The Historical Development of the Book of Church Order

Chapter 59 : The Solemnization of Marriage

Paragraph 3 :

59-3. Marriage is only to be between one man and one woman (Gen. 2:24,25; Matt. 19:4-6, 1 Cor. 7:2), in accordance with the Word of God. Therefore, ministers in the Presbyterian Church in America who solemnize marriages shall only solemnize marriages between one man and one woman.

[DIGEST: Changes resulting in the above text were adopted at the 47th GA by a final vote of 77 for & 3 against [M47GA (2019), 47-9, p. 19; Appendix A, p. 166] Previously the text of BCO 59-3 had remained unchanged from the text proposed and adopted in 1973, which was turn is the same text as found in PCUS 1933 [§365].

ANTECEDENT TEXTS:
1. PCA 1973, Adopted text, DfW, 13-3 [M1GA, Appendix, p. 160]
2. Continuing Presbyterian Church 1973, Proposed text, DfW, 13-3 [p. 74]
3. PCUS 1933, DfW, XIII-3 [§365]
Marriage is to be between one man and one woman, in accordance with the Word of God.

1. PCUS 1925, DfW, XII-3
[§357]
2. PCUS 1894, XII-3
Marriage is to be between one man and one woman only; and they are not to be within the degrees of consanguinity or affinity prohibited by the Word of God.

PCUSA 1789, DfW, XI, Section III.

Marriage is to be between one man and one woman only; and they are not to be within the degrees of consanguinity or affinity prohibited by the word of God.

The Directory for the Publick Worship of God; agreed upon by the Assembly of Divines at Westminster,... [1645]
The Solemnization of Marriage, paragraph 2
Marriage is to be betwixt one man and one woman only; and they, such as are not within the degrees of consanguinity or affinity prohibited by the word of God; and the parties are to be of years of discretion, fit to make their own choice, or, upon good grounds, to give their mutual consent.

OTHER COMPARISONS:
Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter XXIV - Of Marriage and Divorce. - Paragraph 1
Marriage is to be between one man and one woman: neither is it lawful for any man to have more than one wife, nor for any woman to have more than one husband, at the same time.[a]
[a] Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5-6; Proverbs 2:17.

UPCNA 1912, Book of Government and Worship, XX-§396
The parties in marriage must not be within the degrees of consanguinity or affinity prohibited by the Word of God,
nor persons divorced on unscriptural grounds. They must be of years of discretion and capable of making their own choice.
If they are under age, the consent of their parents or guardians should be obtained by the Minister before solemnizing the marriage.