Glossary of Terms
Relating to Christian Dating and Marriage

• Abstinence:
  The practice of refraining from having sex before marriage.
• Adam and Eve:
  The first human beings and the first couple in the Bible whose relationship symbolizes the sanctity of marriage.
• Adultery:
  One of the ten commandments. Having sexual intercourse with anyone but your spouse.
• Adultery of the Heart:
  Looking at someone other than your partner in a lustful manner.
• Be Fruitful and Multiply:
  The first commandment of the Bible ordaining the sanctity of having children.
• Cleaving to Your Partner:
  The idea that marriage forms a bond as strong as one’s love for one’s parents.
• Coveting your neighbor’s wife:
  One of the ten commandments. Being jealous of someone else’s spouse.
• Equally yoked:
  The idea that the individuals in a Christian relationship are both committed to God.
• Love your neighbor as yourself:
  The principle commandment of the entire Bible in which one must both have self-respect and respect for others.
• Marriage triangle:
  The idea that the marriage bond is strengthened as the individuals each get closer to God.
• Purity Ring (also Abstinence Ring or Chastity Ring):
  A ring worn by girls before marriage symbolizing their commitment to abstinence.
• Soulmate:
  The idea that our partner completes us, derived from the relationship between Adam and Eve.
• Unequally yoked:
  A relationship between a believer and a nonbeliever.
• Yoke:
  A wooden beam joining two oxen that are working a field.
• Yoked oxen:
  A metaphor for a couple that is working toward the same end (equally yoked) or toward different ends (unequally yoked).