COMPANIONSHIP – Whereas the creation of male and female mankind was “very good” (Gen 1:31), the creation of the male alone had not yet fulfilled God’s purpose for man as the image of God (Gen 2:18). This expresses no failure on God’s part; instead, it instructs us that a male creature alone is not the perfect creation that God had in mind. Adam needed a wife to be all that God intended him to be, as is normally the case with all men unless God grants otherwise (Matt 19:10-12; 1 Cor 7:6-7). The same, of course, would be true of the woman whom God made for the man (1 Cor 11:9).

And needed “a helper who is like him,” that is, someone to complement or complete him, whose nature corresponded to his own (Gen 2:21-23). He needed more than a vessel for the production of children; he needed a “help,” not a demeaning term since it is also used of God (Gen 49:25; Exod 18:4; Deut 33;7,26; 1 Sam 7:12; Isa 41:10; Psa 10:14; 33:20). Together, under God’s direction and the husband’s leadership, they could find satisfaction in fulfilling the purpose for which God had created them. The companionship that is shared between husband and wife in marriage enables physical, psychological, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

Companionship within marriage is expressed in acts of love. The pattern of love that ought to define a marriage is found in 1 Cor 13:1-7. Thus, marriage should be a place of patience, humility, joy, truth, peace, affirmation, and hope. Conversely, marriage is not a place for abuse. Nowhere in scripture is a husband or wife given authority to strike or demean his/her spouse.