Explanation of the Text

Symbols in the Bible are prevalent and hold special meaning. Here we have the rib of the first man being used to make his wife. Sometimes it is difficult to decipher what symbols mean, and one should not randomly choose a meaning. All Scripture has one meaning and does not allow for private interpretation. The correct interpretation is what God actually intends to say.

What is the Bible saying about marriage? “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” (Gen. 2:22–23). There are three things we see:

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1. Your Wife Is an Equal Partner

Think of all the abuse women have endured across cultures throughout history. God never designed marriage for the wife to be inferior to her husband. The woman was made from Adam’s flesh—the same flesh—and both were made in God’s image: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Gen. 1:27).

Adam did not create his wife—God did. Man did not invent marriage—God did. The healthiest marriages are those that follow God’s design.

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2. Equal Partnership with Two Roles

“I will make him an help meet for him” (Gen. 2:18). The Hebrew phrase ʿēzer kenegdô (“help meet”) does not suggest the wife is inferior. God created her from the rib to be Adam’s closest helper. The husband is designed to be the leader of the home, and his wife is his equal partner and closest companion. That is God’s design.

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3. Created for Intimacy and Unity

“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Gen. 2:24). God made Eve from Adam’s rib; they are one flesh. Their relationship is designed for intimacy and unity.

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Cultural Challenges vs. God’s Design

Marriage is often defined by cultural traditions or pressures from family. But culture did not invent marriage—God did. It works best when God is honored. Here are six ways culture and God’s design can clash. These are broad statements and may not describe every family.

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1. Primary Loyalty to Parents vs. Loyalty to Spouse

In our culture, parents often have the final say in whom their children marry. Family expectations can dominate a marriage for years. But God’s design is that a man leave his parents and be joined to his wife (Gen. 2:24). Honoring parents is still important, but your primary loyalty is to your spouse, not your parents.

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2. Material Expectations vs. Marriage Faithfulness

Our culture often judges a wedding by banquet size, dowry amount, gifts, and financial display. But in God’s design, the wedding highlights a covenant promise, not a financial transaction. A healthy marriage is built on this promise of faithfulness, not money. You invite conflict into your marriage if you use it to increase “face.”

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3. Child-Centered Marriage vs. Spouse Priority

Our culture often puts children first and neglects the marriage relationship. This will kill a marriage. Once your children are grown, the marriage may collapse.

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it” (Eph. 5:25). Husbands, make your wife your primary relationship and let your children see it. Wives, make your husband your primary relationship and let your children see your love for him. Your children will respect and rejoice in such a marriage.

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4. Fewer Children vs. “Be Fruitful and Multiply”

Money is often the reason couples limit children; selfishness is another. But God said, “Be fruitful, and multiply” (Gen. 1:28). Having one child is not multiplying; having two is only breaking even. God’s design for marriage includes children. Trust God—not money—for provision.

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5. Divorce and Infidelity vs. Covenant Faithfulness

In cultures worldwide, divorce is common, and infidelity is often tolerated. But both are extreme violations of God’s design. “For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away” (Mal. 2:16).

God prizes faithfulness because He Himself is faithful. Humanity has often been unfaithful, worshiping false gods. Yet God has never abandoned His people. He will never “divorce” His own. Marriage is meant to reflect that unbreakable covenant.

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6. Social Duty vs. Gospel Witness

In culture, marriage is often viewed as a duty, a convenience, or something unnecessary. Many live together without marriage, ignoring God’s design.

But God’s design has a greater purpose: to display the Gospel. “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” (Eph. 5:31–32).

Marriage is a picture of Christ’s love for the church. Humanity’s unfaithfulness to God is like adultery. Yet God sent His Son Jesus to reconcile us.

“For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matt. 26:28).

Jesus’ death paid for our unfaithfulness. His resurrection offers new life to all who believe. The Gospel invites you to be forgiven, reconciled to God, and to pursue marriage as He designed it.