Marriage is a beautiful institution created by God Himself. It’s a union between two people who love and cherish each other through thick and thin. The Bible has a lot to say about love and marriage, and in this post, we’ll explore some of the most beautiful Bible verses about love and marriage.
What Does the Bible Say About Love?
The Bible says that love is the greatest commandment of all.
In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”
- 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.
- 1 John 4:16: God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
- 1 John 4:19: We love because he first loved us.
- Colossians 3:14: And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
- 1 Corinthians 16:14: Do everything in love.
- Proverbs 10:12: Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.
- John 15:13: Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
- 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. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned.
- 1 Peter 4:8: Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
- 1 Corinthians 13:13: And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Bible Verses About the Power of Love
- 1 Corinthians 13:2: If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
- Ephesians 3:17-19: So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
- Galatians 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control; against such things there is no law.
- Philippians 2:2: Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
Love is not just a feeling, but a choice we make every day. It’s a decision to put others first and to show kindness, compassion, and care to those around us.
What Does the Bible Say About Marriage?
God’s Plan for Marriage
The Bible says that marriage is a union between one man and one woman, created by God Himself.
- Genesis 2:18: And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
- Genesis 2:24: Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
- 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’?
Marriage beautifully illustrates God’s love for us, and we should cherish and nurture this relationship.
Bible Verses About Love and Marriage
- Ephesians 5:28-33: In the same way, husbands should 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.”
- 1 Corinthians 7:3-5: 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. Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
- 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. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
How Should a Husband Treat His Wife?
- Ephesians 5:25: Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
- Ephesians 5:33: However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
- Colossians 3:19: Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
- Ephesians 5:28-29: So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church.
- 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.
What Are the Biblical Expectations for a Wife?
- Titus 2:4: Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children.
- 1 Peter 3:1: Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives.
- Colossians 3:18: Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
- Proverbs 31:10-12: Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
Bible Verses About Relationships
- 1 Corinthians 7:39: A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.
- Ruth 1:16-17: But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”
- Psalm 127:3-5: Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.
Bible Verses About the Commitment of Marriage
- Matthew 19:6: “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
- 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.
- 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.
- Malachi 2:14-15: You ask, “Why?” It is because the Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant. 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.
Marriage: A Lifelong Commitment to Love
These Bible verses about love and marriage show that loving and caring for your spouse is a lifelong journey. It takes patience, kindness, and forgiveness and a desire to prioritize your partner’s needs over your own. When you look to God for guidance and follow His teachings, you and your spouse can create a lasting and joyful marriage that honors Him and glorifies Him.
Just remember, the love a husband and wife share reflects the unconditional love God has for His people. I hope these verses encourage you to keep growing and nurturing the love in your marriage. May your relationship be a beautiful example of God’s love and grace.