I. Purposes of marriage:

A. For man to have a companion.

Genesis 2:18-25   "And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;   And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.   Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed."

B. That they might become one flesh.

Matthew 19:4-5  "And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?"

C. To avoid fornication.

I Corinthians 7:2  "Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband."

D. To multiply and replenish the earth.

Genesis 1:28  "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."

Malachi 2:15  "And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth."

F. To give a picuture of Christ relationship to the Church, his bride. 

"For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.  This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church" (Ephesian 5:31-32).

II. Some general observations.

A. Marriage is to be honorable.

Hebrews 13:4  "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge."

I Corinthians 7:32-24 "But I would have you without carefulness.  he that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.  There is difference also between a wife and a virgin.  The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband."

C. Both the husband and the wife have sexual responsibilities in the marriage.

I Corinthians 7:3-5  "Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.   The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency."

D. Men and women are to dress differently.

 Deuteronomy 22:5  "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God."

E. The couple is to be fruitful and multiply (to multiply = more than two children).

Genesis 1:28  "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."

F. Marriage is to last until the death of a spouse.

Romans 7:2-3  "For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.   So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man."

I Corinthians 7:39  "The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord."

G. It is good for a man to find a wife.

Proverbs 18:22  "Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD."

Proverbs 19:14  "House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD."

H. Sex in marriage is to be exclusive.

Proverbs 5:15-19  "Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.   Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.  Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee. Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.   Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love."

I. Sex in marriage is to be a beautiful experience.

Song of Solomon 4:1-2  "Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes within thy locks: thy hair is as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead.  Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which came up from the washing; whereof every one bear twins, and none is barren among them."

Song of Solomon 4:2-7  "Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which came up from the washing; whereof every one bear twins, and none is barren among them.  Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech is comely: thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within thy locks.   Thy neck is like the tower of David builded for an armoury, whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men.  Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins, which feed among the lilies.   Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.   Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee."

J. Marriage is mean to be enjoyable.

Ecclesiastes 9:9  "Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun."

K. A couple may pray to have children.

Genesis 20:17-18 "So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children. For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife."

Genesis 25:21  "And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived."

I Samuel 1:10  "And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore."

L. Parents are to provide for their children.

II Corinthians 12:14 "Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children."

M. It is good to pray that God will lead you to the right mate.

Genesis 24:12  "And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham."

N. It takes the wisdom of God to build a proper home.

Proverbs 24:3  "Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:   And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches."

Psalms 127:1-5  "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.   Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.   As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.   Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate."

P. A Believer should not marry an unbeliever.

II Corinthians 6:14-17  "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?   And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?   And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.   Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you."

II Corinthians 6:17  "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,  And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."

Q. A marriage should be based upon the Word of God.

Psalms 119:165  "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them."

R. Love is more important than possessions in marriage.

Proverbs 15:17  "Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith."

S. A each person in a marriage should focus on pleasing God.

Proverbs 16:7  "When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him."

T. The husband is to be the head of the house.

I Corinthians 11:7-10  "For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.  Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 1  For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels."

U. Physical hygiene is important in a marriage.

Proverbs 30:21, 23  "For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear ... For an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress."

V. It is important to sow good seed into the marriage.

Galatians 6:7-10  "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.   For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.   And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."

III. The husband has responsibilities in the marriage.

A. He is to speak positively about the marriage.

Hosea 3:3  "And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee."

B. He is to provide for his family.

I Timothy 5:8  "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel."

C. He is to rule over his house, keeping it in order.

I Timothy 3:2-5  "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;  Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;  One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;   (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)"

D. He is to live with his wife with knowledge.

I Peter 3:7   "Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered."

E. He is to love his wife.

Ephesians 5:25-28  "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,   That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.   So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself."

Colossians 3:19 "Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them."

Titus 2:4  " That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children."

IV.  The wife has responsibilities in the marriage.

A. The wife is to be in subjection to her husband as unto the Lord.

I Peter 3:1-6  "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;   While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.   Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.   For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:   Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement."

Ephesians 5:21-24  "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.   For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing."

Colossians 3:18  "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord."

Titus 2:5  "To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."

B. The wife is to be virtuous.

Proverbs 31:10-31  "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.  The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.   She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.   She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.   She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.   She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.   She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.   She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.   She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.   She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.   She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.   She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.   Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.   She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.   Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.   She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.   She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.   Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.   Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.   Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.   Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."

C. The wife is to bear children and guide her house.

I Timothy 5:14  "I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully."

Esther 1:20  "And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, for it is great, all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small."

E. The wife is not to complain.

Proverbs 19:13  "A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping."

V. Parents should have the proper attitude toward their children.

A. They should have a forgiving attitude.

Luke 15:20  "And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him."

B. They should see their children as being important.

Mark 10:14  "But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God."

C.  They should see their children as a gift from God.

Genesis 33:5  "And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant."

Psalms 113:9  "He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD."

Psalms 127:3  "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."

Proverbs 17:6  "Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers."

D. They should prayerfully choose a name for their children.

Luke 1:59-63  "And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.   And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.   And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.   And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all."

E. They should see their children as blessings.

Psalms 127:5  "Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate."

Genesis 27:28-29  "Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:   Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee."  

F. Parents (especially the father) should speak blessing over the children.

Genesis 49:1-4  "And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.  Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.   Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:   Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch."

VI. Parents have a responsibility to their children.

A. They have a responsibility to discipline their children.

Proverbs 29:15  "The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame."

Proverbs 29:17  "Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul."

Proverbs 19:18  Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying."

Proverbs 22:15   "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him."

Proverbs 23:13-14  "Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.  Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell."

B. They have the responsibility to provide an inheritance for their children.

Proverbs 13:22  "A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just."

C. They are to be a good example unto their children.

Proverbs 20:7  "The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him."

Malachi 4:6  "And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse."

Deuteronomy 6:6-7  "And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:   And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."

Proverbs 22:6  "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Psalms 119:9  "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word."

Psalms 119:97-99  "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.  Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.   I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation."

E. Fathers are not provoke their children to wrath.

Ephesians 6:4  "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

F. Parents should teach their children that God is the one that made them.

Psalms 139:13-18  "For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.  I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.   My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.   Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.  How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!  If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee."

VII. Children have responsibilities in the family.

A. Children are to honor their parents.

Exodus 20:12  "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee."

B. Children are to have a godly fear in relation to their parents.

Leviticus 19:3  "Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the LORD your God."

C. Children are to obey their parents.

Ephesians 6:1  "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.  Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)   That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."

Colossians 3:20   "Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord."

Proverbs 1:8  "My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother."

D. Children should respect those in authority.

Proverbs 24:21  "My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change."

E. Children should have proper friends.

Proverbs 1:10  "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not."

F. Children should be careful not to be disrespectful of their parents.

Deuteronomy 27:16  "Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen."

Proverbs 19:26  "He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach."

Deuteronomy 21:18-21  "If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them:   Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place;  And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.   And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear."

Proverbs 30:17  "The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it."

Proverbs 18:19  "A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle."

H. Children should have a proper attitude toward the discipline they receive.

Proverbs 6:20-22  "My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.   When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee."

Proverbs 15:5  "A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent."

Proverbs 15:32  "He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding."

Proverbs 23:22-25  "Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.   Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.   The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.   Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice."

Proverbs 3:11-12  "My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:  For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth."

I. Children are to be responsible for their actions.

Proverbs 20:11  "Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right."

J. Children should have a knowledge of their Creator.

 Ecclesiastes 12:1  "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them."

VIII. The Bible speaks to other family issues.

A. God hates divorce.

Malachi 2:14-16  "Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.   And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.   For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously."

B. The Bible generally forbids divorce and remarriage.

Matthew 19:4-11  "And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,   And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?   Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.   They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?   He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.   And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.   His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.   But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given."

Matthew 5:31-32  "It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:   But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery."

Mark 10:2-12   "And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.   And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?  And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.   And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.   But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.   For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;   And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.   What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.   And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter.   And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.   And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery."

I Corinthians 7:10  " And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband."

I Corinthians 7:13-16  "And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.   For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.   But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.   For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?"

Deuteronomy 24:1-4  "When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.   And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife.   And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife;  Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance."

Matthew 5:27-28  "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:   But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."

Proverbs 6:32-33  "But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.   A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away."

Deuteronomy 27:20-23  "Cursed be he that lieth with his father's wife; because he uncovereth his father's skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.   Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen.   Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.   Cursed be he that lieth with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen."

D. Premarital sex is forbidden.

I Corinthians 6:18  "Flee fornication.  Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth sinneth against his own body."