The True Meaning Of Cherish: A Wedding Vow Explained

The phrase to love and to cherish is a common element of traditional wedding vows. To cherish someone means to hold them dear, to care about them deeply, and to treasure them. In the context of a wedding, to cherish implies an active appreciation of one's spouse and a recognition of their incredible value as a human being and as a life partner. It is about holding them in high regard, nurturing the relationship, and prioritising their needs and happiness. Cherishing one's spouse involves celebrating and honouring them, showing them affection, and putting them first. It is a choice that spouses make, to protect, care for, and prioritise each other, even during difficult times.

To hold or treat as dear

Cherishing your partner is an integral part of a healthy marriage. The word "cherish" implies a deep and active appreciation of the person or thing that is cherished. It means to hold or treat as dear, to feel love for, to care for tenderly, and to nurture.

When you cherish your spouse, you put them first and give them the best you have to offer. You want to protect them and give them your ultimate care. You receive joy from serving them and celebrating them.

In the context of marriage vows, the phrase "to love and cherish" means to hold your partner dear and to care about them deeply in a way that makes you treasure them and show them how much you value them. It implies an active appreciation of your spouse and a willingness to prioritise their needs and happiness.

For example, you might show your spouse how much you cherish them by spending quality time with them, giving them your undivided attention, and making an effort to understand their thoughts, feelings, and needs. You might also express your love and appreciation through words and actions, such as by writing love letters, giving thoughtful gifts, or performing thoughtful gestures.

Additionally, cherishing your spouse involves nurturing and caring for your relationship. This might include making time for regular date nights, celebrating anniversaries and other milestones, and finding ways to create new memories together. It also means committing to working through challenges and choosing to love and cherish your partner even during difficult times.

Ultimately, cherishing your spouse is about recognising their incredible value as a human being and as your chosen life partner. It is about treating them with the love, respect, and honour they deserve and prioritising their happiness and well-being in your life.

To care for tenderly

Cherishing your spouse means actively showing them how much you care about them and treasure them. It means putting them first and giving them the best you have to offer.

To care for your partner tenderly, you must recognise their incredible value as a human being, as a child of God, and as the one person you've chosen to spend your life with. This means giving them extra attention, making them feel better, and helping them become the person God created them to be.

It also means watching over them, defending them, and keeping them from harm. This could include protecting them from little things, such as rodents or noises, to bigger things, such as infidelity, abuse, or addiction.

In a marriage, cherishing your spouse also means serving them. This could be through cooking, cleaning, or other acts of service. It means choosing to cherish them even when it's difficult, and putting them before yourself.

Ultimately, to cherish your spouse is to care for them tenderly, deeply, and with great tenderness.

To show great tenderness

To cherish your spouse is to hold them dear, to care for them tenderly, and to show great tenderness. It is a promise to care for your partner and to protect them. When you cherish someone, you put them first and give them the best you have to offer.

The word "cherish" implies a deep and active appreciation of the person that is cherished. It is more than just a feeling; it is a choice and an attitude. It is about recognising your spouse's incredible value as a human being and as your chosen partner.

In a marriage context, to cherish your spouse is to celebrate and honour them. It is about taking joy in serving them and finding delight in sharing life with them. It is about praising them and showcase their best qualities to others.

To cherish your spouse is also about being enthusiastic and enthralled, and boldly and loudly celebrating the best in them. It is about taking the time to notice and appreciate the little things they do and the qualities they possess.

One way to cherish your spouse is to be intentional about treasuring and honouring them. This might look like keeping a journal, preserving memories, or making a list of the qualities you admire about them. It could also mean taking time to celebrate anniversaries and other milestones.

Ultimately, to cherish your spouse is to hold them dear, to care for them deeply, and to actively show them how much you value and appreciate them.

To love and cherish in Christian marriage vows

The phrase "to love and to cherish" is a common element of traditional Christian wedding vows. The exact wording varies, but the vows generally follow the structure:

> I, [name], take you, [name], to be my wedded [wife/husband], to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.

The word "cherish" implies a deep and active appreciation of the person cherished. It means to hold dear, to feel love for, to care for tenderly, to treasure, and to nurture. In the context of marriage vows, to cherish your spouse is to recognise their incredible value as a human being, as a child of God, and as the one person you have chosen to spend your life with. It is to put them first, to protect them, and to give them the best you have to offer.

While the phrase "to love and to cherish" is common in Christian wedding vows, it is not universal. Eastern Christians, for example, do not include marriage vows in their traditional wedding ceremonies. Additionally, some couples may choose to write their own vows or adapt traditional vows to reflect their personalities and commitment to each other.

To love, cherish and obey in Christian marriage vows

The phrase "to love, cherish and obey" is part of traditional Christian marriage vows. The exact wording varies depending on the church and region, but the sentiment remains the same.

The word "cherish" implies a deep and active appreciation of the person cherished. It means to hold dear, to feel or show affection for, to care for tenderly, to treasure, and to recognise the incredible value of one's spouse as a human being, as a child of God, and as a life partner.

The word "obey" in the context of marriage vows has its roots in centuries-old Christian beliefs and social rules, where women were viewed as the property of men. The inclusion of "obey" in wedding vows is based on the Bible verse Ephesians 5:21-24, which states:

> "Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the saviour. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything."

However, the word "obey" has become increasingly controversial and is often omitted from modern Christian marriage vows. While some interpret it as a sign of respect and unconditional support for their spouse, others view it as a symbol of female subservience and a restriction of free will.

In the United States, for example, the word "obey" was removed from Episcopal marriage ceremonies in the 1920s and virtually vanished from American Christian ceremonies in the 1960s. Similarly, the Church of England offered an alternative to the traditional vow in 1928, allowing couples to choose between the original vow and a version without the word "obey".

The evolution of marriage vows reflects a broader shift in societal attitudes towards gender equality and women's rights. While the specific wording may vary, the fundamental message of love, commitment, and mutual respect remains at the heart of Christian marriage vows.

Frequently asked questions