Which statement best describes marriage in the material?

• A. It is a social convenience
• B. It is a temporary arrangement
• C. It is a legal contract
• D. It is a spiritual union

Answer: (D)

The main concept being tested is that marriage, in this material, is a spiritual union—a sacred covenant established by God between a man and a woman. This view sees marriage as more than a social convenience or a legal form; it is a divine bond intended to reflect Christ’s relationship with the church. Genesis 2:24 speaks to the unity of two becoming one flesh, signaling a deep, covenantal bond formed before God. The New Testament expands on this by describing husbands and wives in a relationship shaped by love, sanctification, and mutual devotion, illustrating that the foundation and purpose of marriage are spiritual in nature. Legal and social aspects exist and are important, but they do not capture the essential divine intention. Hence, the best description is a spiritual union.