In Genesis 2:24, when the marriage covenant is ordained, man and woman are designated as "one flesh"—one unit. God is indeed creating a Family modelled after His own characteristics. Though in human perspective we might not understand the depts of “one flesh”; So, bible calls it as mystery and our words are inadequate to explain it. We shall look into few passages to explore the meaning of one flesh mystery. (Genesis 2:24, Ephesians 5:28-32, 1 Corinthians 6:16)

What does it mean by one flesh?

• When the Bible talks about “one flesh”, it really means one flesh. It means just as our bodies are one whole entity and cannot be divided into pieces and still be a whole, So God intended it to be with the marriage relationship. There are no longer two entities but now only one. (Mark 10:6-9)

• Marriage is a spiritual union not just a physical union between man and a woman.

• The couple is expected to become one emotionally, spiritually, intellectually, financially and the couple is to become one in every other way.

• As we love, care, nourishes and cherishes our own body, we must love, care, nourish and cherish our spouse. (Ephesians 5:28,29,33)

• Physically we belong to each other and each are not to consider their bodies their own but belonging to the spouse. (1 Corinthians 7:3-5); so, God’s word reminds us that any relationship outside the marriage is sin.

• Marriage is inseparable and intended to be unbreakable.

Paul brings an important teaching about connection between Christ and church. How we treat each other should be based on the relation between Christ and church. Christ call church as his own body. He loved the church and gave himself for the church and he nourishes, cherishes his body the church. So as Christ and Church is one flesh so husband and wife are. May God continue to strengthen us to love, support, and to make us holy for his purposes.