From Carolyn McCulley’s Radical Womanhood (79).

Cohabitation by its definition is anticommitment. A prolonged “maybe” is not a commitment. It’s sad that this is seen as a better option to God’s gift of marriage. What Scripture portrays is a passionate, secure love between husband and wife, where commitment provides the freedom to celebrate one another and not hedge bets:

You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride; you have stolen my heart with once glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace. How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much more pleasing is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than any spice! (Song of Songs 4:9-10 NIV)