Marriage is a precious blessing from God. It is a sacred vow between a man and a woman to unite as one in his presence. Most of us are looking forward to the day we marry the right person God wants for us. We anticipate the day where we look into our partners’ eyes as we say our sweet vows. In front of God and all the people we cherish, we promise to stay together for better and for worst. As we start this new chapter of our lives, we aim for a strong and happy marriage. However, it is hard to maintain if we don’t have a strong foundation within our marriage. Marriage is not only being lovey-dovey with our spouses. It is also overcoming challenges together. Look for guidance in these Bible verses about marriage to create the beginning of a God-centered family.
Marriage According to the Bible
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Genesis 2:18
Then the Lord said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”
God created a woman from the dust on the ground Just as He did when He made man. God chose to create her from man’s flesh and bones. It shows that in marriage, man and woman are symbolically united as one. God created men and women to complement each other, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Marriage is a mystical union of the hearts and minds of the couple. Throughout the Bible, God treats this special relationship seriously.
Genesis 2:21-23
Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.”
God took the woman from the man’s side and not out of a higher or lower part of his body. It illustrates that she shouldn’t seize authority over the man, but she is also not to be his slave or servant (1 Timothy 2:12). A woman is a man’s companion. And she should be treated with kindness, respect, and attention.
God forms and equips men and women with various tasks. However, all these tasks lead to the same goal, which is to honor God. Each role carries exclusive privileges. There is no room for thinking one gender is superior to the other. God created both men and women equally.
Genesis 2:24
That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
Marriage is God’s gift to Adam and Eve. God created them perfect for each other. Marriage is not only for convenience nor is it created by any culture. God instituted and blessed it. The man leaves his parents, in a public act, and promises himself to his wife. Both the man and the woman are joined together by taking responsibility for each other’s welfare. At the same time, they are to love each other above all others. The two are united into one in the intimacy and commitment of a sexual union reserved in marriage.
Marriage is a serious matter in the eyes of God. He treats this special union between a man and a woman preciously. It is not for convenience or tradition. But, this bond is a life-long commitment. God wants us to cherish our marriage and build a relationship pleasing to Him. A secret to a strong marriage is putting God as the center of our lives. Various Bible verses about marriage help us build a strong relationship with our spouses. These will also help us see the importance of marriage in God’s perspective.
Bible Verses About Love and Marriage
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The most important part of a marriage or any relationship is love. We stay in a relationship when we love each other through our highs and lows. We can look at God and see how he loves us unconditionally. As we understand God’s marvelous love, we manifest it to others. Sometimes, we find it hard to love our partners, but we can ask God to help us learn to love them unconditionally. We should love them like how God continuously loves us through the best or worst versions of ourselves.
Let these Bible verses about love and marriage change our worldly perception of this precious bond.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
This bible verse about love from the Apostle Paul is a well-known verse about love. Paul describes that love is patient and kind. In marriage, inevitably, we sometimes get annoyed or irritated with our spouses. We probably get angry when they don’t meet our expectations of them. However, God’s love teaches us to let go of the perfect visions in our minds, and learn to love them like how He loves them. If we live to our expectations, we will only get frustrated in the end. This Bible verse is a reminder that we should love our spouses unconditionally.
God teaches us to love others unconditionally. His kind of love is directed outward towards others, and not inward towards ourselves. We all have our natural desires, but God teaches us to set our desires aside. We can do this when we let God remove our desires so we can love others without expecting something in return. The more we become like Christ, the more Christ-like love we’ll show to others.
1 Corinthians 16:14
“Do everything in love.”
When we get married, we need to adjust ourselves to our spouses. It is a lifelong journey where we don’t only think about ourselves, but we consider them too. They are already part of our lives. Making things or decisions with them will burn us out if we do it just because it’s our responsibility. Yes, we already have a responsibility to fulfill with them. Our relationship would be better if we do everything in love. Without love, everything we do will not be worth it.
Ephesians 4:2
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.
A key for a successful and strong relationship is understanding each other. Marriage is difficult. Every couple will face different trials and challenges along the way. But they can overcome it when they let love overcome their hearts. Don’t let our pride overrule us. Our partners are not perfect. They will encounter mistakes, and we will see their flaws. When we let love in our hearts reign, we will see their beauty beyond their imperfections.
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Mark 10:9
Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.
God has a high view of marriage that he doesn’t want anyone to separate easily. Marriage is a covenant relationship. Sometimes when we have our differences with our spouse, we may think of separating from them. However, we have to learn to forgive like Jesus forgives and overcome our issues with our spouse and find a positive solution instead of taking the easy way out. It is a commitment from God. It is not only based on shifting feelings, but a choice to love our partners every day of our lives. No one can separate two people God binds together.
Deuteronomy 24:5
If a man has recently married, he must not be sent to war or have any other duty laid on him. For one year he is to be free to stay at home and bring happiness to the wife he has married.
Newly married couples should remain together during the early stage of their marriage. This is a good chance to mature and strengthen the relationship. It is important to let the marriage go strong before confronting numerous responsibilities.
Matthew 19:4-6
“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
Ephesians 5:31
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”
The union of husband and wife merges two persons in such a way a little can affect one and the other. Oneness in marriage doesn’t mean losing our personalities in the personality of our spouses. Instead, it means caring for our spouses as much as we care for ourselves. It is also learning to anticipate his or her needs and helping them become all they can be. This is what God means when husband and wife unite as one.
Before we get married, we pray for a partner that is suitable for us. We all want our love story to be happy and most probably free from any difficulties. Usually, it is our goal to find the right person. However, God’s plan is different. He molds us to be the right person for our spouse or future spouse.
Here are some of the Bible verses about marriage that will guide us to be the right man or woman for our partners:
Bible Verses for Husbands
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We consider the man as the head of the household. Often, he is given a responsibility to make various decisions and to lead his family. The husband must be God-fearing. He should also continuously striving to have Christ-like characteristics. The husband should love his wife more than his own life and treats her with respect.
Proverbs 18:22
The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord.
Ecclesiastes 9:9
Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun—all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun.
God wants us to enjoy marriage and view it as a great gift from him. We need to see marriage as a great treasure, and we will protect and guard it as such. These Bible verses are a reminder that a wife is God’s blessing to a man. He should enjoy the companionship and his marriage with his wife. Wouldn’t it be nice to see your wife smiling happily towards you as you go home after work?
Ephesians 5:25-26
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word
Ephesians 5:28
In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
1 Peter 3:7
Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
For Paul, marriage is a holy union. It is a living symbol and a precious relationship that needs tender, self-sacrificing care. He devoted many words telling husbands to love their wives. How should a man love his wife? First, he should be willing to sacrifice everything for her. He should make her well-being his primary importance. He should take care of her as he cares for his own body.
Song of Songs 4:7
You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you.
From Song of Songs 4:1-7, we can see how the man praised his lover using beautiful imagery. The way he expressed his intense feelings of love and admiration are universal. Communicating love and express admiration in both words and actions can enhance a marriage.
Bible Verses for Wives
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Some people have probably mistaken the idea of an ideal woman in the Bible as servile or entirely domestic. The Book of Proverbs gives us a picture of a woman with a strong character. She has great wisdom, many skills, and great compassion. These Bible verses give us a different idea of what a woman is. In this book, the woman is an excellent wife and mother.
Proverbs 31:10-12
Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
In Proverbs 31:10-22, the woman is described as a manufacturer, importer, manager, farmer, seamstress, realtor, and a merchant. Her strength and dignity do not come from her achievements. These are the results of her reverence to God.
Proverbs 31:23-31
Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders. She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”
There’s a greater possibility that we couldn’t imitate everything the woman did in the book. However, we can use her as an inspiration to be the right godly woman for our spouse. We can learn from her industry, integrity, and resourcefulness.
Proverbs 31:30-31
Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.
In today’s society, physical appearance counts too much. However, the Book of Proverbs didn’t describe a wife’s physical appearance. Her attractiveness comes entirely from her character. Her character’s worth is more precious than rubies.
The Book of Proverbs starts with the command to fear God (Proverbs 1:7). And the woman fulfilled this command. Her qualities from her fear of God, respect for her spouse, hard work, and encouragement are mentioned throughout Proverbs. She has wisdom in managing money and a heart that cares for others. All these qualities, when coupled with a fear of God, will lead to success, honor, and worth. It shows how to become wise, make good decisions, and live according to God’s will.
Bible Verses About the Unity of Husband and Wife
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During Biblical times, Christian men were used to the Roman custom of giving unlimited power to the head of the family. They were not used to treating their wives with love and respect. However, the Bible clearly expressed that men and women are equal (Galatians 3:28). Both have responsibilities to fulfill for each other. A marriage will not become strong and successful when there’s only one person who works for it. The moment they decided to spend the rest of their lives with each other, they commit that they’ll work hand in hand for a strong, happy, and harmonious relationship.
Let these Bible verses about marriage guide us as we become the best person to our spouses with God’s help.
Ecclesiastes 4:9
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
Colossians 3:18-19
Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
Ephesian 5:22-23
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 Savior.
Ephesians 5:33
However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
It is a mutual responsibility to submit and love, to obey and encourage, and to work hard and be fair. The Apostle Paul tells the wives to follow their husbands’ leadership in Jesus Christ willingly. He also tells husbands to love their wives and never treat them harshly. Real spiritual leadership involves service. Like how Jesus displayed this service to his disciples, to the point of washing their feet (John 13). The husband is to serve his wife too. It means putting aside his interest to care for his wife.
Remember, a wise and Christ-honoring husband will not abuse his leadership role. And at the same time, a wise and Christ-honoring wife will not try to undermine her husband’s leadership. Bible verses about marriage help Christians to reflect on our marriages.
Bible Verses About Sexual Immorality
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Honoring marriage requires the utmost Christian conviction and sensitivity. We can witness God’s love for us by keeping our marriages happy and strong. And we should remain faithful in body and mind. God wants us to understand marriage from His perspective. He doesn’t want us to destroy marriage by committing sins such as sexual immorality or adultery. These Bible verses about marriage show how God condemns sins that destroy a marriage.
Hebrews 13:4
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
1 Corinthians 7:2
But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.
One of the fundamentals of a strong and happy marriage is when we remain faithful in body and mind. It is a lifetime commitment between our partners and God.
Matthew 5:27-28
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Sometimes lustful thoughts lead people to do sinful actions. Although sinful actions are more dangerous than sinful thoughts, sinful desires are still harmful. Adultery and other sexual sins destroy marriages. It is also a rebellion against God’s word. If these actions are left unchecked, wrong desires will cause immoral actions. Worse, it turns people away from God.
1 Corinthians 7:5
Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
Marriage provides God’s way to satisfy our natural sexual desires and to strengthen the partners against temptation. Married couples should care for each other. Therefore, husbands and wives should not withhold themselves sexually from one another but should fulfill each other’s needs and desires.
A Marriage Pleasing to God
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Nowadays, the world gives a different meaning to marriage. However, as Christians, we should uphold the real meaning of marriage from God’s word. It is a gift from God. He wants us to nature and cherishes our marriage for a lifetime. Having a strong and happy relationship with our spouses, God’s goal for marriage. Even though our marriages may face difficult and tough times, God will help us get through it. We should make God the center of our relationships. Continue to pray for your marriage and each other. We should also continue to love one another as we grow, mature, and strengthen our marriage. And continue to love and honor God, because we love as he first loved us (1 John 4:19).
FAQs
25 Bible Verses About Marriage For A Happy Relationship | Christian.net? ›
Matthew 19:6
"So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."
Matthew 19:6
"So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."
God has three purposes for marriage: companionship, procreation, and redemption. These purposes are still relevant today and are essential for a healthy society. Let's take a closer look at each one.
What does the Bible say about a happy relationship? ›John 15:12: My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Luke 6:31: Do to others as you would have them do to you. Corinthians 16:14: Do everything in love. Proverbs 17:17: A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
What does God say about marriage and relationship? ›The Bible teaches, “Husbands, love your wives” (Ephesians 5:25) and “teach the young women … to love their husbands” (Titus 2:4). Love in marriage can be deeper and more selfless than in any other relationship. It is this type of love that Jesus expects of His followers, and it is the virtue that couples need the most.
What is God's promise for a happy marriage? ›You Will Have Unity With Your Spouse
But God's promise for your marriage is that you will be unified emotionally, spiritually, and physically. One of the greatest joys of marriage is the feeling of complete intimacy. Being fully known and yet being fully loved for who you are.
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
What are the 7 promises of marriage? ›- Groom: “Om Esha Ekapadi Bhava Iti Prathaman”
- Bride: “Dhanam Dhanyam Pade Vadet”
- Groom: “Om Oorje Jara Dastayaha”
- Bride: “Kutumburn Rakshayishyammi Sa Aravindharam”
- Groom: “Om Rayas Santu Joraa Dastayaha”
- Bride: “Tava Bhakti as Vadedvachacha”
Marriage, according to Christian revelation, is a gift from God that joins a man and woman together so that "the two shall become one flesh," and "what God has joined together, no human being must separate," the pope said, quoting the Gospel of Matthew.
What is God's purpose in marriage? ›God's purpose for marriage is to be a picture of the covenant relationship between Christ and His Bride, the Church. Jesus gave this vow to His Bride… Key principle: Marriage is not to be a contract that needs both parties to hold up their end of the deal—as 1 Corinthians 13:1 says, “…
What are God's promises in a relationship? ›
God's life-changing word overflows with his promises of real love, forgiveness, salvation, peace, hope, and joy for everyone who trusts in his Son, Jesus. These five passages encourage followers of Christ to patiently love one another, because love covers many sins and produces unity and holiness.
What does the Bible say about a strong relationship? ›1 Peter 4:8. "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." The Good News: Love each other honestly and earnestly, even when you hate them most. Forgiveness is key, and then your love will shine brightest in the darkest moments in your relationship.
What Jesus said about marriage? ›In the first, Matthew quotes Jesus as saying: “It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, except on the grounds of porneia (sexual immorality), makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” (Matthew 5:31-32).
How does God want us to be in a marriage? ›God created marriage as a loyal partnership between one man and one woman. Marriage is the firmest foundation for building a family. God designed sexual expression to help married couples build intimacy. Marriage mirrors God's covenant relationship with His people.
Which Psalm is for marriage? ›Settings of Psalms 23, 45, 103, and 128 are certainly appropriate at weddings, as is this metrical paraphrase of Psalm 133, which extols the blessing of unity among God's people.
What Bible verses talk about marriage? ›- 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. ...
- Romans 12:10. Be devoted to one another in love. ...
- Ephesians 5:22-33. ...
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. ...
- Genesis 2:18-24. ...
- Song of Songs 8:6-7. ...
- Colossians 3:14-17. ...
- Ephesians 4:2-3.
A Marriage Blessing
May love and laughter fill your hearts and your home for all at the days of your lives. May you face every challenge hand-in-hand and side-by-side knowing that with God's grace, you'll conquer all obstacles together. May the world be forever a better place because the two of you fell in love.
Marriage is designed to provide practical companionship (see Ecclesiastes 4:9-10) Marriage is designed to shape and refine our character (see Ephesians 5:25-27) Marriage is designed to teach us about Christ's love for his church (see Ephesians 5:32)
What does God say about the blessings of a marriage? ›Matthew 19:6
Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” The Message: The bond of marriage brings two hearts together in ways unseen. Even when we are at our weakest, we can find strength in each other.
- Communicate clearly and often. ...
- Tell your spouse that you're thankful for having him or her in your life. ...
- Make time for you two as a couple. ...
- Plan for some personal time. ...
- Understand that it's OK to disagree. ...
- Build trust. ...
- Learn to forgive.
What is the first promise of marriage? ›
First Vow:
In the first vow, the groom says I will provide welfare and happiness for you and the children that we bear and you shall offer me food and help whenever it is required. In response to this, the bride promises to be responsible for the complete household management.
Wedding Vows
To Bride: Will you please repeat this vow to (Groom), saying after me: I (Bride), take you (Groom), to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, I promise to love and cherish you.
“He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord” (Prov. 18:22). This virtuous woman is a priceless gift from God.
What are the two purposes of marriage? ›“Marriage is more than a physical union; it is also a spiritual and emotional union.” Marriage is the beginning—the beginning of the family—and is a life-long commitment. It also provides an opportunity to grow in selflessness as you serve your wife and children.
Is a wife a gift from God? ›Proverbs 18:22 CEV
A man's greatest treasure is his wife— she is a gift from the LORD.
There are many factors that contribute to a satisfying marriage/relationship such as; Love, Commitment, Trust, Time, Attention, Good Communication including Listening , Partnership, Tolerance, Patience, Openness, Honesty, Respect, Sharing, Consideration, Generosity, Willingness/Ability to Compromise, Constructive ...