In a world that largely views marriage as a contract for personal happiness, it’s easy for us to forget its true purpose. But the Bible tells us that marriage is far more than a social arrangement; it is a profound divine calling with a purpose that extends beyond our own joy. It is a holy institution designed by God to accomplish specific, sacred goals.
When we see our marriage not just as a partnership, but as a calling, we find the anchors that hold us steady through the inevitable storms of life. Here are six divine callings that anchor every marriage.
1. To Reflect God’s Image
This is the ultimate purpose of marriage. The Bible says we are created in the image of God. When a man and woman come together as “one flesh,” they become a beautiful, living reflection of the Godhead. Their unique unity, while remaining distinct individuals, mirrors the nature of the Triune God.
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”
— Genesis 1:27 (KJV)
This calling gives marriage its profound dignity and sacredness. It is a testimony to the world of who God is.
2. To Establish a Unified Front
The first commandment in marriage is to establish a unified front. The “leaving and cleaving” principle is a divine call to unity—to prioritize the new “one flesh” unit above all other human relationships. This unity is the foundation of a Christ-centered marriage.
“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”
— Genesis 2:24 (KJV)
This calling challenges the modern spirit of individualism and instead calls for a profound, selfless unity. This is the very core of what a Christian marriage is, and it’s a key difference from a legal contract, as we explore in our article on marriage or domestic partnership.
3. To Model the Gospel
This is perhaps the most profound calling of a Christian marriage. The relationship between a husband and wife is meant to be a living, breathing parable of Christ’s relationship with the Church. The husband’s love is called to be a reflection of Christ’s sacrificial love, and the wife’s submission is meant to reflect the Church’s honor for Christ’s loving leadership.
“This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”
— Ephesians 5:32 (KJV)
This calling gives marriage its ultimate spiritual purpose. It is a beautiful, visible testimony to the world of how Christ loves His people. For more on this, read our article on what the Bible really teaches about submission in marriage.
4. To Forge Holiness
Marriage is a sanctifying furnace. It is a key tool God uses to reveal our selfishness, impatience, and pride, and to forge in us the character of Christ. This is the call to love, forgive, and endure through the hard seasons.
“For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.”
— Hebrews 12:10 (KJV)
This calling means that your primary goal in marriage is not to be happy, but to be holy. And it’s only through this sanctifying process that a marriage can truly flourish and grow in grace, as we explore in growing in grace in marriage.
5. To Raise a Godly Legacy
The call to raise a family is not just a biological one; it is a spiritual one. A couple is called to nurture and disciple children who will know and love the Lord. The marriage and the family are the primary institutions God uses to build His kingdom.
“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.”
— Psalm 127:3 (KJV)
This calling extends beyond your own relationship. It is a divine purpose to steward the next generation, building a legacy of faith that will bless the world for years to come. This is a core component of a compassionate Christian community.
6. To Be a Team for Ministry
A couple is more effective for God’s kingdom together than they are apart. A marriage is a platform for service, hospitality, and evangelism. As a unified team, you can accomplish more for God’s glory than you could as two individuals.
“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”
— Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (KJV)
This shared purpose transforms your marriage from an inward-focused relationship to an outward-focused ministry. It’s a powerful testament to the world, a topic we explore in how to truly love your wife—beyond words.
These six divine callings are the anchors of a marriage. They are not a burden but a beautiful roadmap to a relationship that has a purpose, a joy, and a security that the world can never provide.
