Bible Verses About Marriage

Marriage is God's sacred design for human companionship, established in Eden as a covenant between one man, one woman, and God. These verses reveal marriage as a reflection of Christ's love for His church.

13 Verses

1. Genesis 2:24

"That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh."
This foundational verse establishes God's divine blueprint for marriage through three essential elements: leaving, cleaving, and becoming one flesh. The Hebrew word for "cleaving" (dabaq) appears 54 times in the Old Testament, meaning to stick fast, cling to, or adhere firmly - describing an inseparable covenantal bond. "One flesh" (basar) represents not merely physical union but complete integration of two lives into one new entity. The analogy suggests that the flesh (rib) taken from Adam returns to create wholeness, emphasizing that marriage restores completeness to both partners through exclusive, permanent unity that reflects God's own covenant faithfulness (Got Questions).

2. Ephesians 5:25

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her"
Paul establishes the highest standard for husbands by paralleling their love with Christ's sacrificial love for the church. The Greek word agapao describes unconditional, selfless love that seeks the beloved's highest good regardless of personal cost or reciprocation. This agape love represents "the ultimate display of sacrificial love" as Christ "gave Himself up for her," requiring husbands to model the same self-sacrificing commitment that led Christ to the cross. This divine pattern calls husbands to spiritual leadership through servant-hearted love that sanctifies and nurtures their wives toward spiritual maturity, reflecting Christ's ongoing work of presenting the church "in all her glory and beauty" (Bible.org).

3. 1 Corinthians 7:3-4

"The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife."
Paul presents a revolutionary teaching on sexual intimacy that emphasizes mutual authority and reciprocal responsibility in marriage. The concept that "the wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband" while equally "the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife" establishes complete equality in sexual rights and obligations. This mutual authority counters both selfish sexual demands and neglectful withdrawal, as "both have equal rights in this regard." Paul's teaching emphasizes giving rather than demanding: "the emphasis is on giving, on 'I owe you' instead of 'you owe me'" within a framework of Christian love that reflects Christ's self-sacrificing service (BibleHub Commentaries).

4. Proverbs 18:22

"He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord."
This proverb elevates marriage as divine blessing using the Hebrew word tov (good), the same term God used to declare His creation "good" in Genesis 1. The Hebrew text literally reads "find a wife find a good" (omitting "thing"), suggesting that a godly wife herself embodies goodness. The word tov means "to be in harmony," indicating that finding a wife brings one into harmony with God's design and favor. The Hebrew word for wife, ishah, carries rich meaning as "one who nourishes, who creates, one who withstands and a supporting pillar." This verse presents marriage not as burden but as "singular blessing" obtained through "God's good providence," countering negative cultural attitudes toward marriage (Chaim Bentorah).

5. 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."
The writer combats both cultural devaluation of marriage and false asceticism by affirming marriage as honorable and the marriage bed as undefiled. "Marriage bed" represents sexual intimacy within marriage as God's sacred gift, pure and blessed when enjoyed exclusively between husband and wife. The text declares that "sexual pleasure in the exclusive context of marriage between that man and that woman is God's gift to the married couple" with "no shame" in covenant partners enjoying each other as God created. However, sexual activity outside marriage's bounds - including premarital sex, adultery, homosexuality, prostitution, and pornography - defiles marriage and brings divine judgment. This passage establishes marriage as God's sacred institution where sexuality finds its proper, blessed expression (Got Questions).

6. 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."
Solomon presents a profound paradox: amid life's ultimate meaninglessness "under the sun," marital love remains a genuine source of joy and purpose. The Hebrew phrase "days of your vanity" (hevel) acknowledges life's brevity and futility, yet Solomon counsels embracing legitimate pleasure in marriage as divine gift. The wife "whom you love" represents God's reward for earthly toil - "the wife God gives you is your reward for all your earthly toil." This wisdom doesn't deny life's vanity but finds meaning within it through covenantal love. Marriage becomes a divine provision that offers genuine gladness and companionship during our brief earthly sojourn, showing that even in a fallen world, God provides good gifts for human flourishing and joy (BibleHub Commentaries).

7. 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."
Peter's instruction revolutionizes marriage by demanding husbands live with wives "in an understanding way" - showing "judgment, moderation and gentleness as toward one weaker than himself." The term "weaker vessel" (Greek: asthenesterō) most likely refers to physical differences, not spiritual, moral, or intellectual inferiority. The revolutionary truth follows: wives are "heirs with you of the grace of life" - equal spiritual partners in God's kingdom. This teaching of wives as "equal, co-heirs of God's grace through faith in Christ, was revolutionary" in first-century culture. The warning that mistreating wives hinders prayer demonstrates that "horizontal relationships impact vertical relationship with God" - marital harmony directly affects spiritual life and divine communion (Got Questions).

8. Song of Solomon 8:7

"Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one's house for love, it would be utterly scorned."
This climactic declaration in Song of Solomon celebrates love's invincible, eternal nature through powerful imagery of elemental forces. "Many waters" and "floods" represent life's most overwhelming challenges - persecution, suffering, separation, or tragedy - yet true covenantal love proves indestructible against all external pressures. The metaphor emphasizes that authentic marital love possesses divine strength that transcends circumstances. The second half reveals love's priceless nature: "If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house, he would be utterly despised." True love cannot be purchased, manipulated, or manufactured through material means - it represents a sacred gift that surpasses all earthly treasures. This verse establishes love as possessing both divine invincibility and infinite worth, reflecting God's own eternal, unconquerable love for His people (Bible Hub Commentary).

9. Malachi 2:14

"You ask, "Why?" It is because the Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant."
Through the prophet Malachi, God confronts casual divorce by revealing marriage's true nature as a three-party covenant involving husband, wife, and God as witness. The phrase "wife of your youth" emphasizes the enduring, lifelong nature of marriage commitment made in younger years when hopes and promises seemed eternal. God's description of divorce as "treacherous" (Hebrew: bagad) means acting faithlessly or betraying trust - the same word used for Israel's unfaithfulness to God. The parallel is intentional: breaking marriage vows constitutes betrayal of both human partnership and divine covenant. God's hatred of divorce stems not from legalism but from His heart for covenant faithfulness and the damage done when sacred promises are broken. This verse establishes marriage as more than human contract - it's a sacred covenant with eternal implications that reflects God's own faithful character (Bible Hub Commentary).

10. Colossians 3:19

"Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them."
Paul's concise command encompasses both active love and protective boundaries for marital harmony. The positive command "love your wives" (Greek: agapao) demands the same selfless, sacrificial love commanded elsewhere, while the negative prohibition "do not be harsh" (Greek: pikraino) warns against bitterness, resentment, or sharp treatment that wounds the spirit. The word pikraino suggests ongoing irritation or accumulated resentment that embitters the relationship and creates emotional distance. Christian husbands must cultivate both passionate love and gentle restraint, avoiding the harsh criticism, angry words, or bitter attitudes that destroy marital intimacy and trust. This balanced approach reflects Christ's own character - powerfully loving yet never harsh or bitter toward His bride, the church. Paul's brevity emphasizes the fundamental nature of this principle for successful Christian marriage (Bible Hub Commentary).

11. Genesis 2:24

"That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh."
The foundational verse establishing God's design for marriage through three essential actions: leaving, cleaving, and becoming one flesh. "Leave" (azab) means to abandon or forsake, requiring psychological and emotional separation from parents to establish new primary loyalty. "Cleave" (dabaq) means to cling, stick to, or be joined together - the same word used for Ruth's devotion to Naomi and Israel's faithfulness to God. "One flesh" (basar echad) describes profound unity - physical, emotional, and spiritual merger creating new identity. Jesus quotes this passage in Matthew 19:5 as God's original intent, while Paul references it in Ephesians 5:31 as the foundation for Christ and the church. This divine blueprint predates Moses' law and transcends cultural boundaries, establishing marriage as God's first institution for human companionship and spiritual symbolism (BibleHub Commentaries).

12. Proverbs 31:10-12

"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life."
King Lemuel's mother's description of the ideal wife begins this famous acrostic poem celebrating excellent womanhood. "Noble character" (chayil) is the same Hebrew word used for mighty warriors, emphasizing strength, capability, and excellence. The comparison to rubies indicates incalculable worth - precious gems were among the most valuable possessions in ancient times. The husband's "full confidence" (batach) reveals complete trust in her wisdom, integrity, and commitment. Her consistent goodness "all the days of her life" emphasizes lifelong faithfulness through every season of marriage. This isn't describing perfection but excellence of character that makes her a treasured partner. The passage celebrates wives who combine spiritual virtue with practical capability, bringing honor to their husbands and stability to their households (BibleHub Commentaries).

13. 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."
Peter's revolutionary instruction demands husbands treat wives with understanding, honor, and equality despite cultural norms that viewed women as property. "Understanding way" (kata gnosin) means with knowledge, wisdom, and insight into her needs, feelings, and perspectives. "Weaker vessel" likely refers to physical differences, not intellectual, spiritual, or moral inferiority. The radical declaration follows: wives are "co-heirs of the grace of life" - equal partners in God's kingdom and eternal salvation. This teaching elevated women's status dramatically in first-century society. The warning about hindered prayers shows that mistreating wives damages relationship with God - marital harmony directly affects spiritual life. God refuses to hear prayers from men who dishonor their wives, making respect for wives a prerequisite for effective prayer life (BibleHub Commentaries).

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