The Theology of Marriage in Matthew 19:1-12 as a Response to Marital Instability in African Christian Communities

Abstract

This study explores the theology of marriage in Matthew 19:1–12 and its relevance to addressing marital instability within African Christian communities. While previous scholarship has explored this passage from historical, theological, and cultural perspectives, its application in non-Western contexts, particularly in Africa, remains underexplored. Using a grammatico-historical approach, the research highlights Jesus’ affirmation of marriage as a lifelong covenant between a man and a woman, rooted in divine intention. The study situates Jesus’ teachings within first-century Jewish marital norms, Greco-Roman influences, and Old Testament texts such as Genesis 1–2 and Deuteronomy 24:1–4. Jesus’ response to the Pharisees emphasizes the sacred, indissoluble nature of marriage, challenging permissive divorce practices and advocating for fidelity, commitment, and purpose in marital relationships. These theological principles are then connected to modern African Christian contexts, where increasing divorce rates, domestic tensions, and cultural pressures threaten marital stability. The study argues that returning to a biblically grounded understanding of marriage, as presented in Matthew 19, can address these challenges. It concludes that embracing Jesus’ teachings—interpreted within their proper historical and grammatical framework—can offer a transformative model for strengthening marriages and promoting relational stability in African Christian communities.