Scripture begins with a marriage in Genesis and ends with a wedding feast in Revelation. These King James verses speak to couples, weddings and every season of married life.
The Bible presents marriage as a covenant designed by God, in which a husband and wife "shall be one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). Jesus affirmed it, saying "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" (Matthew 19:6). Scripture calls spouses to patient, faithful, self-giving love, honor and forgiveness.
For practical help built on these verses, read our guide to Christian marriage. To go deeper into the chapter most often read at weddings, see 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 explained, or read the whole of Genesis 2.
Where Scripture roots marriage, from creation onward.
And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
In the creation account, God sees the first man alone in the garden.
God declares that it is not good for the man to be alone and makes a fitting partner for him.
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
The creation account explains the union of man and woman.
Marriage involves leaving parents, holding fast to one's spouse, and becoming one flesh.
But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.
Jesus answers Pharisees who question him about divorce, quoting Genesis.
Jesus grounds marriage in God's design at creation: the two become one flesh.
Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
Matthew's account of the same teaching on marriage and divorce.
Marriage is a union God joins, and Jesus warns against tearing it apart.
Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
Practical instructions near the end of Hebrews.
Marriage is to be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept faithful.
The love Scripture holds up for husbands and wives.
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Paul's chapter on love, written to a divided church at Corinth and often read at weddings.
Love is patient, kind and enduring, a description of everyday love that bears, believes, hopes and endures all things.
And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Paul lists the virtues believers are to put on like clothing.
Above every other virtue, love is the bond that holds everything together.
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
Peter urges believers to keep their love for one another strong.
Fervent love covers a multitude of sins, making room for grace in close relationships.
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.
Near the end of the Song of Solomon, a love poem celebrating a bride and groom.
True love cannot be put out by floods or bought with wealth.
My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies.
The bride speaks of her beloved in the Song of Solomon.
Married love is mutual belonging: each belongs to the other.
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
John writes to believers about God's love and love for one another.
Love comes from God, so loving well is an expression of knowing him.
New Testament instructions to married couples.
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Paul introduces his teaching on household relationships.
Believers submit to one another out of reverence for God, the frame for what follows.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Paul addresses husbands in his teaching on marriage.
Husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it.
Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Paul sums up his teaching on marriage in Ephesians 5.
Love and respect are both named; traditions differ on how they read the roles in this passage, but all stress self-giving love.
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Peter gives instructions to husbands in his first letter.
Husbands are to live with understanding and honor toward their wives as fellow heirs of the grace of life.
Wisdom on companionship and commitment.
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 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.
The Preacher of Ecclesiastes reflects on the value of companionship.
Two are better than one, because each can lift the other up when one falls.
And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
The same reflection on companionship.
A threefold cord is not quickly broken, a verse many couples read as a marriage bound together with God.
And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
Ruth speaks to her mother-in-law Naomi, refusing to leave her; the words are often used in weddings.
Ruth's pledge expresses loyal, lifelong commitment that shares a home, a people and a God.
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
A proverb from the collection associated with Solomon.
A good spouse is a good gift and a sign of favor from the LORD.
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
The opening of the poem of the virtuous woman at the end of Proverbs.
A spouse of strong character is worth more than rubies.
Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.
The Preacher's counsel on enjoying the life God gives.
Married life is a gift to be enjoyed together through all the days of life.
The daily virtues that keep a marriage strong.
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Paul urges the Ephesian believers to live worthy of their calling.
Humility, gentleness and patient love keep unity and peace in close relationships.
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Paul describes the new way of life in Christ.
Kindness and forgiveness between spouses follow the pattern of God's forgiveness in Christ.
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Paul gives practical instructions for love in community.
Love shows itself in warm affection and in honoring the other above oneself.
The Bible presents marriage as a lifelong union designed by God. Genesis 2:24 says a man "shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh," and Jesus affirmed this in Matthew 19:6, "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." Scripture calls spouses to faithful, patient, self-giving love.
Popular choices include 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, "Charity suffereth long, and is kind," Ecclesiastes 4:12, "a threefold cord is not quickly broken," Ruth 1:16, "whither thou goest, I will go," and Song of Solomon 8:7, "Many waters cannot quench love." Genesis 2:24 and Matthew 19:6 are also common.
Many couples choose Ephesians 4:2-3 for daily life, which calls for "forbearing one another in love," or Colossians 3:14, "put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness." 1 Peter 4:8 is a strong reminder that "charity shall cover the multitude of sins."
The phrase comes from Ecclesiastes 4:12: "a threefold cord is not quickly broken." In context it praises companionship and mutual support. Many Christian couples apply it to marriage as husband, wife and God bound together, a strength greater than either spouse alone.
Ephesians 5:25 says "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it," and 1 Peter 3:7 calls husbands to give honor to their wives as "heirs together of the grace of life." Christian traditions interpret the roles in Ephesians 5 differently, but agree on mutual love and honor.
Yes. Hebrews 13:4 says "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled." Proverbs 18:22 adds "Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD." Scripture treats marriage as a good gift to be honored and kept faithful.