Bible Verses About Marriage

King James Version · 15 passages

Marriage was God's idea before it was anyone's tradition. From the garden onward, Scripture treats the union of husband and wife as a covenant — one flesh, not a contract of convenience — and a living picture of Christ and His church. These passages speak to love, faithfulness, and the daily laying down of self that makes a marriage hold.

Ephesians 5:25–28

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.

See also: 1 Peter 3:7 · Colossians 3:19 · Ephesians 5:28 · Hebrews 10:22

Ephesians 5:31–33

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.

See also: Genesis 2:24 · Matthew 19:5 · Mark 10:7 · 1 Peter 3:2

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.

See also: Genesis 2:21 · Genesis 2:23 · Genesis 1:27 · 1 Corinthians 7:4

1 Corinthians 7:3–5

3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. 4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. 5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

See also: 1 Peter 3:7 · Exodus 21:10 · Exodus 19:15 · Matthew 19:9

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.

See also: Genesis 1:27 · Genesis 2:24 · Ephesians 5:28 · Matthew 19:5

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.

See also: Proverbs 27:17 · Genesis 2:18 · 1 Corinthians 12:18 · Numbers 11:14

Song of Solomon 8:6–7

6 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. cruel: Heb. hard 7 Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.

See also: Revelation 12:11 · Isaiah 49:16 · Proverbs 6:35 · Philippians 1:20

Malachi 2:14–16

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. residue: or, excellency godly...: Heb. seed of God treacherously: or, unfaithfully 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. that he...: or, if he hate her, put her away putting...: Heb. to put away

See also: Matthew 19:3 · Malachi 2:15 · Matthew 19:4 · Malachi 2:14