In instituting the union of marriage, the Lord had definite objectives in mind.  They include the following:

*    The need for ‘companionship’, ‘helping hand’, accomplishment’ and the benefits derived from them (Gen. 2:18).  From the very beginning, the principle of “two are better than one” was at work (Eccl. 4:9-10).

*    The need for reproducing, increasing and multiplying (Gen. 1:27-28 e.g. verses 21-22).

*    Apart from the above original purpose of marriage, the need of the present to avoid fornication and adultery makes marriage mandatory for those who are susceptible to “burning” (1 Cor. 7:1-2, 9).

It is only such things that fall under these objectives that those married or wishing to marry should pursue.

Marriage is full of responsibilities, more so as mankind degenerated into errors and the associated difficulties.  Therefore, marriage is not a business for teenagers, but of people who have some substantial measure of maturity of mind and body – men and women (not boys and girls) (1 Cor. 7:1-2).  This is consolidated by the fact that Adam and Eve were created mature human beings (not teenagers), before they were brought together as husband and wife (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:18, 21-24).