Featured Marriage: Authority Granted by God?

The passage you just quoted was from Matthew. It does say that Joseph took Mary as his wife, keeping her a virgin until after the birth of Jesus.

The passage from Luke says that Joseph was betrothed to Mary when they traveled to Bethlehem.

I can reconcile the passages by pointing out the passage from Matthew was focused on Joseph and whether or not he would take Mary as his wife...ever. After the vision from the angel he decided to make Mary as his wife but waited until after the birth of Jesus to become one flesh with her.

Thus, Luke says they were betrothed.

I don't see how you can reconcile the passages by saying they were already married and one flesh when they traveled to Bethlehem to scripture says they were betrothed.

I am, however, ready to be educated if you can reconcile the passages in a way that explains why Luke says they were betrothed, not married, on the way to Bethlehem.

 

You are assuming they were living together. You are assuming they had a wedding.

Luke says they were betrothed, not married, when they traveled to Bethlehem. Please reconcile that passage of scripture with your statement that they were already married when they traveled to Bethlehem.

 

Ok, I'll check the meaning.

 

The Greek word in Luke 2:5 is from "mnesteuo". It means to be promised to be married. It does not mean "wife" nor does it mean they were already married.

So, again, to answer the question you asked about whether Joseph and Mary were "one flesh" when they went to Bethlehem, Luke 2:5 (The passage concerning that trip) says that Mary was engaged to Joseph, not married to Joseph.

 

Again, you are assuming they co-habituated rather than traveled together as part of a larger group, which was common in that time because of the dangers on the road. We know nothing of Mary's parents and don't know whether they were part of the group or not.

Scripture doesn't give us all the details of every event. You may say that is an argument from silence but so is your statement that they co-habitated. Scripture says they traveled together not that they co-habitated.

 

I have always maintained that God joins in marriage, not a holy man or a wedding ceremony. That is what the thread is about.

Genesis tells us "how" a couple becomes "one flesh". You leave your father and mother and you cling to your wife. The "clinging" is s*x. You become intimate with the woman.

That is consistent with Paul's statement in 1 Cor. concerning becoming one flesh with a pros..tute.

I have answered your questions directly. I understand you disagree with me.

You have not yet reconciled the Matthew passage which states Joseph took Mary as his wife, and the Luke passage which states they were engaged, not married, when they traveled to Bethlehem.

Please answer directly.

 

I appreciate the information. You seem very comfortable with the Greek. Me, not so much, but I try.

A question. What does "consummate the marriage" mean?

Was the "completed action" the giving of the the bridal gift or was the "completed action" the marriage itself? It seems to me the completed action was the giving of the gift.

I understand that in Jewish culture there was little distinction between being engaged and being married. If the "completed action" is the marriage, why the need to connsumate?

If they were already married, why would Luke not use the word for wife to refer to Mary? "Guna" if I remember? Why make a point of distinction concerning their relationship?

Additionally, I would be interested in your take on Paul's statement in 1 Cor 6, concerning becoming one flesh with the pros..tute. He clearly quotes the Genesis passage concerning one flesh.

Do you think s*x is necessary to become one flesh as described in Genesis? Leave, cling, become one flesh?

Thanks again for the input.

 

Again, thanks for the input. What about the passage from 1 Cor 6. What significance is there to Paul stating you become one flesh with the pros..tute and then quoting the Genesis passage?