, visible evidence of the unchanging love of Jesus Christ.
