What does the bible say about "common law" marriages?

Question

My gf and I have been together for a long time, over ten years, and she wants to get married, and I don't see the point. I think it is just a big show. What do you think?

Answer 1

Knowing the bible, it's probably against it.

Answer 2

Just living together without being married is fornication - a big sexual sin in God's eyes from what I've read in the Bible. However, we are to live under the authority of the law of the land, according to the Bible. So, if you're in Texas where there is common law marriage after a required amount of time of living together, you're ALREADY married...! I'd find out - one way or the other, if I was in your situation...

Answer 3

Where are the rules regarding "wedding ceremonies" required in the Bible?

If they are in the old testament, are they among the laws that Christians ignore, or among the ones that Jesus didn't "fulfil"?

A marriage is a lifelong committment between a husband and wife. The ceremony is just a public announcement and celebration. Do what you think is best. If the ceremony is important for your common-law wife, go ahead and have a small one. They aren't all that expensive, and she and her family will enjoy it. If the two of you are happy together and committed to each other, and ceremonies are not important to either of you, wait for someone else to post what the Bible says about wedding ceremonies, because I've not seen any of those laws.

Answer 4

So if the bible says taht sex without marriage is fornication and thus a sin, then how were people "officially" married way back when? Who married Adam & Eve?

But if God also says to follow man's law, and man's law dictates that common law marriage is legal and binding, then that's a contradiction in the perfect facade that is Christianity, no?

Bummer.

Just something for thought- if common law marriage is legal and binding, and according to "p angel" then God wants love no matter what, then why in all fairness isn't gay common law marriage considered real?

Answer 5

When God performed the first marriage, I cannot find anything about a ceremony. I do not believe the bible addresses common law marriage specifically, but it does address obeying Caesar's laws. Is a common law marriage where you live one that is recognized by the state as a binding and valid marriage arrangement? No, not as the "informal marriage" in Texas.

Answer 6

Is cohabitation (living together) a sin?

There is the issue of living together. This is certainly immoral.

Consider these verses:

"And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife. If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay moneyaccording to the dowry of virgins." Exodus 22:16-17

1Corinthians 6:15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members
of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.

Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed
undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

God established that physical relations should occur only within the context of marriage. All else is a perversion of the ways of God.

Answer 7

Well, in Old Testament days, men had wives, ans some had concubines. To the best of my knowledge, a wife is with a legal, publicly recognized marriage, and a concubine is more like a common-law affair. God never shows approval of that.
A concubine was not protected by society, had no rights. One of the main ideas of marriage is to protect women's rights.

Answer 8

God instituted marriage as a covenant between a man and a woman symbolizing God's relationship with His people. Moreover, marriage is God's license to pro-create as He has commanded all to do. It's not a legal institution thought up by man simply because he thought it was a good idea. No, it's been around since the creation of man. Man has only complicated it by teaching that it IS a legal institution.

Answer 9

What does the bible say about "common law" marriages?

Titus 3:1: “Continue reminding them to be in subjection and be obedient to governments and authorities as rulers.” (When people heed these instructions, the name of each party to the union is kept above reproach, and any children are spared the reproach that falls on those whose parents are not married. Additionally, legal registration of the marriage safeguards the property rights of family members in the event of death of one of the mates.)

Heb. 13:4: “Let marriage be honorable among all, and the marriage bed be without defilement, for God will judge fornicators and adulterers.” (Getting legally married plays an important part in having a marriage that is accepted as being “honorable.” When defining “fornication” and “adultery,” we should keep in mind what is stated at Titus 3:1, quoted above.)

1 Pet. 2:12-15: “Maintain your conduct fine among the nations, that, in the thing in which they are speaking against you as evildoers, they may as a result of your fine works of which they are eyewitnesses glorify God in the day for his inspection. For the Lord’s sake subject yourselves to every human creation: whether to a king as being superior or to governors as being sent by him to inflict punishment on evildoers but to praise doers of good. For so the will of God is, that by doing good you may muzzle the ignorant talk of the unreasonable men.”

Answer 10

The Bible says that sex outside of marriage is fornication. You should get married. Are you Christians?

Answer 11

"Common law" marriages is a Western concept.
Marriage is the Biblical standard, for the protection of both people.
Hebrews 13:4 "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge."

If it's a show, it's a show of devotion and care, a public declaration that you are willing to accept her with any and all of her liabilities, along with all her "benefits."