what god has joined together nkjv
What God has joined together (NKJV) refers to Jesus’ words about marriage, meaning that when a man and woman marry, God Himself unites them in a lifelong one‑flesh covenant that people should not tear apart.
Quick Scoop: Core Idea
- The phrase comes from Jesus’ teaching in Mark 10:9 and Matthew 19:6: “Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” (NKJV wording is essentially the same as KJV/NIV here.)
- In context, Jesus is answering questions about divorce and goes back to Genesis, where God creates humanity male and female and ordains that the two become “one flesh.”
- The heart of the saying: marriage is God’s design and act, not just a human contract; therefore, no one has the right to casually break it.
Where it appears in the Bible (NKJV wording)
The phrase is tied to Jesus’ discussions on marriage and divorce:
- Matthew 19:4–6 (parallel to Mark 10)
- Jesus quotes Genesis: a man leaves father and mother, is united to his wife, and the two become one flesh.
* Then He concludes: they are no longer two but one flesh, so what God has joined together, humans must not separate.
- Mark 10:7–9
- The same logic: leaving, cleaving, and becoming one flesh.
* Verse 9 in the NKJV: “Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
These passages show that Jesus roots His teaching not in culture but in God’s original creation pattern.
What it means theologically
Here’s the main theological weight behind “what God has joined together”:
- Marriage is God‑initiated
- Jesus treats marriage as something God “joins,” even when people perform the ceremony.
* This elevates marriage from a private agreement to a covenant before God.
- One‑flesh reality
- “One flesh” indicates deep physical, emotional, and spiritual union.
* The idea is not just partnership but a new shared life.
- Divorce is against God’s original design
- Jesus acknowledges Moses allowed divorce because of “hardness of heart,” but says it was not so from the beginning.
* The ideal: marriages remain intact, protected from unnecessary rupture.
- Applies regardless of the couple’s beliefs
- Some Christian teaching points out that when any man and woman marry, they are still joined by God’s design for marriage, even if they are unbelievers.
Everyday implications (why people quote it)
Christians often use “what God has joined together” in:
- Wedding ceremonies
- Ministers quote Jesus as they pronounce husband and wife joined in God’s sight.
- Counseling about divorce
- Pastors use the phrase to underscore the seriousness of breaking a marriage covenant and to encourage reconciliation when possible.
- Reminding couples of commitment
- It calls spouses back to faithfulness, mutual sacrifice, and long‑term perseverance, not easy exit routes.
A simple way to hear it today:
“If God tied this knot, don’t take it lightly trying to untie it.”
Quick comparison of wordings
Here’s a small look at how different English Bibles render the same idea (Mark 10:9):
| Version | Wording of Mark 10:9 |
|---|---|
| NKJV | “Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” | [5]
| KJV | “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” | [9][3]
| NIV | “Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” | [5][7]
| ESV | “What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” | [5]
Mini TL;DR
- The phrase “what God has joined together” (NKJV) comes from Jesus’ words in Matthew 19:6 and Mark 10:9.
- It teaches that marriage is God’s own joining of a man and woman into one flesh, meant to be a lifelong union not broken by human decision.
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A clear explanation of “what God has joined together” (NKJV) from Jesus’
teaching in Matthew 19 and Mark 10, exploring its biblical meaning, marriage
implications, and why it’s still quoted today.
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