Marriage is interpreted or defined in different ways.

Before marriage became disorganized into confusion, there was an original design. It is important to understand that the original idea of (and plan for) marriage was God’s.

Adam — the first man, was busy doing what God asked him to do — when God looked at him and realized that Adam was not fulfilled. He required a partner.

God was the one who decided Adam needed a partner.

It was not Adam’s idea to request a wife.

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” Genesis 2:18

God determined Adam needed a wife and God proceeded to get him a wife. That was how marriage started. Paraphrased in reference to Genesis 2:21–25.

Since God was the original initiator of marriage, He had a design for marriage in mind.

God’s plan for marriage is Companionship Genesis 2:18. This encompasses physical, emotional, and spiritual companionship between the husband and wife. 

Couples should be together as much as possible. Long distance relationships for a prolonged period should be avoided. Emotional triangles are definitely not part of the plan. Couples should find emotional solace in each other.

Marriage is for Procreation. The original plan is for humanity to populate the earth through procreation Genesis 1:27–28.

Marriage is for the Raising of Godly Children. Marriage ought to provide a conducive environment in which to raise godly children, and to provide instruction for children in the fear of God. God had good words to say about Abraham in this regard Genesis 18:19.

Marriage is a platform for Joint Blessings. The intention of God is to use the marriage institution to bless His people Genesis 1:28. The blessing of God is upon every Christian marriage. The fruitfulness and multiplication described in Genesis 1:28 is not limited to procreation but to the whole relationship. 

That multiplication includes finances and business ventures. A husband and wife business venture is not an aberration, it’s part of the plan. Couples should trust each other enough to be plain about their finances with one another. The efforts in trusting each other and pulling in the same direction attracts the favor and blessings of God Proverbs 31:10–12.

Marriage is to reveal the relationship between Christ and the church. The ultimate plan of God for marriage, is to showcase the relationship of Christ and the church, i.e. the body of believers who accepted Jesus as Lord Ephesians 5:21–32.

Pursuing marriage, according to God’s original design, demands that partners submit to each other out of reverence to Jesus Christ. And they are to love each other like their own bodies. Pursuing marriage according to God’s original design brings out Christ’s love, love so deep it can’t be put in simple words.