Bible Verses About Marriage
What the Bible says about marriage, love between spouses, and commitment.
Marriage in the Bible is a covenant, not merely a contract, a lifelong joining of a man and a woman designed by God from the beginning. It is meant to picture something larger than itself: the faithful, self-giving love between Christ and His people.
These verses describe what marriage is, how husband and wife are to love and honour one another, and where the strength for that love is found. They set a high calling and point to the One who makes it possible.
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
The pattern from the start: a man and woman leave, cleave, and become one flesh.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her.
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
What God has joined together, let no one separate; marriage is His work, not only ours.
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
The famous description of love is the daily job description of marriage: patient, kind, not self-seeking, enduring.
Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favour from the Lord.
Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
Marriage is to be held in honour by all, and the marriage bed kept pure.
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
A mutual calling: wives to support their husbands, husbands to love their wives and not be harsh.
Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
Two are better than one, and a cord of three strands is not quickly broken, with God woven in.
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Husbands are to live with their wives in understanding and honour, so that their prayers are not hindered.
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
A faithful spouse is more precious than jewels, fully trusted by the other.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
Living it out
Marriage thrives when each spouse aims at the other's good rather than their own. Read 1 Corinthians 13 as a checklist for the week, asking where patience, kindness, or selflessness needs to grow.
Above all, draw on Christ, whose self-giving love is the pattern and the supply. Make the marriage a cord of three strands by praying together and inviting God into it.
Questions for reflection
- Which mark of love in 1 Corinthians 13 most needs to grow in your marriage?
- Are you aiming more at being understood or at understanding and honouring your spouse?
- How could you invite God more deliberately into your marriage this week?