What Does the Bible Say About Marriage?

Written By Mary Carter

Mary holds a degree in theology and she has a deep understanding of biblical texts. She works as an elementary school teacher in Alabama.

Marriage, according to the Bible, is a sacred union, a covenant between a man and a woman under the auspices of God. It’s not just a contractual agreement or a social arrangement but a divine institution established by God for companionship, procreation, and mutual support. The Bible illustrates marriage as a reflection of the relationship between Jesus and the Church, emphasizing love, respect, and commitment. It advises couples to love unconditionally, just as Jesus loves us, to forgive and to place the other before oneself.

The essence of marriage is deep-rooted in God’s word, shedding light on its significance and sanctity.

Eager to unlock more heavenly wisdom on marriage? Dive into the details below, and let’s explore what’s written in the scriptures together!

What Does the Bible Say About Marriage?

Marriage in the Bible is multifaceted and filled with rich symbolism, revealing God’s view on this divine union. From the Old to the New Testament, scriptures illustrate marriage as a holy union, created by God, highlighting its crucial role in humanity’s moral and spiritual development.

In the beginning, God created Adam and then made Eve as a suitable helper for him, establishing the foundation of marriage. This union is not to be entered into lightly, as it’s seen as a covenant, a solemn vow made before God.

The New Testament continues to unfold the depths of marriage, comparing it to Christ’s relationship with the Church. It’s a profound mystery, with husbands called to love their wives as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her. Wives, in turn, are encouraged to respect their husbands, forming a harmonious partnership.

Additionally, the Bible offers guidance on marital duties and responsibilities, focusing on love, respect, fidelity, and mutual support. It addresses the challenges couples may face, providing solutions grounded in love and understanding. For instance, it encourages reconciliation and warns against the hardness of heart that can lead to sin, such as adultery.

The concept of marriage also goes beyond mere companionship. It’s intertwined with God’s plan for procreation, blessing couples with children and entrusting them to raise their offspring in the knowledge and fear of the Lord.

God values the sanctity of marriage immensely. It’s allowed and ordained by Him as a means to experience the joys of unconditional love, a reflection of His love for humanity. He desires marriages to be strong, loving, and resilient, rooted in His principles, allowing couples to grow spiritually and morally.

Bible Verses About Marriage

  1. 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 verse establishes the foundational principle of marriage, emphasizing unity and oneness, a divine intertwining of two lives. It illustrates the importance of leaving the parental nest and cleaving to one’s spouse, signifying a new beginning under God’s covenant.
  2. Ephesians 5:25 “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
    • This New Testament verse stresses the sacrificial love a husband should have for his wife, mirroring Jesus’s love and sacrifice for the Church. It underscores the depth of commitment and selflessness required in marriage.
  3. Proverbs 31:10 “An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.”
    • This proverb celebrates the value of a virtuous wife, likening her worth to precious jewels. It calls attention to the significance of virtue and righteousness in a spouse, crucial components for a prosperous marriage.
  4. 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 “Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband… Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”
    • This verse from Corinthians elaborates on the mutual duties and responsibilities within marriage, focusing on the importance of affection and intimacy. It also emphasizes spiritual growth and cautions against neglecting one another, to avoid falling into temptation.
  5. Mark 10:9 “Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
    • Mark, in this verse, stresses the permanence of the marital bond, emphasizing that it is God who joins a man and a woman in marriage. It serves as a reminder of the sacredness of the marital union and the importance of preserving it.
  6. Colossians 3:18-19 “Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.”
    • Here, the apostle Paul is guiding couples to live in harmony, highlighting the need for mutual respect and love. It encourages wives to honor their husbands and husbands to love their wives without harshness, fostering a balanced and loving relationship.
  7. Hebrews 13:4 “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”
    • This verse from Hebrews enunciates the honor that should be accorded to marriage. It admonishes against defiling the marriage bed and warns that God will judge those who partake in sexual immorality and adultery, underscoring the need for purity and faithfulness within marriage.
  8. 1 Peter 3:7 “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.”
    • Peter, in this epistle, addresses husbands, urging them to live with their wives in understanding and honor. It recognizes women as equal heirs in the grace of life and emphasizes that harmony in marriage aligns with effective prayers.
  9. Matthew 19:6 “So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”
    • Reiterating the message from Mark, this verse in Matthew emphasizes the unity in marriage, symbolizing the merging of two into one. It accentuates the divine nature of the marital bond and the imperative of maintaining the union God has established.
  10. Proverbs 18:22 “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.”
    • This proverb expresses the blessing and favor that accompany finding a wife. It illustrates marriage as a source of divine favor and goodness, emphasizing its value and importance in one’s life.
  11. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 “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.”
    • Solomon, in this verse, reflects on the advantages of companionship, portraying marriage as a partnership where each can support the other. It showcases the value of having a companion to share in life’s journey, especially during challenging times, highlighting the strength found in unity.
  12. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
    • This verse from Corinthians is often associated with marriage due to its profound description of love. It outlines the qualities of true love that should be present in a marriage—patience, kindness, humility, truthfulness, protection, trust, hope, and perseverance—ensuring a lasting and fulfilling relationship.
  13. Ephesians 5:33 “However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”
    • Paul, in Ephesians, simplifies the mutual expectations within marriage to love and respect. It encapsulates the essence of a harmonious marital relationship where the husband’s love is met with the wife’s respect, creating a balanced and flourishing union.
  14. Genesis 1:27-28 “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.’”
    • These verses in Genesis convey the divine origin of humanity and the blessing of procreation bestowed upon man and woman. They emphasize the sacred responsibility entrusted to couples to multiply and steward the earth, aligning with God’s creative purpose.
  15. Colossians 3:14 “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
    • In this message to the Colossians, Paul portrays love as the ultimate virtue, the glue that binds every good quality together. It implies that love is the foundational element in a marriage, enabling couples to live in perfect harmony, reflecting God’s design for marital bliss.
  16. Malachi 2:14-15 “The Lord is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because she is your companion and the wife of your covenant. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. So be careful with your spirit, and do not break faith.”
    • Through the prophet Malachi, God reminds couples of the covenantal aspect of marriage. It underscores the importance of faithfulness and the divine intention of raising godly offspring, emphasizing the spiritual dimension of marriage and the responsibilities it entails.
  17. 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 “To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.”
    • Paul relays God’s command regarding the indissolubility of marriage in this verse, affirming the permanence of the marital union and encouraging reconciliation over separation. It stresses the importance of resolving differences and maintaining the unity established by God.
  18. Romans 12:10 “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
    • This counsel from Romans exhorts couples to be devoted in love and to honor each other above themselves. It sets the tone for a selfless and honoring relationship, fostering mutual respect and enduring love in marriage.
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Reflecting on these verses, it’s evident that marriage is a divine institution, deeply valued and purposefully designed by God. It serves as a vessel for love, companionship, procreation, and spiritual growth, reflecting the multifaceted wisdom of God. In the realm of the sacred covenant of marriage, couples are invited to experience and exemplify Jesus’s unconditional love, portraying a glimpse of the heavenly relationship between Christ and the Church, all while navigating the journey of life together under God’s benevolent gaze.