So does the teaching of Jesus and the apostles change the concept of marriage or enlighten our understanding from what we already know from the Old Testament? The answer to both is yes, but does it take it as far as we would like it to go?
The greatest concept of marriage that is enhanced or revived a return to the beginning and the concept of 'one flesh'. Jesus' teaching certainly makes divorce a harder option because of it and it paves the way for an understanding of Church/Christ being equated to bride/groom in Paul. The idea that marriage should be more than a cultural contract but involve instead a spiritual covenant is very much present in the teaching of Jesus and Paul.
One significant change is that women suddenly have a new importance in marriage. The role of women is defined in a very real way a submission by choice not by force of culture or strength. It also give a great picture of the importance of women in the mind of God as far as marriage as their role no longer being unimportant. As important as it is for a man to reflect Christ in his marriage role, it is just as important for a woman to reflect what the church should be in relationship to Christ.
The thing I am not sure of at this point is if these are truly new concepts or concepts that are being enhanced from the Old Testament. It seems that Jesus uses the Old Testament to make all his points; Paul and Peter as well engage both the Law and Old Testament History to illustrate what they see in marriage. While the concept of Church/bride in relationship to Christ/groom is new, the concepts of marriage they are built on are already there.
With my Observations concluded at this point, I now move on to the next phase which involves Interpretation and Application. What indeed does all this mean and how does it apply to our lives as Christians.
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