Bible verses for all occasions.
Marriage is a sacred institution that is mentioned and celebrated throughout the Bible. It is a union between a man and a woman that is ordained by God and designed to reflect His love for His people. In the Bible, we can find numerous verses that provide guidance, wisdom, and encouragement for those seeking to honor God in their marriages. These verses offer insights into the purpose of marriage, the roles of husbands and wives, and the importance of love and commitment in a marital relationship.
Ephesians 5:22-33
“Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do 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 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church—for we are members of his body. ‘For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”
In this passage from the book of Ephesians, the apostle Paul provides instructions for both husbands and wives. He emphasizes the concept of mutual submission, where wives are called to submit to their husbands, and husbands are called to sacrificially love their wives. This verse highlights the parallel between the relationship of Christ and the church and the relationship between husbands and wives. Just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, husbands are called to love their wives selflessly and sacrificially. Wives, on the other hand, are called to respect and submit to their husbands as the church submits to Christ.
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.”
This verse stresses the importance of mutual sexual fulfillment and intimacy within a marriage. It reminds husbands and wives that they have a responsibility to meet each other’s sexual needs and that their bodies belong to one another. This verse promotes the idea of selflessness and mutual care in the context of physical intimacy, fostering a healthy and fulfilling sexual relationship within the bounds of marriage.
Proverbs 18:22
“He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.”
This verse highlights the blessing of finding a spouse. It emphasizes the positive impact a wife can have on her husband’s life and the favor that comes from God when one enters into a marital relationship. Marriage is viewed as a gift from God, and finding a life partner is seen as a source of joy and favor.
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.”
This verse addresses husbands directly, urging them to treat their wives with consideration, respect, and honor. It recognizes the equal worth and value of both husbands and wives as joint heirs of the gift of life. Husbands are called to be understanding and compassionate towards their wives, recognizing and valuing their God-given role as partners in marriage. It also highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy relationship with one’s spouse to ensure unhindered communication with God through prayer.
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 references the creation account in this passage to affirm the divine design and purpose of marriage. He emphasizes that marriage is a lifelong commitment, where two individuals become one flesh through the union sanctioned by God. This verse underscores the sanctity of marriage and discourages divorce or any attempt to separate what God has joined together.
Genesis 2:24
“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”
In this verse, we find the establishment of the marital bond between a man and a woman. It emphasizes the leaving of one’s parents and the cleaving to one’s spouse, signifying the priority and exclusivity of the marital relationship. The phrase “one flesh” signifies the deep union and intimacy that marriage brings, both physically and emotionally.
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.”
This verse echoes the apostle Paul’s call for mutual submission and love within marriage. Wives are encouraged to submit to their husbands, recognizing that this submission is fitting in the context of a Christ-centered relationship. Husbands are called to love their wives and avoid any harshness or mistreatment. This verse emphasizes the importance of mutual respect and kindness in a marital relationship.
Proverbs 31:10
“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.”
This verse celebrates the qualities of a virtuous and capable wife, highlighting the immense value she brings to her marriage and family. It emphasizes the importance of character and integrity in a wife, recognizing her worth as priceless and beyond material possessions. This verse encourages husbands to cherish and honor their wives, recognizing their immeasurable value.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
“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. Love never fails.”
Often referred to as the “Love Chapter,” this passage from Corinthians provides a beautiful description of the characteristics of love. It serves as a guide for couples in understanding and practicing love within their marriages. Love is described as patient, kind, selfless, forgiving, and enduring. It highlights the importance of love as the foundation of a healthy and thriving 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 emphasizes the sanctity of marriage and the importance of fidelity and purity within the marital relationship. It calls for the honor and respect of marriage and warns against infidelity or immoral sexual behavior. It reminds couples of the accountability they have before God in upholding the sacredness of their marriage.
The Bible provides a rich source of wisdom, guidance, and encouragement for those seeking to build and nurture a God-honoring marriage. These verses illuminate the purpose of marriage, the roles of husbands and wives, the importance of love and mutual respect, and the sanctity of the marital bond. By studying and applying these verses to our lives, we can cultivate strong, fulfilling, and lasting marriages that bring glory to God.
