In Genesis 2:18 God said, "It is not good for man to be alone, I will make him a helpmeet (helper)." Read or listen to this chapter from Your Marriage God’s Way to learn why it's not good for man to be alone, and what it means for a wife to be a helpmeet.

Table of contentsFIVE REASONS IT IS NOT GOOD FOR MAN TO BE ALONEFirst, it is not good for man to be alone, because he would not have the help he needs.Second, it is not good for man to be alone, because he would not be able to fulfill God's second command.Third, it is not good for man to be alone, because he would not be able to enjoy certain desires.Fourth, it is not good for man to be alone, because he would not have the benefit of a woman’s positive influence.Fifth, it is not good for man to be alone, because he would not experience the sanctifying effects of marriage itself.A HELPMEET (HELPER) COMPARABLE TO HIMGod as Our EzerThe Holy Spirit as Our HelperThe Commendable Nature of HelpingHELP SUITED TO THE HUSBANDHELPING IS A TWO-WAY STREETWHAT DOES A WIFE’S HELP LOOK LIKE PRACTICALLY?Important ConsiderationsDon’t Despise the Day of Small ThingsTHE VIRTUOUS WIFE OF PROVERBS 31THREE THREATS TO A WIFE AS A HELPMEETThreat One: Pursuit of WealthThreat Two: Idleness Threat Three: Misplaced Self-Worth PRAISE FOR SUCH A HELPMEET

For six straight days, God created dry land, sun, moon, stars, sea creatures, birds, and animals. At the end of each day God saw what He created and saw that it was good (Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25). But after God created Adam, for the first time in the creation account He saw something that was not good—man being alone: “The Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helpmeet comparable to him” (Genesis 2:18).

God’s statement is even more interesting when we consider that Adam and Eve had not yet disobeyed Him. We do not typically think of anything being “not good” until after the fall. Because Adam had not sinned yet, it was not Adam himself who was not good. Neither was it anything he had or had not done that was not good. It was simply Adam being alone that was not good.

FIVE REASONS IT IS NOT GOOD FOR MAN TO BE ALONE

Although there are some exceptions, such as those Paul discussed in 1 Corinthians 7, let’s understand why it was not—and still is not—good for man to be alone.

First, it is not good for man to be alone, because he would not have the help he needs.

Leading and providing for a family is a lot of work. There is a significant load on men’s shoulders, and a wife can help lighten it. This is why the apostle Paul states, “Nor was man created for woman, but woman for the man” (1 Corinthians 11:9). A lot of discouragement can come a man’s way, and if he does not receive encouragement from his wife, where will he get it? Yes, there are other resources such as Scripture and relying on the Lord, but if those were all God wanted men to have, He would not have said, “I will make him a helpmeet.”

Second, it is not good for man to be alone, because he would not be able to fulfill God's second command.

“Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28). Children are one of God’s greatest blessings.

Third, it is not good for man to be alone, because he would not be able to enjoy certain desires.

God has given men and women healthy sexual desires to enjoy within marriage (Hebrews 13:4).

Some of these desires go beyond physical intimacy. God creates people as relational beings with emotional, mental, and social longings that are best fulfilled in marriage. People can serve as great friends, but they do not take the place of a spouse. For those who choose to get married, God wants them to have a steadfast companion all through life, and part of the reason He created the marriage relationship is to make that possible.

Fourth, it is not good for man to be alone, because he would not have the benefit of a woman’s positive influence.