Marriage is a beautiful and sacred institution that has been established by God. It is more than just a social or cultural tradition; it is a divine covenant between a man and a woman. The Bible provides us with wisdom, guidance, and inspiration when it comes to marriage. From understanding God’s design for marriage to the roles of husband and wife, the scriptures offer profound insights that can help us navigate the complexities of this vital relationship.
In this article, we will explore 21 key scriptures on getting married. These verses will guide individuals who are considering marriage, those already married, and anyone looking to understand God’s plan for this important aspect of life.
Why Is Marriage Important in Christianity?
Before diving into the scriptures, it’s essential to understand why marriage is so significant from a Christian perspective. The Bible teaches that marriage was established by God at the beginning of creation. In the book of Genesis, God created man and woman to complement each other and reflect His image. Marriage is intended to be a union based on love, respect, and mutual support.
Marriage is also a reflection of Christ’s relationship with the Church. In Ephesians 5, Paul describes the relationship between husband and wife as one of sacrificial love, where the husband is called to love his wife as Christ loves the Church, and the wife is called to respect her husband.
Through the scriptures, we can gain insight into how to build a marriage that honors God and fulfills His purpose for our lives.
1. Genesis 2:24 – The First Institution of Marriage
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
Genesis 2:24 is the first mention of marriage in the Bible. It reveals God’s original design for marriage — a lifelong union between a man and a woman. This scripture teaches that marriage involves leaving behind one’s parents and forming a new family unit. The two become “one flesh,” symbolizing a deep, intimate bond that transcends any other human relationship.
2. Ephesians 5:22-33 – The Roles of Husband and Wife
“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior… Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…”
In this passage, Paul outlines the mutual roles in marriage: the wife is called to respect and submit to her husband, and the husband is called to sacrificially love his wife. The example of Christ’s love for the church is the standard for the husband’s love — a love that is selfless and sacrificial. This scripture highlights the importance of mutual respect and love in a marriage.
3. 1 Corinthians 7:2-3 – Marital Faithfulness
“But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband.”
Marriage is meant to be a faithful and exclusive relationship. This passage underscores the importance of mutual commitment and sexual faithfulness between a husband and wife. In marriage, each partner has a responsibility to meet the physical and emotional needs of the other.
4. Proverbs 18:22 – A Good Wife
“He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.”
This verse teaches that a wife is a precious gift from God. Finding a good wife is considered a blessing and a sign of favor from the Lord. It highlights the importance of choosing a godly spouse and the significance of marriage as a gift.
5. Matthew 19:4-6 – The Sanctity of Marriage
“He answered, ‘Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?” So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.'”
In this passage, Jesus reaffirms the divine institution of marriage. He quotes Genesis 2:24 and emphasizes that marriage is a sacred bond, created and ordained by God. It is meant to be permanent, and no one should separate what God has joined together.
6. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – The Love in Marriage
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
This passage from 1 Corinthians is often read at weddings because it beautifully describes the qualities of love that should characterize any marriage. A healthy marriage is built on love that is patient, kind, humble, and enduring.
7. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – Partnership in Marriage
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!”
Marriage is meant to be a partnership where both individuals support and help one another. This scripture reminds us that life is easier when we have someone to share it with. A spouse can help in times of need, and together, a couple can accomplish more than they could alone.
8. Genesis 1:27-28 – The Creation of Man and Woman
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it…'”
This passage reminds us that both man and woman were created in God’s image. The command to “be fruitful and multiply” highlights the importance of marriage in God’s plan for procreation and filling the earth with His image-bearers.
9. Song of Solomon 2:16 – Romantic Love
“My beloved is mine, and I am his…”
The Song of Solomon is a poetic book in the Bible that celebrates romantic love between a husband and wife. This verse speaks to the mutual affection and devotion that should characterize a marriage. It underscores the deep emotional bond that exists between a husband and wife.
10. 1 Peter 3:7 – Honor Your Wife
“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.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of treating one’s wife with understanding and honor. Husbands are called to recognize the value of their wives and treat them with dignity. This attitude of respect fosters a healthy, loving marriage.
11. Hebrews 13:4 – Marriage is Honorable
“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”
Marriage is sacred in God’s eyes, and it should be treated with the utmost respect and reverence. This verse warns against adultery and sexual immorality, underscoring the importance of maintaining purity and faithfulness within marriage.
12. Colossians 3:18-19 – The Relationship Between Husband and Wife
“Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.”
This passage echoes the teachings in Ephesians 5, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and love. Wives are called to submit to their husbands, and husbands are called to love their wives gently, without harshness. These principles create harmony and peace in the marriage relationship.
13. Titus 2:4-5 – Women’s Role in Marriage
“…and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.”
This passage teaches the importance of a wife loving and supporting her husband. It calls women to be wise, kind, and self-controlled, which are essential qualities for a successful marriage. The way a woman handles her role in marriage is a reflection of her love for God.
14. Proverbs 31:10-12 – A Wife of Noble Character
“An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.”
The Proverbs 31 woman is an example of godly wisdom, hard work, and faithfulness in marriage. This passage encourages women to develop the kind of character that makes them a blessing to their husbands and families.
15. Matthew 5:32 – Commitment in Marriage
“But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
In this verse, Jesus teaches the importance of commitment in marriage. Divorce is not part of God’s plan for marriage unless there is a serious breach, such as sexual immorality. Marriage should be a permanent bond, reflecting God’s covenant with His people.
16. Romans 12:10 – Love in Marriage
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”
This verse teaches us to practice love and honor in all our relationships, especially in marriage. Showing respect and affection helps build a strong foundation for a lasting, fulfilling marriage.
17. Malachi 2:14-15 – Faithfulness in Marriage
“…But you say, ‘Why does he not?’ Because the Lord was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.”
This scripture emphasizes the covenant nature of marriage and calls individuals to be faithful to their spouse. It underscores the importance of honoring the vows made before God in marriage.
18. Romans 7:2-3 – The Permanence of Marriage
“For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive.”
This passage highlights the permanence of marriage. As long as both spouses are alive, they are bound to each other. It teaches the seriousness and commitment required in marriage.
19. 1 Timothy 3:2-5 – A Good Marriage as a Foundation for Leadership
“Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach…”
Here, Paul explains the importance of marital faithfulness and integrity for those in leadership. A good marriage is essential for personal character and spiritual leadership.
20. Proverbs 5:18-19 – Rejoicing in Marriage
“Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.”
This scripture speaks to the joy and pleasure found in a faithful, loving marriage. It encourages couples to cherish and enjoy the physical and emotional intimacy that marriage provides.
21. 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 – Commitment to Marriage
“To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.”
This passage emphasizes the importance of staying committed to the marriage covenant, even in difficult times. Divorce is discouraged, and reconciliation is encouraged where possible.
Conclusion
Marriage, according to the Bible, is a sacred covenant designed by God. The scriptures provide clear guidance for how to build strong, healthy, and loving marriages. From mutual respect and sacrificial love to commitment and faithfulness, God’s Word offers wisdom for every aspect of marital life. Whether you are preparing for marriage or already married, these 21 scriptures can help you understand and embrace God’s vision for this beautiful institution. Let the teachings of the Bible guide you toward a marriage that honors God and reflects His love.
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