Marriage and the Gospel

Transforming a pagan culture with love

1 Timothy 4:1-4

It happened in the pagan city of Ephesus—the epicenter of idolatry with the worship of Artemis. The gospel was introduced, lives were changed, and families were strengthened to the point where a silversmith named Demetrius feared for his livelihood as an idol maker (Acts 19:23-28). It happened again with the Reformation in the 16^th century. Celibacy was celebrated as the lifestyle of angels and a requirement for the priesthood. However, the astronomical number of illegitimate children cried out that something was wrong. When Luther rediscovered the study of Scripture, he was dumbfounded to learn that justification was by faith alone. You didn’t need to earn your salvation through celibacy and the freedom of the gospel emptied the monasteries and convents in the celebration of marriage. The result of the gospel message was the strengthening of the family.

Paul reminded Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:1-4 that deceiving spirits forbid people to marry. But the gospel is the perfect picture of matrimony throughout Scripture culminating in final marriage supper of the Lamb. Explore this thread of gospel transformation through marriage as we learn of the power to reshape our culture through love.