Genesis 2:23 - 25

Then the man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 24. Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

Marriage is one man and one woman united spiritually, emotionally, physically, publicly and legally in a lifetime bond of loyal love. God designed marriage.

To be a partnership between one man and one woman.

To be a permanent union.

To produce spiritual unity between husband and wife.

To provide for the procreation of children.

To positively channel sexual and emotional energy.

To serve as a principal building block.

To be a picture of His relationship with Israel and of Christ's relationship with the church.