Love the idea of love? So does God. The idea of marriage originated in the heart of God, and its first mention is in the first book of the Bible, Genesis, just after the story of creation. Discover more about God’s intention for marriage, Bible verses on marriage, and how to partner with God’s original design for marriage.
What is the Meaning of Marriage in the Bible?
So, what does the Bible say about marriage? Well, before we can have marriage, we have to start at creation, when God designed man and woman. In the first chapter of the Bible, we read:
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. - Genesis 1:27
God created men and women with purpose, intention, and delight. God is a creator, and He was happy when He made you! The Bible even says that God formed you in your mother's womb (Psalm 139). Now that we know that God created man and woman, we can read about the first mention of marriage in the Bible.
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” - Genesis 2:18
This Bible verse about marriage sets the stage for love. God knew that loneliness would develop if Adam didn’t have a partner. The word “helper” in Genesis 2:18 translates to ‘ezer’ in Hebrew. ‘Ezer’ is a combination of “to rescue”, “to be strong,” and “to save”. God’s intention for women is so much more than just a helper in the kitchen or a helper with the kids. God even refers to Himself as an ‘ezer’ sixteen times in the Bible when He rescues, saves, or shows His strength on behalf of His people.
So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. - Genesis 2:21-22
This Bible verse about marriage completes the creation story of Eve and how God formed the woman with care and intention.
The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” - Genesis 2:23
When Adam saw Eve, he was filled with joy, exclaiming that she was bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh. This Bible verse about marriage reminds the reader that man was created for woman and woman was created for man.
That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. - Genesis 2:24
In the next verse, we read about one of God’s clear reasons for marriage. A man will leave his father and mother to be united, or to ‘cleave’ to his wife. The word ‘cleave’ in this Bible verse about marriage means to adhere strongly to or become very emotionally attached to someone. Later, this marriage Bible verse reminds us that sex was designed and reserved for the covenant of marriage.
Scripture regarding marriage can feel confusing and condemning, especially in a world where sex is everywhere. No matter what your history is with sex, God can redeem, restore, and renew. Do you remember the story of King David? He saw a beautiful woman from his palace, slept with her, and then had her husband killed. Or the story of Paul the Apostle? Before he was Paul, he was Saul. He arrested and persecuted Christians before he had an encounter with God that changed everything.
Their stories remind us that we are never too far gone. God loves you, is here for you, and wants to make the wrong things right. Learn more about heroes in the Bible, how God redeemed them, and what to do when you mess up: How Does God Deal With Our Mistakes?
Bible Verses About Marriage
Scripture verses on marriage are found throughout the Bible. They encourage, edify, challenge, and equip followers of Jesus to love well and fulfill God’s purposes for marriage. Here are 10 key Bible verses about marriage to help further define what the Bible says about marriage.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her - Ephesians 5:25
God is setting the bar high for husbands in this Bible scripture regarding marriage! Husbands are instructed by God to love their wives in the same way that Jesus loves us. Jesus gave his life for us, sparing nothing to show us just how much He loves us. In this Bible verse about marriage, God invites husbands to become sacrificial and selfless, just like Him.
To love like God, we must receive His love first. Learn more about God’s awesome love: 10 Bible Verses About God’s Love For You
"Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.” - Mark 10:9
Marriage Bible verses highlight God’s desire for commitment and covenant. In God’s mind, marriage is meant for life. Though divorce is common today, Bible verses about marriage remind us that divorce is not God’s intention. Marriage is something worth fighting for.
The two reasons the Bible allows divorce are in cases of sexual immorality or desertion/abandonment, which extends to abuse. If there is abuse in your marriage, ensuring your safety and health is something God cares about deeply. God doesn’t want you to be hurt by the one who is supposed to love you like He does.
Should you or someone you know be experiencing abuse in their marriage, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline for free, immediate help today.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. - Proverbs 18:4
Proverbs is a book with lots of wisdom and practical life tips. This Bible verse about marriage encourages husbands that when they find a wife, they find a good thing. Proverbs 18:4 even goes as far as to say that when a man finds a wife, he obtains favor from God. This marriage Bible verse shows us the beauty and power of marriage in God’s eyes.
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. - Hebrews 13:4
This Bible verse about marriage shows us that the covenant of marriage is sacred and that it should be respected and valued in the Church. As we saw in the earlier Bible verses about marriage, scriptures regarding marriage always emphasize that sexual immorality and cheating on your spouse are not okay. Though there is forgiveness when we stumble, God’s original design for marriage was for fidelity and faithfulness.
Struggling with unforgiveness or deep pain? Read our blog: Finding Freedom Through Forgiveness
House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord. - Proverbs 19:4
This scripture regarding marriage emphasizes the gift of a good wife. In the book of Proverbs, the author draws comparisons between the wayward woman and the noble woman. A wife of noble character is a gift that God gives to her husband…and, we think she’s a gift to the whole world, too.
Read about Savanna Craig, a wife, mother, and follower of Jesus who is prudent, wise, and fearless about sharing her faith: How Encounters with Jesus Lead to Fearless Evangelism
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. - 1 Peter 3:7
This Bible verse about marriage is speaking to the husbands. God encourages husbands to be considerate and to treat women with respect. When this scripture regarding marriage mentions women as the ‘weaker partner’, it’s actually out of honor. Bible Ref.com describes it this way: “Rather, husbands must honor their wives as they would honor or care for something more fragile than themselves.” And surprisingly, this marriage Bible verse even suggests that spiritually, a man’s prayers are hindered if a man doesn’t treat his wife with respect. Wow!
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. - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
This Bible verse about marriage is one of the most commonly quoted passages about marriage. You’ve probably heard someone say this scripture regarding marriage at a wedding. It’s often referred to as the love passage in the Bible. It describes the characteristics of love and invites us to reach towards this type of love as Christians.
Love is easy when we agree, but what about when we disagree? Learn about how to love even when it’s hard: How to Love Someone You Disagree With
“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.” - Matthew 19:4-6
If you’re wondering, “What does the Bible say about marriage?”, looking to the words of Jesus is a good place. Jesus is replying to his critics, the Pharisees, who were trying to trap him by asking him difficult questions. The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” and Matthew 19:4-6 is how Jesus responds. This Bible verse about marriage shows us that fidelity and commitment in marriage matter deeply to God.
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. - 1 Corinthians 7:3-5
Marriage Bible verses like 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 may raise some eyebrows. The ‘marital duty’ in this Bible verse about marriage is talking about sexual intimacy within marriage. Paul is encouraging the married Christians in Corinth not to abstain from marital sex unless it is for a set time, as in during a fast, for the sake of prayer.
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. - 1 Peter 4:8
This Bible verse about marriage invites married couples to continue loving earnestly. Earnestly is just a big word that means eagerly, seriously, or intently. God takes the idea of love seriously. Marriage Bible verses remind us that love was God’s idea, marriage is a covenant He designed, and that love is worth fighting for.
Scriptures to Pray Over Your Marriage
Bible verses about marriage also make great scriptures to pray over your marriage. Praying the Bible is an easy and effective way to pray more every day. Here are some of our favorite marriage Bible verses to help you pray blessings and strength over your marriage.
Ephesians 5:25-32 is a passage about marriage that is helpful to pray over your spouse. Some sample prayers from Ephesians 5:25-32 can sound like:
For Wives to Pray:
“Father, I thank you that my husband is going to love like Jesus, growing to be more like Him every day. Give him the strength to become more selfless, and give me the strength to submit to his leadership. In Jesus’ name. Amen. ”
For Husbands to Pray:
“Father, I thank you for my wife. Help me to love her like You loved the Church. Give me wisdom to understand the profound mystery of Christ’s love for the Church and how to follow your leadership in my marriage and my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen. ”
Praying Bible verses about marriage and meditating on the scriptures are great ways to grow as a Christian. Learn more about meditating on the Bible and learning the scriptures with the recipe for revelation: How to Practice Christian Meditation
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. - Proverbs 31:28-30
Proverbs 31 is a great Bible passage about marriage to fuel your time of prayer. As a woman, you can pray for grace, strategy, and strength to become more like a Proverbs 31 woman. As a man, you can pray the first 9 verses of Proverbs 31, which talk about how to be a man of noble character. You can also thank God for a wife of noble character, who carries the fear of the Lord.
By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. - Proverbs 24:3-4
While this scripture may not be a direct Bible verse on marriage, it’s a great verse to pray out loud. You can repeat the Proverb back to God and let Him know your desire. Your prayer could sound like:
“Father, Your Word says that wisdom builds a house and through understanding it is established. Would you give my spouse and I the grace to acquire wisdom and understanding? Give us the spirit of wisdom you offer and the spirit of understanding that’s available in Jesus (Isaiah 11:2-5). We want to glorify you in our marriage, and we want our home to reflect your love. Thank you for your wisdom in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
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. - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
This Bible verse about marriage comes from Ecclesiastes, one of the wisdom books in the Bible. Just like God’s first statement in Genesis 2:18, this marriage Bible verse doubles down on the phrase, “It’s not good for man to be alone.” Praying this scripture regarding marriage is as simple as thanking God for the Word! You could pray something like:
“Father, thank you that two are better than one. Thank you, if I fall, my spouse will help me back up. Thank you for how You created man and woman, to help and to complement one another. I am grateful for how You created us and grateful for how You brought us together.”
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. - Galatians 5:22-23
The fruits of the Spirit are essential to any marriage. Praying this Bible verse on marriage can equip you to love your spouse more and grow in patience. You can start by thanking God and asking Him for help to become more like Jesus:
“Father, thank you for sending the Holy Spirit, and thank you for giving me the fruits of the Spirit! I ask that you help me grow in love, joy, peace, and patience. Increase my kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness, and give me self-control to honor my spouse and bring glory to your name. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. - Colossians 3:13
This scripture to pray over your marriage comes from the book of Colossians. Bible verses about marriage tend to emphasize forgiveness and repentance. Because Jesus forgave us, we now have the power to forgive others. Here is a simple prayer based on this Bible verse about marriage to ask for help with forgiveness:
“Lord, you are the author of love and all things good. I know that unforgiveness will stop me from loving others well. Help me to forgive those who have wronged me. Help me to release them from my judgment. Help to love more like Jesus and become more loving. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.- 1 Peter 4:8
Our final Bible verse about marriage that doubles as a great scripture to pray over your marriage comes from 1 Peter. This marriage Bible verse can be prayed just as is! Memorizing this scripture is a great way to honor your spouse, grow in love, and meditate on the word of God.
Conclusion
Marriage is one of God’s most beautiful creations. As you’ve discovered, what the Bible says about marriage is profound. God designed marriage with intention and purpose. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible gives Christians insight into how God sees marriage, how husbands should treat their wives, and the sacred nature of covenant. Whether you’re single, engaged, newly married, or have been married for years, God’s Word is full of passages about marriage to inspire and equip you in your walk.
