Christian Beliefs about Matrimony and Marriage as a Sacrament

Matrimony is a word that originates from the Latin word ‘Mater’ which means ‘mother.’  Marriage originates from the Latin word ‘maritare’ which means ‘to wed, marry, and give in marriage.’ This treats marriage as a sacred alliance that a couple enter into so as to support each other and stay together throughout their life.

Is Christian Marriage Just a Conjugal Union?

The Catechism of the Council of Trent defines marriage as ‘the conjugal union between a man and a woman, both in legal status, establishing a perpetual and indissoluble communion of lives.’

Further, St. Thomas Aquinas and the Council of Trent elaborate the two-fold purpose of marriage in Summa theologiae, Supplementum (Q. 67, a. 1, ad 4th; Catechism of Trent, Part II, VII, §§ 13-14):

• procreation and education of the offspring
• mutual support of the spouses

What Does Christian Marriage Based on Natural Law mean?

Based on Natural Law, marriage was instituted by God when He created Eve and made her a companion to Adam. This belief is based on the words in the Old Testament, stating: “It is not good for man to be alone; let us make him a help like unto himself.” (Gen. 2:18).

Remember, the concept of ‘original sin’ is elaborated in the Old Testament and the following reason was added after the original sin was committed, “Increase and multiply and fill the earth” (Gen. 1:28).

The Christians believe that all prophets, pagans and patriarchs of their religion believed and lived in this state of Natural Law marriage till the coming of Jesus Christ.

Why is Marriage Between Baptized Christians Defined as a Sacrament?

The Code of Canon Law governs marriages in the Roman Catholic Church. It states that marriage between baptized Christians is a sacrament. The primary aim of such marriage is procreation and nurturing of children and the secondary aim is mutual help, martial love and support.

The Christian sacrament of matrimony improves on the concept of natural love between spouses and establishes that a married couple should love each other as Christ and the Church love each other (Eph 5:22).

Understanding the importance of the word ‘sacrament’ is very essential as it has tremendous biblical symbolism in its scope. The classical Roman Catholic definition of the word ‘sacrament’ is vested with two-tiered reality.

At one level, it celebrates an intimate communion between a man and a woman who are believers of the same faith and Church. At another level, their communion is symbolic of the lifelong love and commitment between Christ and the Church.

For Christians around the world, marriage is a prophetic symbol of the presence of God’s abiding love in their life at all times.