It’s easy to feel like you’re not doing enough in your marriage.
You want to be a better spouse, but you don’t know how. You want to make your spouse happy, but you don’t know where to start. You want to make your marriage last forever, but you aren’t sure what the secret is.
The truth is, there’s no secret. The secret lies in one word: unity.
The Bible tells us that we must love our spouses as God loves us (1 John 4:19). This means that we treat our spouses with the same kind of love and respect that God treats us with—we show them honor, kindness and mercy by putting their needs above our own (Ephesians 5:25). We do this by working together as one unified unit—not two people who happen to live under the same roof with similar goals and values (Ephesians 5:21).
The Best Bible Verses About Marriage, Love and Commitment
Looking for ceremony readings, scriptures on love or guidance for your marriage? Read these 47 Bible verses about marriage and love.
The Bible says a lot about marriage, love, relationships and commitment. However, with 66 books and more than 30,000 verses across the Old Testament and New Testament of the Bible to flip through, it can be hard to find the perfect verse for the occasion exactly when you need it. Whether you’re looking for scripture passages of God’s teachings to include in your Christian wedding ceremony, want to add a Bible verse to an engagement card for a loved one, or are simply looking for an encouraging Bible quote about marriage, the words found in the Bible are a source of comfort to many.
READ MORE
140 Swoon-Worthy Love Quotes
Rev. Roxanne Birchfield of Married by Rev. Roxy is no stranger to the Bible and to officiating weddings. Known both for her service as a Chaplain in the United States Army Reserves and as a celebrity wedding officiant seen on the Netflix original series Love is Blind, Rev. Birchfield emphasizes the importance of finding wedding scriptures that speak you and the situation you’re experiencing, especially when you’re in the throes of planning a wedding ceremony. For Bible quotes for a wedding ceremony specifically, she advises that “couples should consider some of the lessons or tools they’ve learned in premarital counseling and find scripture verses that speak to that. Passages chosen should also be scriptures that are hopeful in nature and that will guide them as they head into the adventure and unknown of their marriage.” That advice holds true whether you’re looking for a Bible verse for when you say “I do” or simply as encouragement—allow the verses that speak to you and fill you with hope be the ones you select. To help you in that very endeavor, we’ve gathered some of our favorite Bible verses, from the New International Version (NIV) and English Standard Version (ESV) translations, that deal with love, marriage and commitment.
Find Your Perfect Wedding Dress
SPONSORED BY THE KNOT
In this story:
- Bible Verses About Marriage
- Bible Verses About Love
- Bible Verses About Relationships
- Bible Verses About Commitment
- Bible Verses for Husband
- Bible Verses for Wife
Bible Verses About Marriage
If you’re wondering what the Bible says about marriage, the verses we’ve gathered below may be a helpful starting point for understanding the discussion of marriage in the Bible. Whether you’re looking for marriage scriptures to weave into your wedding vows or simply want meaningful wedding scriptures for your officiant to share during their wedding sermon, finding a special Bible verse is a great way to ensure your vow exchange is beautiful and memorable. And to remember these verses long after your big day has passed, you could consider having them memorialized as wedding vow art or Bible verse home decor to keep your special day close to your heart.
1. Genesis 1:27-28
“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, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'” (ESV)
2. Colossians 3:14-17
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (NIV)
3. Ecclesiastes 4:9
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor…” (NIV)
4. Ecclesiastes 4:12
“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (NIV)
5. Mark 10:9
“Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (NIV)
6. 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.'” (NIV)
7. Psalm 85:10-11
“Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky.” (ESV)
Bible Verses About Love
In the immortal words of the clergyman from The Princess Bride in his speech about marriage, “love, true love, will follow you forever.” The power of love is at the center of relationships and marriage, so it’s no surprise that the Bible has a lot to say about the powerful concept. Bible verses about love would work well in your wedding vows, but they’d also fit seamlessly into wedding decor or as well-wishes in a wedding card.
8. Romans 13:8
“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” (ESV)
9. 1 Corinthians 13:2-7
“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. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
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.” (NIV)
10. 1 Corinthians 16:14
“Let all that you do be done in love.” (ESV)
11. Song of Solomon 8:6-7 (Song of Songs 8:6-7)
“Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house, he would be utterly despised.” (ESV)
12. Psalm 143:8
“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” (ESV)
13. 1 John 4:11-18
“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (NIV)
14. Ephesians 4:2-3
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (NIV)
15. 1 Peter 4:8
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (NIV)
16. John 15:12
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (ESV)
17. 1 Corinthians 13:13
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (NIV)
18. Song of Solomon 4:9 (Song of Songs 4:9)
“You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride; you have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace.” (ESV)
19. Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.” (NIV)
20. John 13:34
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (ESV)
21. Isaiah 54:10
“‘For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” (ESV)
Bible Verses About Relationships
Beyond what the Bible says about marriage, God has a lot to say about relationships in the Bible as well. From friendships to dating and engagement, these Bible verses about relationships can be a source of encouragement for people in relationships, no matter what those partnerships look like.
22. Hebrews 10:24-25
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (ESV)
23. Ruth 1:16-17
“But Ruth said, ‘Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.'” (ESV)
FOR YOU
What’s at Risk for Couples If Roe v. Wade Is Overturned
In fact, the Supreme Court decision could have broader implications on your overall wellness.
What Is a Prenup? Here’s Exactly How to Get One
Contrary to stigma, prenuptial agreements can inspire financial confidence.
Pride and Progress: A Look at LGBTQ+ Weddings in the US
Industry pros and real couples dish on how far we’ve come, and what’s left to do.
24. Romans 12:10
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (NIV)
25. Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (NIV)
26. Genesis 2:18-24
“Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, ‘This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.’ Therefore a young man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (ESV)
27. James 1:19-20
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” (ESV)
28. Philippians 4:4-9
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (NIV)
29. Titus 1:8
“but hospitable, a lover of good, without a lack of self-control, upright, holy, and disciplined.” (Abbreviation, ESV)
Bible Verses About Commitment
Commitment is a big part of both marriage and dating relationships. If you’re in a rut and need a bit of encouragement to press on in the commitment you’ve made to your S.O., these Bible scriptures may be a source of help and inspiration to you. Or if you’re not in a relationship, but are looking for a meaningful quote to put in a wedding card to a nearly-newlywed, these passages would be appropriate.
Shutterstock/ Jantanee Runpranomkorn
30. Proverbs 3:3-4
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” (NIV)
31. 1 John 4:20
“If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.” (ESV)
32. 2 Timothy 4:7
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (ESV)
33. Acts 2:42
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (ESV)
34. Galatians 6:8-9
“For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (NIV)
35. Philippians 3:13-14
“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (ESV)
36. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing…” (ESV)
37. Proverbs 16:3
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” (NIV)
