The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God

Timothy and Kathy Keller are addressing both married and unmarried readers who are trying to understand what marriage really is—and what it isn’t. The book is anchored in three main sources: the Kellers’ personal experience of nearly four decades of marriage, their pastoral work, and biblical teachings on marriage. The Kellers push back against cultural ideals of marriage that equate soulmates with perfect compatibility. Their own story—rooted in friendship, shaped by shared faith, and tested by life’s challenges—serves as a reminder that lasting love is built not on perfection, but on grace, perseverance, and a shared commitment to grow.

The book’s origin lies in Timothy’s early sermons at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, where the majority of the congregation was single. Confronting the skepticism that modern Western culture holds toward marriage, the Kellers argue that people need a realistic yet hopeful vision of marriage, one that neither idolizes it nor dismisses it entirely. This vision, which comes from the Bible, offers practical help for those already in marriages and wisdom for single people who are considering it. The book is for those who have discovered that marriage is far more difficult than they imagined, and who are seeking guidance to make sense of that reality.