Bible Verses About Marriage

“The LORD God also said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper.” And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and He brought them to the man to see what he would name each one. And whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all the livestock, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep, and while he slept, He took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the area with flesh. And from the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man, He made a woman and brought her to him. And the man said: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for out of man she was taken.” For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.”

From the beginning God says it is not good for the man to be alone, and the account describes two people becoming one household. It roots marriage in companionship and leaving one's family to build a new one.

“However, from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘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 man not separate.””

Jesus points back to creation to explain that marriage is a union God joins together. He treats it with weight and dignity, not as a casual arrangement.

“He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.”

This proverb says that finding a spouse is finding something good, a sign of God's favor. It celebrates the gift instead of the pressure to find a perfect partner.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up! Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? And though one may be overpowered, two can resist. Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

The Teacher argues that two are better than one because they lift each other up, keep each other warm and defend each other. It is a practical picture of what partnership offers.

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your husbands as 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. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her”

Paul begins with mutual submission out of reverence for Christ, then calls husbands to love their wives with the self-giving of Christ for the church. Christians read the wider passage in different ways, but it is clear that love is meant to be sacrificial on both sides.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

Paul lists what love actually looks like: patient, kind, not proud, not keeping score. It works well as a checklist for oneself, more than as a critique of one's spouse.

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.”

Paul urges believers to put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, with forgiveness and love binding it together. These are everyday virtues that a household needs.

“Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.”

Peter tells husbands to live with their wives with understanding and honor, since they share equally in God's gift of life. Respect for one another is tied directly to a healthy prayer life.

“Set me as a seal over your heart, as a seal upon your arm. For love is as strong as death, its jealousy as unrelenting as Sheol. Its sparks are fiery flames, the fiercest blaze of all. Mighty waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If a man were to give all the wealth of his house for love, his offer would be utterly scorned.”

The poet describes love as strong and lasting, something money cannot buy. It celebrates committed romantic love as a deep and good part of God's creation.

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

A soft answer cools an argument while a harsh word inflames it, says the proverb. It is useful in the moment right before a quarrel escalates.

““Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger, and do not give the devil a foothold.”

Paul admits that anger happens and warns against letting it settle overnight and open the door to harm. It encourages talking things through soon, with care.

“Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

Peter says that deep love covers many offenses, meaning it is willing to forgive and not broadcast a partner's failures. It does not excuse abuse, but it does make room for grace.

“Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Paul asks believers to carry one another's burdens, which includes spouses carrying each other. It also invites couples to let trusted friends, a pastor or a counselor help carry the load.