Can a Christian man marry a older Christian woman?
Does the Bible speak to this at all?
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Asked March 17 2014
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Mani Maran
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Seth Freeman
The Bible does not provide guidelines for marriage to Christians outside of the principle that Christians need to marry other Christians. II Corinthians 6:14 - Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? The only thing I would say is that marriage truly is one of the most important decisions you will ever make in your life. Make sure you've prayed about it, make sure you are willing to love your spouse like Christ loved the Church. Make sure you believe that this is what the Lord wants for you.
Arun Kumar
The Bible does not give a clear indication about the age difference for the couples to marry. No where does the Bible prohibit marrying an older woman. But we prefer it because if the woman is older than the man, there is a possiblity of dominating him because of being older than him. Note that only Adam was formed first and Eve then. They were not formed simultaneously nor the woman was formed first. But the Bible does not restrict a man marrying an older woman. You should be aware of a man continuing the family lineage by marrying the wife of a demised elder brother in the OT. So this implies, the wife of the elder brother even if she is older than the younger brother can/should marry him according to the commandment of God (Genesis 38:9). But make sure that the age difference is not much. See, it is too uncommon for anyone to marry a woman who is 10 years older than him. This will certainly create an imbalance in the physical and mental relationship between the couple. Isn't it practical that two unequal oxen should not be yoked together? (Im not referring the passage 2 Corinthians 6:14) but generally in an agriculture perspective. This make some sense. Otherwise, there is no restriction from God. There is no problem if the diference is within 5 years. If she is a divorcee, make sure that she has not divorced anyone before, for a reason nothing other than adultery (Matthew 19:9) and so do you.
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