1.79 The Ancient Law of Marriage

Section 1.79. Of the Ancient Law of Marriage.

Eph 5:31.—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.

Inference. The same points which were before laid down, concerning the near union of man and wife, and of Christ and the church, are here further confirmed by the ancient law of marriage: which the apostle does the rather mention, because it follows upon that text, whereunto he alluded in the former verse. For when Moses had alleged these words of Adam concerning Eve, This is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh, he adds this law, Therefore shall a man leave his father, [Gen 2:23-24] etc. In this place these words have both a literal and mystical sense. A literal of man and wife. A mystical of Christ and the church. The main thing which the apostle aims at, is to show how nearly man and wife are linked together: that thereby they may the rather be moved to perform those mutual and several duties which they owe each to other. But because he propounded to husbands and wives the examples of Christ and the church, as patterns and motives to them, to do their duty, he applies that which was first spoken of man and wife, unto Christ and his church, to show that there being so fit a resemblance between these two couples, the pattern propounded is the more pertinent to the purpose, and the reason enforced from thence the more forcible. Because the opening of the literal sense will give great light to the mystery, I will first handle this text according to the meaning of the letter.

The first clause for this cause implies a necessary connection with that which went before. The near union of man and wife, as well as of Christ and his church, was before noted. A wife was said to be as the body of a man, [Eph 5:28] yea as himself. Adam called her his flesh and bones. [Gen 2:23] Hereupon both Moses and Paul infer, Therefore, or, For this cause shall a man leave father. Because man and wife are so near by God's institution, they must also be most dear each to other in their mutual affection.

Meaning of the Words

The man (meaning an husband) is here in particular mentioned, because at the first making of this law the woman was brought to him to see how he would like her: and having cast his affection on her, he was to be bound hereby to continue that good liking towards her: as also because of the preeminency which man has above his wife. Yet is not the man only tied hereby, but the wife also: the nature and rule of relation requires as much: if a man must inseparably cleave to his wife, the wife must answerably cleave to her husband.

These words shall leave father and mother are neither generally to be taken of all duties, as if no duty were to be performed to parents by children after they are married: nor simply, as if indeed parents were utterly to be forsaken: but they are meant,

1. Of that daily service which children under their parents' government perform unto them, seeking to please them in all things. When children are married, then their daily attendance must be upon their wives, or husbands, taking care how to please them. [1 Cor 7:33-34]

2. Of erecting a new family: for which end their parents' house must be left, and the husband and wife must dwell each with other.

3. Of the difference to be put between parents, and wife or husband. So as if by any inevitable occasion it should so fall out, that a man must leave his parent, or his wife (as in case both parent and wife were both giving up the Ghost, and in places so far remote, as the husband could not possibly be with both, yet both instantly desired his company) by this law he must leave his parent, and cleave to his wife.

Hereby then the bond of marriage is declared to be the most inviolable bond that can be. For all men know, that the bond between parent and child is a firm and inviolable bond: but the bond between husband and wife is more firm and inviolable.

To set forth the firmness of the marriage bond he adds this emphatical phrase, shall be joined, (or as the word properly, according to the natural notation thereof signifies, shall be glued) to his wife. Things well glued together are as fast, firm, and close as if they were one entire piece. Yea we observe by experience that a table will often times cleave in the whole wood, before it will part asunder where it is glued: so as an husband ought to be as firm to his wife as to himself: and she to him.

Fitly does this agree with that which follows (they two shall be one flesh). Our English cannot well express the Greek in good sense word for word (which is thus, they two shall be into, or in one flesh) the meaning is, They which were two before marriage, by the bond of marriage are brought into one flesh, to be even as one flesh: as nearly united, as the parts of the same body, and the same flesh. This unity is not in regard of carnal copulation (for if they be married they are one flesh, though they never know one another) nor in regard of procreation, because one child comes from them both (for though they never have child, yet are they one flesh) but in regard of God's institution, who has set it down for a law, and as another nature, that man and wife should be so near one to another. Their consent in marriage (by virtue of God's institution) makes them to be one flesh.

Well does our English note the emphasis of the original in this particle They (they two) which shows that the bond of marriage knits only two together: one man, and one woman, and no more.

Sum. This law sets forth the union between man and wife.

Therein three things are noted concerning the state of marriage.

1. The preeminency of it (a man shall leave father and mother).

2. The firmness of it (and be joined to his wife).

3. The nearness of it (they two shall be one flesh).