God intended a harmonious marriage. If harmony is to be found with a couple, the conditions must be right beforehand. To those young men who were not yet married, the apostle gave then the advice, as he stated, »by the commission of God«, “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication; that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour, not in the lust of sensuality, even as the Gentiles who know not God; that no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He, therefore, that despiseth, despiseth not man but God, who hath also given unto us his Holy Spirit.“ (1 Th. 4:3-8).

The Lord spoke very clearly about marriage, divorce and the possibility of remarrying; thereafter, we read what the disciples said, “His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, except they to whom it is given. For there are some eunuchs, who were so born from their mother’s womb; and there are some eunuchs, who were made eunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs, who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.“ (Mt. 19:10-12). If these three conditions do not apply to a young man, then he should not hesitate to take responsibility as a brother in Christ and marry a sister in Christ. Young brothers and sisters who neglect to get married, sooner or later will face difficulties which are of natural and bodily conditions. God knew why He instituted marriage. Therefore it is written, “… for it is better to marry than to burn.“ (1 Cor. 7:9)

It might have been Brother Branham who in questions and answers somewhere addressed young brothers who were about to take this decision, I am stating this to the best of my memory; If you feel that you cannot be without her, cannot live without her, and that you wish you could take her into yourself, then you know that she is the right one. That might be Brother Frank. But the whole matter reminds me of the eight chapters of the Song of Solomon, which deal with the bride and bridegroom, and with married life. In chapter 8, verses 6-7, we read about the intimacy with one another which is being expressed like this, “Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm; for love is strong as death, jealousy is cruel as sheol; its coals are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it. If a man would give all the substance of his house for love, he would utterly be rejected.“

A sister should also watch very carefully, that she waits until the right one comes, with whom she will spend and share her whole life; of course, it is not advisable to wait until the flower of her youth is gone (1 Cor. 7:36). A young sister should not let herself to get defiled in any way whatsoever. She should guard her virginity and bring the same into the marriage, for this, her husband will be thankful throughout all their married life. It might sound outdated, old-fashioned, but it pays off for a whole life of joy and happiness.

Right up to our time, it was common that a girl would stay in the house of her parents until she gets married and has her own family. The modern trend is such that many leave home as soon as possible to stand, as they say, on their own feet, and to set the track for their own lives independently. This is not always considered to merge into marriage. The question here can be rightfully asked; “Would such girls later fit into married life, and be submissive housewives fulfilling the requirements the Scripture shows forth towards their husbands and live harmoniously as a married couple?“

No one should be in a hurry with marriage, because it is a once and for all decision in life. Both should have the understanding beforehand that in every realm, and on every level right up to the questions of faith they do agree. It has to be like this, for God Himself said, “… for I will make him an help fit for him“ (Gen. 2:18). It is only then that one can have the assurance, that it was God Who joined two people together for the whole life.

God has even more to say also to the brothers, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it“ (Eph. 5:25). “In like manner, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel…“ (1 Pet. 3:7a). Men are called upon to live in a respectful way and honour their wives as they are the weaker vessel. They are neither doormats nor housemaids.

Wives should be, as Apostle Peter states in 1 Pet. 3, “having a meek and quiet spirit“ which would always win and draw their husbands to them. It is up to the wife to make in a home a heavenly atmosphere on earth, wherein her husband and children are comfortable. If she does not pay attention, and should what the Bible says about a contentious woman apply to her, then she can turn her own home into hell and ruin her marriage and family.

The apostle further speaks very clearly about the duty of one to the other. “Let the husband render unto the wife her due; and likewise also, the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband; and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife“ (1 Cor. 7:3-4). Thus God has arranged married life for those who are united in heart and body. This is the harmonious oneness as He Himself said, “and they two shall be one flesh.“ The apostle further writes, giving one of the main points for marriage, “withdraw ye not one the other; except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency“ (1 Cor. 7:5). Woe unto the man or woman who suddenly wishes to have power over their own body within marriage. Those who are single, decide for themselves. Those who are married cannot do that, as our text clearly states. It is only if both parties take the Word and practise it, that they will enjoy their married life, being united in earthly and divine love.

If either the man or the woman withdraws from the other party without having mutual agreement, then that is a clear transgression of the Word against the partner. If someone thinks that there is a possibility of withdrawal without consent, then he or she is asked to show forth from God’s holy Word where such a permission is given. Nobody becomes holy in withdrawing from the partner, on the contrary, that is an offence against the rules set forth for married life. Marriage is holy and nothing in it should be despised. But a married couple must live together, and no individual in a marriage can do what he or she likes. Everything has to be brought to a common denominator. Grace, in this case, also means that the couple should live together within the limits of God’s Word.

In the Garden of Eden, the Lord God had already said to the woman, “…and thy desire shall be to thy husband“ (Gen. 3:16). Man does not need to be told so, because it comes very naturally to him. He is made that way for reproduction. Therefore, it is written, that the woman is made for man. To him, married life is a God-given reward for the toils and cares of daily life. “Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity; for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun“ (Ecc. 9:9).

The apostle further writes to those who get married, “Nevertheless, such shall have trouble in the flesh…“ (1 Cor. 7:28). So it is, but we also can count upon the help of the Lord. “But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit; but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband“ (1 Cor. 7:33-34). Whoever gets married knows that two ways merge into one. The living room, bedroom, kitchen and everything, the two own together. In marriage there are no singles, and no self-life. “Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled…“ (Heb. 13:4).

The Apostle Peter is considerate and gives a good suggestion to those women whose husbands are not yet walking in the right way, that one can think of, “In the same manner, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the behaviour of the wives“ (1 Pet. 3:1). It is not through arrogance and fussing, not accusing, but as the Scripture says in our text, “through the behaviour of the wives“.

God intended a harmonious marriage. If harmony is to be found with a couple, the conditions must be right beforehand. To those young men who were not yet married, the apostle gave then the advice, as he stated, »by the commission of God«, “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication; that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour, not in the lust of sensuality, even as the Gentiles who know not God; that no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He, therefore, that despiseth, despiseth not man but God, who hath also given unto us his Holy Spirit.“ (1 Th. 4:3-8).

The Lord spoke very clearly about marriage, divorce and the possibility of remarrying; thereafter, we read what the disciples said, “His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, except they to whom it is given. For there are some eunuchs, who were so born from their mother’s womb; and there are some eunuchs, who were made eunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs, who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.“ (Mt. 19:10-12). If these three conditions do not apply to a young man, then he should not hesitate to take responsibility as a brother in Christ and marry a sister in Christ. Young brothers and sisters who neglect to get married, sooner or later will face difficulties which are of natural and bodily conditions. God knew why He instituted marriage. Therefore it is written, “… for it is better to marry than to burn.“ (1 Cor. 7:9)

It might have been Brother Branham who in questions and answers somewhere addressed young brothers who were about to take this decision, I am stating this to the best of my memory; If you feel that you cannot be without her, cannot live without her, and that you wish you could take her into yourself, then you know that she is the right one. That might be Brother Frank. But the whole matter reminds me of the eight chapters of the Song of Solomon, which deal with the bride and bridegroom, and with married life. In chapter 8, verses 6-7, we read about the intimacy with one another which is being expressed like this, “Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm; for love is strong as death, jealousy is cruel as sheol; its coals are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it. If a man would give all the substance of his house for love, he would utterly be rejected.“

A sister should also watch very carefully, that she waits until the right one comes, with whom she will spend and share her whole life; of course, it is not advisable to wait until the flower of her youth is gone (1 Cor. 7:36). A young sister should not let herself to get defiled in any way whatsoever. She should guard her virginity and bring the same into the marriage, for this, her husband will be thankful throughout all their married life. It might sound outdated, old-fashioned, but it pays off for a whole life of joy and happiness.

Right up to our time, it was common that a girl would stay in the house of her parents until she gets married and has her own family. The modern trend is such that many leave home as soon as possible to stand, as they say, on their own feet, and to set the track for their own lives independently. This is not always considered to merge into marriage. The question here can be rightfully asked; “Would such girls later fit into married life, and be submissive housewives fulfilling the requirements the Scripture shows forth towards their husbands and live harmoniously as a married couple?“

No one should be in a hurry with marriage, because it is a once and for all decision in life. Both should have the understanding beforehand that in every realm, and on every level right up to the questions of faith they do agree. It has to be like this, for God Himself said, “… for I will make him an help fit for him“ (Gen. 2:18). It is only then that one can have the assurance, that it was God Who joined two people together for the whole life.

God has even more to say also to the brothers, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it“ (Eph. 5:25). “In like manner, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel…“ (1 Pet. 3:7a). Men are called upon to live in a respectful way and honour their wives as they are the weaker vessel. They are neither doormats nor housemaids.

Wives should be, as Apostle Peter states in 1 Pet. 3, “having a meek and quiet spirit“ which would always win and draw their husbands to them. It is up to the wife to make in a home a heavenly atmosphere on earth, wherein her husband and children are comfortable. If she does not pay attention, and should what the Bible says about a contentious woman apply to her, then she can turn her own home into hell and ruin her marriage and family.

The apostle further speaks very clearly about the duty of one to the other. “Let the husband render unto the wife her due; and likewise also, the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband; and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife“ (1 Cor. 7:3-4). Thus God has arranged married life for those who are united in heart and body. This is the harmonious oneness as He Himself said, “and they two shall be one flesh.“ The apostle further writes, giving one of the main points for marriage, “withdraw ye not one the other; except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency“ (1 Cor. 7:5). Woe unto the man or woman who suddenly wishes to have power over their own body within marriage. Those who are single, decide for themselves. Those who are married cannot do that, as our text clearly states. It is only if both parties take the Word and practise it, that they will enjoy their married life, being united in earthly and divine love.

If either the man or the woman withdraws from the other party without having mutual agreement, then that is a clear transgression of the Word against the partner. If someone thinks that there is a possibility of withdrawal without consent, then he or she is asked to show forth from God’s holy Word where such a permission is given. Nobody becomes holy in withdrawing from the partner, on the contrary, that is an offence against the rules set forth for married life. Marriage is holy and nothing in it should be despised. But a married couple must live together, and no individual in a marriage can do what he or she likes. Everything has to be brought to a common denominator. Grace, in this case, also means that the couple should live together within the limits of God’s Word.

In the Garden of Eden, the Lord God had already said to the woman, “…and thy desire shall be to thy husband“ (Gen. 3:16). Man does not need to be told so, because it comes very naturally to him. He is made that way for reproduction. Therefore, it is written, that the woman is made for man. To him, married life is a God-given reward for the toils and cares of daily life. “Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity; for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun“ (Ecc. 9:9).

The apostle further writes to those who get married, “Nevertheless, such shall have trouble in the flesh…“ (1 Cor. 7:28). So it is, but we also can count upon the help of the Lord. “But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit; but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband“ (1 Cor. 7:33-34). Whoever gets married knows that two ways merge into one. The living room, bedroom, kitchen and everything, the two own together. In marriage there are no singles, and no self-life. “Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled…“ (Heb. 13:4).

The Apostle Peter is considerate and gives a good suggestion to those women whose husbands are not yet walking in the right way, that one can think of, “In the same manner, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the behaviour of the wives“ (1 Pet. 3:1). It is not through arrogance and fussing, not accusing, but as the Scripture says in our text, “through the behaviour of the wives“.