Marriage: When, exactly, does "what God has joined together" mean?

[RDKirk]

Perhaps it's a covenant with someone under God's covenant with at least one of the parties is what changes it from man to God.

That would go along with what Paul said in consideration of a Christian married to a pagan.

For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy -- 1 Corinthians 7

This verse does not mean that the Christian spouse effects eternal life (salvation) for the pagan spouse. Because Paul points to the children, he means that the union is sanctified by the faith of the Christian spouse, so that the children are not automatically condemned.

 

[Hazelelponi]

That would go along with what Paul said in consideration of a Christian married to a pagan.

For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy -- 1 Corinthians 7

This verse does not mean that the Christian spouse effects eternal life (salvation) for the pagan spouse. Because Paul points to the children, he means that the union is sanctified by the faith of the Christian spouse, so that the children are not automatically condemned.

Yeah that's another question there. Why if the Chrstian faith is open to all who believe, would the children be (automatically?) condemned?

That doesn't make sense...

 

[RDKirk]

Yeah that's another question there. Why if the Chrstian faith is open to all who believe, would the children be (automatically?) condemned?

That doesn't make sense...

It would be a natural question to arise. Remember we see the cases in scripture where a pagan husband becomes Christian and has his entire family baptized (Cornelius, the Philippian warden). But what if the wife becomes Christian, but the husband remains pagan and refuses to allow the rest of the family to be baptized? I think this is Paul's answer to that question for those anxious wives.

 

[Hazelelponi]

It would be a natural question to arise. Remember we see the cases in scripture where a pagan husband becomes Christian and has his entire family baptized (Cornelius, the Philippian warden). But what if the wife becomes Christian, but the husband remains pagan and refuses to allow the rest of the family to be baptized? I think this is Paul's answer to that question for those anxious wives.

Are you talking about in the event of the death of a child - while still a child?

 

[RDKirk]

Are you talking about in the event of the death of a child - while still a child?

While the child is alive. In a Roman household, for instance, the pagan father would have continued to take the son to the pagan temple services...that's what fathers did with their sons.

 

[Jaxxi]

What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. -- Mark 10

What does that mean exactly? When and how does God join a man and a woman together?

Is it through the act of sexual intercourse?

Is it through the covenant promises that they make specifically before God as believers in Him?

Does it require both the covenant and the sexual intercourse?

Does it matter if one or the other party was an unbeliever and the covenant was made to some other god?

Does it matter if one party had their fingers crossed behind their back and had no intention of carrying out the covenant? IOW, does God validate a lie?

Marriage is a 3 part covenant, of Man and Woman and God. God is the glue that joins them together and marriage will not work without Him. He blesses the covenant and through Him they find strength to turn from temptation or be forgiven to keep the marriage strong. Marriages are blessed by God. Partnerships at Justice of the Peace are not. Those can work as well, but I do not think God is a part of that.

 

[GreekOrthodox]

For Orthodox, marriage is a form of martyrdom, that man and woman submit to God and to each other. The formal moment of marriage is summed up when the priest takes their joined hands and their heads are crowned that are joined by a ribbon and leads them around a table three times while singing the "Dance of Isaiah"

O Isaiah, dance your joy, for the Virgin was indeed with child; and brought to birth a Son, that Emmanuel, Who came as both God and man; Day‑at‑the‑Dawn is the Name He bears, and by extolling Him, We hail the Virgin as blessed.

Hear us, you martyred Saints, who fought the good fight, gaining crowns: entreat the Lord to shed His tender mercy on our souls.

Glory to You, O Christ our God, Your Apostles' proudest boast and treasure of Your Martyrs' joy, Who to all proclaimed the Consubstantial Trinity.