Genesis 2:18 reads, “Then the LORD God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him’.”(NASB) You are correct in saying that Genesis 2:18 isn’t guaranteeing everyone a spouse. Let’s look at a couple of references to prove that point.

In Matthew 19 the Lord Jesus was discussing the subject of divorce with His disciples and after informing them that it was only permissible in the case of fornication, His disciples responded in verse 10 with these words, “If the case of the man be so with his wife, IT IS NOT GOOD TO MARRY” (NASB). Their reply was quite extreme, for it contradicted the Lord Who established marriage and desires to bless a man and a woman in this relationship. To correct this extreme view, the Lord goes on to say in verses 11-12, “Not all men can accept this statement, but ONLY THOSE TO WHOM IT HAS BEEN GIVEN. For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept this.” The Lord gave them three examples of those who would indeed remain single, but by doing so He was obviously implying that this would be the “exception to the rule” and that it would still be GOOD TO MARRY.

In 1st Corinthians 7 the apostle Paul, who was not married, encouraged SOME of his readers not to marry. Paul was an example of what the Lord stated in Matthew 19:12, “there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.” In verse 7 he declares, “For I would that all men were even as I myself.” Why would he say that? Verses 32-33 supply the answer, “But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife” (NASB). Paul is basically saying that the unmarried state is ideal for one who is focused on serving the Lord, for he can then serve the Lord without having to be concerned about fulfilling his obligations to his wife. In verse 35 he puts it this way, “that you may serve the Lord without distraction” (NKJV). But he did stress earlier in the latter half of verse 7, “But each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.” This agrees with what the Lord Jesus had said in Matthew 19, for the ABILITY TO REMAIN SINGLE, without any desires for a woman, is something that GOD MUST GIVE TO THEM. This proves, beyond doubt, that Genesis 2:18 is NOT teaching that all men will get married.

Now let’s tackle your question: What does this verse really mean? I believe it means that the GENERAL RULE is that “It is not good that the man should be alone.” Have you ever thought of the fact that throughout chapter one of Genesis God said of His creation that “IT WAS GOOD?” Now He is saying, for the first time, “It is not good.” Why wasn’t it good? Because Adam was ALONE! One may be thinking, “But he had communion with God and dominion over all the animals, wasn’t that enough?” As wonderful as those things were, He had no “human” companion to share his life with. COMPANIONSHIP is one of the greatest reasons for marriage and God established marriage to provide man with a true, life-long companion. We saw in Genesis 2:18 that God said, “I will make him a helper suitable for him.” The word “helper” carries with it the thought of one who would “complete him.” It is NOT a word suggesting she would be inferior, but that she would “help to supply needs that he lacked.” Again, he lacked “companionship” and she would fill that need. She would also supply his need for physical “intimacy” and the need to “populate the earth.” So, in addition to COMPANIONSHIP, marriage also meets the need for PROCREATION. How blessed Adam must have been when he awoke from his deep sleep and God then presented to him the one who would truly MAKE HIM COMPLETE!  (196.5)  (DO)