Expert: Scott Talbot - 9/13/2011

Question
hi,

i wanted to know, according to the bible who is a Christian allowed to marry and not to marry. for e.g. in the book of Leviticus from chapters 6 - 20 and 22 & 23 it tells you who you can't have sexual relationships with.

could you please give me references please and a brief interpretation of the verses.

thank you

amir

Answer
Hello Amir,

Here are some guidelines that God lays out for marriage.

First, let's look at Genesis 2:18-25. God ordained marriage, and the pattern He laid out for marriage is one man and one woman. So Genesis 2 teaches us that God designed marriage to be a union between one man and one woman.

Leviticus 18 lays out some additional guidelines by indicating certain forbidden unions. Included among these are a man's union with a close relative, including one's mother or step mother, one's sister or half sister, a granddaughter or grandmother, one's aunt or niece, sister-in-law, daughter-in-law, mother-in-law, another man, or with an animal.

Further, 2 Corinthians 6:14 says, "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" This teaches us that a Christian should marry someone who is also a Christian.

Additionally, the Bible's many instructions against fornication and adultery teach us that a man should marry only one wife and should be faithful and committed to her in an exclusive relationship.

I hope this helps. If you have further questions, feel free to write back to me.

Scott