Understanding Luther's Small Catechism: The Sixth Commandment and Marriage

Luthers Small Catechism The Sixth Commandment Exodus 20: 14 You Shall Not Commit Adultery

The Sixth Commandment You Shall Not Commit Adultery Discipleship is not antithetical to marriage God instituted marriage prior to the fall into sin(Genesis 2: 24) The 6thCommandment is God s protective wall around marriage Luther: Thus God wants to guard and protect every husband and wife through this commandment against anyone who would violate them Luther sees marriage as foundational for human life Believers are to abstain from sexual immorality (1Th 4: 3) Luther: God instituted marriage as the appropriate channel for sexual desire

The Sixth Commandment You Shall Not commit Adultery Luther Genuine celibacy is rare a high supernatural gift . Priests, monks, and nuns often fell into greater sin as they were incapable of keeping their vows. Luther sees no higher form of human life than marriage. Marriage is the venue for discipleship under the cross(Luther) The language of the cross was retained in Lutheran marriage liturgies until the late 20thcentury. Oswald Bayer(German Lutheran theologian); We cannot see our marriage as brought about by our own decision or just a contract easily dissolved Yoked together under the cross, husband and wife live together as one flesh

The Sixth Commandment Exodus 20: You shall not commit adultery . What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we lead a sexually pure and decent life in what we say and do, and husband and wife love and honor each other. Central thought God created us to live faithfully as male and female and respect His purpose for sexual activity in the context of marriage. Do we hold marriage between a man and a woman in high regard today? Why or why not? Genesis 2: 15-24 As Christians we cherish marriage as the union of our different yet complimentary natures as male and female. How can we talk about marriage and sex in ways that reflect God s good purpose for it?

The Sixth Commandment What is marriage? A lifelong union of a man and a woman for mutual help, joy, and procreation and nurturing children. Promise to live faithfully together until death. (Mark 10: 6-9) What is adultery? Unfaithfulness of a spouse who engages or desires sexual intercourse with someone to whom he or she is not married. (Matthew 19: 4-6) Does the commandment apply only to husbands and wives? No. The principle of sexual purity applies to all humans; married or not.(Matthew 5: 27-28) How do we fear and love God in keeping the Sixth Commandment? By respecting God s purposes for marriage by: Treating our bodies as holy.(1Th 4: 3-5; 1 Cor 6: 9-11). We know we violate God s purposes by engaging in sexual sin consensual(fornication), pornography, homosexual behavior, rape incest, child abuse etc.

The Sixth Commandment By speaking and acting to one another as male and female in ways that build up rather than tear down. (Eph 5: 4; Phi 4: 8; 1Ti 2: 9) By reserving sexual intercourse for marriage(not before or outside of marriage) Heb 13: 4 By refraining from lustful desire or activity of any kind(heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual) By treating our husbands and wives as a gift from God(Eph 5: 33; 1Cor 7: 1-11; Eph 5: 21- 33; ) Why are we (single of married) to respect the fact that God established marriage and created us male and female? Marriage should be respected so that: Individuals may flourish in modesty and self-control(Pro 25: 28; Gal 5: 22-23; 2Pet1:5-6)

The Sixth Commandment Husbands and wives may flourish: (Gen 2: 21-24) Since the fall, marriage takes on a healing purpose to help each other from falling into sexual sin. (1 Cor 7: 2-5 husbands and wives fulfill marital duty in sexual relations) Families , societies and creation as a whole may flourish through procreation and raising children. (Gen1: 28, 9: 7. 2: 15, 18) All focus on being fruitful and multiplying What does our created nature(natural law)teach us about marriage? Humans are by nature either male or female. Human life cannot be created without a man and a woman. What does the Bible affirm about people who are not married?

The Sixth Commandment Our identity worth, or completeness as human beings is not determined by our marital status, but by our Creator and redeemer God made us stewards of His creation whether married or single.(Gen1: 27-28) God has given all good things to all Christians, regardless of marital status(Rom 8:32-He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things. God calls unmarried persons to live in contentment as they trust in Him and serve their neighbor.(1Cor 7: 8; 1Cor 7:32-34) People will not be married in the age to come after Jesus returns(Matthew 22: 30)

The Sixth Commandment What is the Christian view of living together apart from marriage(cohabitation)? God s will for our lives is violated when a man and woman live together in a sexual relationship without being married. Cohabitation fails to honor God s gift of marriage : By not actually entering into marriage By separating sexual activity from marriage no public promise of faithfulness to each other. By confusing or deceiving others about the nature of the relationship(assuming cohabitation is a valid test for future marital access). Gen2: 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. What should husbands and wives do when they struggle in marriage? Our sinful world means there will be struggles in marriage. Husbands and wives will want to :

The Sixth Commandment Remember their marriage vows God has joined them in marriage and is with them Confess that both are sinners and need forgiveness, trust in Christ s forgiveness and forgive each other. Go to church together, read the word together, and pray together. Visit with Pastor for Confession and Absolution; ask for help finding Christian counselor. (Eph 5: 21-33 submission) What does the Bible say about divorce and remarriage? God forbids divorce except for marital unfaithfulness(adultery or malicious desertion). (Matthew 19: 7-9) Unfortunately, divorce cannot be avoided in many cases of domestic abuse.

The Sixth Commandment What are some of the dangers or temptations that pornography poses today? Pornography is sin, and because of the internet it is widely available, and can become an addiction for many people. It is dangerous because: It turns us away from God and our neighbor toward sinful desires(1John 2:16 For all that is inn the world the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life is not from the Father but is from the world) It treats others(usually women) as physical objects for selfish pleasure(Matthew 5: 28) It undermines desire for a healthy, loving sexual expression between a husband and wife in marriage and leads to unrealistic views and sinful expectations about sexuality. What does the Bible say about same-sex marriage? Same-sex marriage rejects God s intention.

The Sixth Commandment What is the Christian perspective on persons who are confused about their sexual identity? Christians realize that a desire and attraction for the opposite sex is the God-given basis for marriage. Some persons may be attracted to individuals of the same sex. Others feel uncomfortable with the sex they were born with. These feelings are from our fallen nature and contrary to the will of God. There-fore we should: Remember our chief identity is given in Baptism God s children and heirs of heaven: Respect our identity as male or female; it is how God made us; Respect God s intentions for us as male and female: Be obedient to God s command to curb desires for sexual activity until marriage: While most will marry, God s Word praises and blesses those who serve Him and live chaste lives:

The Sixth Commandment Seek assistance form parents, pastors, counselors, and Christian professionals where it is needed: Trust that God s grace is sufficient for us, and look to Christ for forgiveness, strength, and contentment Isaiah 29: 16 You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say of its maker, He did not make me ; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, He has no understanding ? In rare cases individuals are born with sexual ambiguity (not clearly male or female)