New Kind of Math for Married Couples Only

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”  Ephesians 5:31

This Bible verse tells us that the married couple needs to become one.  That doesn’t make mathematical sense.  1 man + 1 woman = 2 not 1!  God’s word teaches us a new kind of math for married couples.  In marriage 1 husband +1 wife = one flesh! This is truly a mystery, not only mathematically, but spiritually!  There are three key words that help us better understand this new math. 

• “Leave” – The married couple must shift their loyalties from their parents to a new set of loyalties with their spouse.  They are called to create a new family as husband and wife.  They should have kids and build a new life together!  Never dishonoring their parents, but forming a higher loyalty to their marriage above all other family relationships. 

• “Hold fast” – The meaning of “Hold fast” carries with it the meaning that the married couple should be “Stuck to, bonded to, or glued to one another!”  This is what it means to “Hold fast”!  It’s a covenantal commitment.  It’s unbreakable!  While the only exception for breaking this bond, would be the Biblical allowance for divorce according to Jesus and the Apostle Paul.  They say that adultery or abandonment would be the only reason for divorce.  It is still an exception.  God hates divorce because of the pain it causes.  Divorce is reserved for the worst conditions, and is intended to save a spouse from a miserable life when there is adultery or abandonment that has occurred.  If you are considering a divorce, please contact a pastor or a Christian counselor before moving forward.  God can redeem broken marriages and broken people.  Don’t give up without “Holding Fast!” 

• “Become one” – It’s ongoing emotional, physical, and spiritual intimacy between one man and one woman within the context of marriage.  This occurs as the husband and wife serve one another with unconditional love and respect.  They fulfill their God-given roles of headship and submission as they seek to cultivate oneness through emotional, physical, and spiritual intimacy.  Remember it’s 1 husband + 1 wife = one flesh!  That’s what it means to become one! 

Couples Discussion

• What are we doing well? 
• Based on this devotional, what are one or two areas we need to work on?
• What are some ways we can do that? 

Want to Learn More about Marriage?  Got Questions?

I am relaunching Real Life with Ryan on my personal Facebook page, which will have live videos starting with Marriage & Parenting on Thursdays at noon.  If you have questions about our current series or just about marriage and parenting, please send them over to me at www.RyanRice.org, where I have a form that you can use to ask me questions that I might use in the Facebook live events.  Join me beginning Thursday, August 25th at noon.