9 Resources on Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage

God's design for marriage is good: one man, one woman, one lifetime.   Divorce and remarriage, however, are a reality for many people in the United States. There are several factors contributing to divorce and remarriage, like no-fault divorce, infidelity, "irreconcilable differences," and financial instability. So what should Christians think about marriage? 

1) What God Thinks About Marriage

Marriage is a sacred institution established by God from the very beginning. In Genesis 2:24, God declares, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." This verse sets the foundation for biblical marriage—one man and one woman united in a lifelong covenant.

Throughout Scripture, marriage is portrayed as a reflection of Christ’s relationship with the Church (Ephesians 5:25-32). Husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loved the Church, and wives are encouraged to respect their husbands. Marriage is not just a human contract; it is a divine covenant designed for companionship, mutual support, and the raising of godly children (Malachi 2:15).

Despite the cultural shifts and challenges, the biblical view of marriage remains unchanged. God desires for marriages to be built on love, commitment, and faithfulness, providing a stable foundation for families and society as a whole.

2) The Current Trends of Marriage in the United States Based on Data

Marriage in the United States has seen significant shifts in recent decades. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau and Pew Research Center:

• The marriage rate has declined over the years. In 1970, around 70% of U.S. adults were married; by 2023, that number had dropped to approximately 50%.

• The average age for first-time marriages has increased. In 1950, the median age for marriage was 23 for men and 20 for women. Today, it is around 30 for men and 28 for women.

• Divorce rates, though historically high, have slightly declined since their peak in the 1980s. However, nearly 40-50% of marriages still end in divorce.

• Cohabitation has risen dramatically, with many couples choosing to live together before marriage or in place of marriage altogether.

• Fewer young adults see marriage as a necessary step in life, with many prioritizing careers, financial stability, or personal fulfillment first.

While these trends highlight cultural changes, they also present challenges to the biblical model of marriage. Christians are called to uphold God’s design for marriage, despite shifting societal norms.

3) 9 Resources to Help with Marriages

For Christians seeking to strengthen their marriages, many resources are available to provide biblical guidance, counseling, and encouragement:

• The Bible – Studying Scripture together as a couple can help reinforce God’s plan for marriage.

• In particular, spouses should study books like Song of Songs together, since learning about God's love for his people is the most inspiring way to grow in your love for your spouse. 
• Additionally, passages like Ephesians 5:21–31 and Revelation 21–22 can help inspire faithful love between a husband and wife. 

• Important Articles:

• Andy Naselli: "What the New Testament Teaches About Divorce and Remarriage"
• Grace Community Church: "Divorce and Remarriage"
  
• John Piper: "Divorce and Remarriage: A Position Paper"
• Westminster Confession of 1646: "Of Marriage and Divorce"
• Baptist Confession of 1689: "Of Marriage"

• Focus on the Family Resources – Focus on the family is one of the best resources for marriages. The ministry is equipped with articles, books, and podcasts on marriage. They also host several different types of events. 

• Marriage Conferences & Retreats – Events like Weekend to Remember (by FamilyLife) 

• Books & Podcasts – Resources such as The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller and Love & Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. 

Conclusion

Marriage, as designed by God, is a lifelong covenant meant to reflect His love and faithfulness. While societal trends show a decline in marriage rates and changing attitudes, Christians are called to uphold and invest in godly marriages. With the right resources and a commitment to biblical principles, couples can build strong, lasting marriages that honor God and bless future generations.

Whether you are newly married, facing struggles, or simply seeking to enrich your relationship, God’s plan for marriage remains a source of hope, strength, and joy. Investing in your marriage is not just a personal benefit but a testimony to God’s enduring love.

Bible Phrasing: 1 Timothy 6:20-21

In the final two verses of the letter, Paul gives Timothy two final instructions: Guard and Avoid

1) Guard the truth of the faith

Paul appeals to Timothy one last time, beginning with the Greek interjection (ὦ). Paul's spirited appeal includes Timothy's name, meaning that, for Paul, this appeal is intensely personal and urgent. 

Paul instructs Timothy to guard the deposit entrusted to him. Paul's final statement summarizes the command he initiated back in the first chapter of the letter. The following verses are connected with key terms:

1 Timothy 6:20 --> 1 Timothy 1:18 --> 1 Timothy 1:5 --> 1 Timothy 1:3–5

In 1 Timothy 6:20, Paul makes one final reference to the "deposit entrusted." παραθήκη (the deposit entrusted) is a noun whose verbal cognate (παρατίθημι) appears in 1 Timothy 1:18. 

In 1 Timothy 1:18, Paul writes:

 

Ταύτην τὴν παραγγελίαν παρατίθεμαί σοι, τέκνον Τιμόθεε, κατὰ τὰς προαγούσας ἐπὶ σὲ προφητείας, ἵνα στρατεύῃ ἐν αὐταῖς τὴν καλὴν στρατείαν, 

This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight,

The demonstrative Ταύτην τὴν παραγγελίαν  ('this command') refers back to 1:5 and becomes the "content" of the deposit Paul entrusted to Timothy. So what is the command? 

In 1 Timothy 1:5, Paul describes the motivation underlying the command entrusted to Timothy. He writes: 

τὸ δὲ τέλος τῆς παραγγελίας ἐστὶν ἀγάπη ἐκ καθαρᾶς καρδίας καὶ συνειδήσεως ἀγαθῆς καὶ πίστεως ἀνυποκρίτου,

Paul's command to Timothy is motivated by love, a pure conscience, and a sincere faith. So what is the command? 

The command Paul entrusts to Timothy is found in 1 Timothy 1:3–5: 

As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, 

So the sequence moving from the beginning to the end of the letter is as follows:

Command (1:3–4) --> Motivation for the command (1:5) -->  Entrusting the command (1:18) --> Final hand off of the deposit (6:20)

To recap, in 1 Timothy 6:20, Paul aims to remind Timothy of the important task he has before him: a task that includes instructing certain people not to teach errant doctrine and upholding the "entrusted deposit," or sound doctrine and commands that Paul establishes throughout the letter. 

If Timothy is going to guard the deposit entrusted to him, he is going to need to avoid false "knowledge." 

2) Avoid the knowledge that destroys the faith

The second appeal Paul makes to Timothy is to avoid "knowledge." Presumably, this "knowledge" contains irreverent babble and contradictions, so it is really no true knowledge at all. The reason Timothy should avoid this so-called "knowledge" is given in verse 21: for by professing it, some have swerved from the faith. 

Although γνώσεως occurs only in 6:20 in 1 Timothy, and broadly, the Pastoral Epistles, it does not minimize the important task that Timothy has to combat errant doctrine. 

Two more terms appear here at the end of the letter that appear at the beginning and at other parts of the letter. 

First, the participle ἐκτρεπόμενος in 6:20 occurs as an aorist in 1:6:

ὧν τινες ἀστοχήσαντες ἐξετράπησαν εἰς ματαιολογίαν

In 1:6, Paul highlights the observable fact that when people stray from apostolic instruction, they miss the mark (ἀστοχήσαντες) having turned aside (ἐξετράπησαν) to meaningless discourse (ματαιολογίαν). 

Interestingly, the second term that 6:20 and 1:6 share is ἀστοχέω. In 6:20 it appears as an indicative verb (ἠστόχησαν), whereas, it appears as participle (ἀστοχήσαντες) 1:6. 

Here are the two verses side-by-side for comparison:

1:6: ὧν τινες ἀστοχήσαντες ἐξετράπησαν εἰς ματαιολογίαν,

1:6: For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion,

6:20–21: Ὦ Τιμόθεε, τὴν παραθήκην φύλαξον, ἐκτρεπόμενος τὰς βεβήλους κενοφωνίας καὶ ἀντιθέσεις τῆς ψευδωνύμου γνώσεως, ἥν τινες ἐπαγγελλόμενοι περὶ τὴν πίστιν ἠστόχησαν.

6:20–21: O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge "-- which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. 

Paul's point can be summarized with two statements: 

1) People who miss apostolic instruction stray and turn aside to worthless discussions.

2) Timothy, turn away from "knowledge" because by professing it, some have swerved from the faith.

In the end, Paul does not want Timothy to turn out like the very people he has been instructed to rebuke! Timothy must guard the apostolic instruction and avoid any antithetical or irreverent babble that may hinder his faith. 

The letter concludes with Paul's common signature: Grace be with you.