Marriage is a universally recognized institution across diverse cultures and religions, with the Bible placing profound importance and value on it. For believers, marriage isn’t just a social custom or legal contract—it is a sacred covenant before God, designed for love, mutual fulfillment, and support. The Bible commands respect for this institution, cultivating its sanctity through various teachings and principles.
What the Bible Portrays about Marriage
Marriage, according to the Bible, is a partnership between two individuals, ideally characterized by love, fidelity, and mutual understanding. The Bible depicts marriage as a divine design for companionship and growth, cherishing the bond of unity that typifies the relationship between Christ and the Church. It underscores the concept that two become one, highlighting the transformative aspect of marriage that compels partners to embody love, patience, and sacrifice.
Where Marriage Holds Significance in the Bible
In the Christian faith, the sanctity of marriage is thoroughly asserted throughout the Bible. From Genesis, where God provides a partner for Adam, to Jesus’ teachings in the New Testament endorsing the holy alliance, marriage holds a distinctive place. Marriage symbolizes harmony, procreation, and mutual support—the essence of human companionship sought by God’s will. It is not just a human institution but a reflection of the divine relationship between Christ and His followers.
Why the Bible Values Fidelity in Marriage
Beneath the umbrella of verses about marriage in the Bible, fidelity is a recurring theme. The Bible deems faithfulness in marriage as a direct offshoot of God’s faithfulness to His creation. It iterates that spouses ought to be loyal to each other, embracing the ideals of truth, trustworthiness, and commitment. This fidelity is not just flesh-deep but emulates the spiritual and emotional commitment between partners, reflecting the stability God wants for humanity.
When the Bible Advocates for Love and Respect in Marriage
The concept of love and respect in marriage permeates both the Old and New Testaments. The Bible’s verses about marriage often underscore the importance of loving one’s spouse just as Christ loved the church, laying down his life for it. This selfless and sacrificial love challenges spouses to prioritize each other’s needs and interests, fostering a relationship built on mutual trust, esteem, and admiration. The Bible thus acknowledges that love, coupled with deep respect, forms the cornerstone for a thriving marital relationship.
Who Benefits from Marriage According to the Bible
The Bible establishes that marriage benefits both spouses in myriad ways — physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Marriage provides partners with companionship, mutual support, and the opportunity for personal and spiritual growth. Moreover, children also benefit, as the Bible envisages a stable and secure marital relationship as the foundation for a healthy family. The societal implications are significant as well, with stable marriages contributing to the overall wellbeing and harmony of communities, thereby fostering a wholesome environment for the growth and development of future generations.
Below is the full list of bible verses on marriage (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Marriage
Genesis 2:24
“24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”
Related Themes: Dating Respecting Your Parents Fidelity Family
Hebrews 13:4
“4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”
Proverbs 18:22
“22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”
2 Corinthians 6:14
“14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”
Ephesians 5:25-33
“25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,27 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.28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”
Proverbs 21:9
“9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.”
1 Peter 3:7
“7 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.”
Related Themes: Dating Respecting Your Parents Benevolence Respect
Proverbs 19:14
“14 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.”
Matthew 19:2-9
“2 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.”
1 Corinthians 7:39
“39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.”
Ephesians 5:25
“25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;”
Genesis 2:18
“18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.”
Related Themes: Dating Loneliness Dating Fidelity
Ephesians 5:33
“33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”
Related Themes: Dating Respecting Your Parents Love Adultery
Proverbs 31:10
“10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.”
Mark 10:8-12
“8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.10 And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter.11 And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.”
Related Themes: Engagement
Genesis 2:20-24
“20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”
1 Peter 3:1-5
“1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:”
Malachi 2:13-16
“13 And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand.14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Tears Abuse Divorce
1 Peter 4:8
“8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”
Related Themes: Love Criticism Dating Friendship
Colossians 3:18-19
“18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.”
Matthew 19:4-6
“4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”
Related Themes: Earth Abomination Fidelity
2 Chronicles 24:2-3
“2 And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.3 And Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he begat sons and daughters.”
Mark 10:6-9
“6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”
Related Themes: Earth Abomination Creativity Family
Mark 10:9
“9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”
Related Themes: Love Engagement
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
“9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.10 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.11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
Related Themes: Teamwork Friendship Working Together Dating
Matthew 19:9
“9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.”
Deuteronomy 24:5
“5 When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business: but he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken.”
Matthew 5:32
“32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.”
Proverbs 12:4
“4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.”
