📖 Biblical Definition
One flesh is the marriage union as Genesis 2:24 names it: therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Christ in Matthew 19 quotes the verse and adds: what therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. The union is bodily, covenantal, and divinely effected; once joined, sundering is against God.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
(Gen 2:24; Mt 19.) The marriage union named by God; bodily, covenantal, divinely effected.
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Genesis 2:24 is foundational. Christ in Matthew 19:5 cites it in answering the divorce question; Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:16 cites it on sexual sin (even union with a harlot creates a one-flesh joining); Ephesians 5:31 cites it on Christ and the church.
Each citation extends the same picture: physical union, covenant union, mystical union with Christ. One verse, three theological mountains.
📖 Key Scripture
Genesis 2:24 — "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."
Matthew 19:6 — "Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."
1 Corinthians 6:16 — "What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh."
Ephesians 5:31 — "For this cause shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern marriage culture treats marriage as contract; Scripture treats it as one-flesh union effected by God.
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Christ's addition in Matthew 19:6 is decisive: God hath joined together. Marriage is not mutual ratification; it is divine joining. The flesh-union is a fact God creates; the spouses do not assemble it; they receive it.
Hence divorce's seriousness. Let not man put asunder what God has joined. The household's long defense of the marriage is honoring the divine joining that exceeded human powers to create.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew basar echad — one flesh.
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Hebrew basar — flesh, body.
Hebrew echad — one; the same word for the LORD's oneness in the Shema (Deut 6:4).
Usage
"Marriage is not mutual ratification; it is divine joining."
"The flesh-union is a fact God creates; the spouses receive it."
"Long defense of marriage honors what exceeded human powers to create."