In the Bible, marriage is seen as a sacred union, a covenant blessed by God. It’s about more than just love and companionship; it’s a spiritual bond that reflects God’s commitment to humanity. The Bible encourages marriage as a way to build a stable and loving family unit, always putting God at the center. It’s a relationship where both partners are called to love, respect, and support each other, mirroring the love of Jesus. Marriage is not mandatory, but it’s definitely honored and respected within the Christian faith.
What Does the Bible Say About Getting Married?
Marriage, as seen in the Bible, is a profound and sacred institution. It’s not just a social contract; it’s a covenant made before God. This covenant reflects the relationship between Christ and the church, emphasizing unconditional love, mutual respect, and a lifelong commitment.
From the very beginning, the Bible highlights the significance of companionship. It’s not good to be alone, the Bible says. Marriage is seen as a solution to loneliness, providing a partner to share life’s journey. It’s about finding someone who complements you, helping you grow in your faith and as a person.
But, the Bible also recognizes that marriage isn’t for everyone. Jesus and Paul, both prominent figures in the New Testament, were single. They show that singleness is also a calling and can be a fulfilling way to serve God. The Bible respects both paths, leaving the choice to marry or remain single up to the individual.
In a marriage, partners are urged to love each other selflessly. This love isn’t just an emotion; it’s an action, mirroring the love Jesus showed. Wives and husbands are called to support and honor each other, creating a partnership that strengthens their faith.
The Bible doesn’t shy away from the challenges of marriage. It talks openly about the need for forgiveness, patience, and understanding. Marriage, in God’s view, is a journey that involves growing together, overcoming difficulties, and nurturing a family in faith.
Sexuality within marriage is celebrated in the Bible. It’s seen as a gift from God, meant to be enjoyed within the boundaries of marriage. This reflects a broader principle of faithfulness and commitment, central to the idea of a marital covenant.
Bible Verses About Getting Married
- Genesis 2:24 – “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” This foundational verse sets the stage for the Biblical understanding of marriage as a union that creates a new, independent family unit.
- Ephesians 5:25-33 – “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her… each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” This passage highlights the reciprocal love and respect required in a marriage, drawing a parallel with Christ’s love for the church.
- 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.” Here, Paul addresses the importance of faithfulness and the exclusive nature of the marital relationship.
- Proverbs 18:22 – “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.” This verse celebrates marriage as a blessing from God, emphasizing the value of a loving spouse.
- Mark 10:6-9 – “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’… Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Jesus’ words here affirm the divine sanction of marriage and the intended permanence of the marital bond.
- 1 Corinthians 7:8-9 – “Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.” Paul acknowledges that marriage isn’t mandatory but is a good and honorable choice, especially for those who desire a marital relationship.
- 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.” This verse underscores the sanctity of marriage, including sexual faithfulness between spouses.
- Proverbs 31:10-11 – “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.” This famous passage praises the virtues of a good wife, highlighting the value and strength she brings to a marriage.
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – “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… A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” This passage speaks to the strength and support found in a marital partnership, with the third strand often interpreted as God, central to the relationship.
- 1 Peter 3:1-7 – “Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands… 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.” This verse highlights mutual respect and understanding within marriage, acknowledging the equal value of both partners in God’s eyes.
- 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.” Jesus reiterates the sacredness of marriage, emphasizing its divine origin and the inseparable bond it creates.
- Proverbs 19:14 – “Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.” This verse speaks to the invaluable contribution of a wise and discerning spouse in a marriage, seen as a direct blessing from God.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud… It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” Although not exclusively about marriage, this famous passage from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians is often applied to the marital relationship, describing the qualities of true, enduring love.
- Song of Solomon 8:6-7 – “Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away.” From the poetic book celebrating love and marriage, these verses extol the power and intensity of love, a central theme in the marital relationship.
- Malachi 2:15 – “Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.” This verse underscores the spiritual aspect of marriage, emphasizing faithfulness and the purpose of raising a family in faith.
Through these verses, the Bible paints a comprehensive picture of marriage. It’s a union blessed by God, built on love, respect, and faithfulness. Marriage is a journey of growth, challenges, and joy. It’s a partnership that enhances one’s ability to serve God and others, making it a vital and revered institution in Christian life. Whether married or single, each path is honored in the Bible, with each individual called to live out their faith in the way that best aligns with God’s plan for their life.