8 Things Marriage Is (and 2 Things It Isn’t) | Part 3

In Part 1 and Part 2, we’ve looked at 8 powerful truths the Bible teaches us about marriage—how it’s a gift from God, a covenant, a calling, and a reflection of Christ’s love for the church. But before we wrap up this series, there are two important misunderstandings we need to correct.

Because when it comes to marriage, there’s just as much wisdom in knowing what it isn’t as there is in knowing what it is.

Marriage is Not Misogynistic

One of the biggest misconceptions about biblical marriage is that it devalues women. People hear words like headship or submission and immediately imagine something cold, oppressive, or outdated. But that’s not what Scripture teaches, and it’s certainly not the heart of God.

Ephesians 5 calls wives to submit to their husbands—but it also calls husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her. That’s not dominance. That’s self-sacrifice.

Jesus taught us that the one who is great takes the form of a servant—He knelt and washed feet. He laid down His life. And that’s the model for biblical headship: not power, but service.

A godly husband isn’t harsh—he’s humble. He isn’t domineering—he’s devoted. He’s a protector, not a tyrant. And a godly wife isn’t a passive follower—she’s a strong, Spirit-filled partner, called to build up, speak truth, and reflect the beauty of the church’s relationship with Jesus.

So let’s be clear: God’s design for marriage does not diminish the value of women—it honors it. When rightly understood and lived out, biblical marriage creates space for both husband and wife to thrive, flourish, and display the beauty of the gospel.

Marriage is Not Most Important

Marriage is a good gift—but it’s not ultimate. Jesus is.

In a culture that idolizes romance and relationships, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking marriage is the ultimate goal. But the Bible doesn’t teach that. In fact, some of the most faithful and influential people in Scripture—like Jesus and Paul to name a few—were single.

That’s not an accident. It’s a reminder that the deepest joy, identity, and purpose you’ll ever find won’t come from romance—it’ll come from loving Jesus.

Marriage is meant to point beyond itself. It’s a living parable of a greater love story—Jesus and His bride, the church. And that means even the best marriage is just a shadow of something more glorious.

So if you’re married, don’t build your life on your spouse—build it with your spouse, on Jesus. And if you’re not married, remember: your life isn’t incomplete. In Christ, you already have everything you need.

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Final Thought

Whether you’re single, married, divorced, widowed, or somewhere in between, the calling is the same: love Jesus with your whole heart. Marriage matters—but it’s not the main thing.

Jesus is.