A question often asked about marriage is whether it should be viewed as a contract or a covenant. To answer this question, let’s begin by defining each term.

A contract is a formal agreement between two or more parties, usually written, requiring each to do something. It has a fixed time limit and is usually terminated either when the parties fulfill the requirements or one party breaks the agreement by failing to perform. As described in the Bible, a covenant is a sovereign pronouncement of God by which He establishes a relationship of responsibility between Himself and individuals, humankind in general, or nations. It is a permanent commitment and human failure is never permitted to invalidate it or block its fulfillment.

Marriage is a covenant relationship, not a contract. It is the first covenant offered by God to His human creatures. This is made clear in the following passages from the Bible:

PROVERBS 2-16Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman, from the flattery of the adulterous woman. 17She has abandoned her husband and ignores the covenant she made before God. (NLT) MALACHI 2-13Here is another thing you do. You cover the Lord’s altar with tears, weeping and groaning because he pays no attention to your offerings, and he doesn’t accept them with pleasure. 14You cry out, "Why has the LORD abandoned us?" I’ll tell you why! Because the LORD witnessed the vows you and your wife made to each other on your wedding day when you were young. But you have been disloyal to her, though she remained your faithful companion, the wife of your marriage vows [NIV-covenant]. 15Didn’t the LORD make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard yourself; remain loyal to the wife of your youth. 16"For I hate divorce!" says the LORD, the God of Israel. "It is as cruel as putting on a victim’s bloodstained coat," says the LORD Almighty. "So guard yourself; always remain loyal to your wife." (NLT)

As husband and wife under the covenant of marriage, you have great security and freedom, and a lifetime to learn how to bond together as one. The "I do" you vowed to each other on your wedding day was not the culmination of your relationship, but the beginning of a new commitment to develop together your husband-wife relationship for the rest of your lives. Covenant provides marriage partners with the challenge and stability of a lifetime to grow together in deep friendship by improving your communication skills and continuing to discover new things about each other. Covenant encourages you to know your spouse in an abiding, intimate way.