Bible Verses About Marriage

Scripture gives a high and tender vision of marriage. These verses about marriage guide couples toward love, patience and unity.

“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. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” — Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (KJV)

Ecclesiastes' clear-eyed view of life under the sun includes this observation about partnership in general, not marriage alone, within a skeptical, unsentimental book. Applied to marriage, it argues two people sharing burdens can outlast trouble that would break one alone.

“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” — Genesis 2:24 (KJV)

Leave, cleave and one flesh — three verbs in the order the text gives them. Jesus and Paul both quote this line as the definition rather than a description of custom.

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” — Ephesians 5:25 (KJV)

Husbands are told to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it. The standard set is self-donation, not authority.

“What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” — Mark 10:9 (KJV)

What God hath joined together, let not man put asunder — said in answer to a test question about divorce. Jesus grounds his reply in Genesis rather than in the law of Moses.

“Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.” — Proverbs 18:22 (KJV)

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing and obtaineth favour of the LORD. Marriage is described as a form of favour received rather than an achievement.

“Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.” — 1 Corinthians 7:3 (KJV)

Due benevolence is owed by each to the other, and the next verse makes the obligation exactly mutual. In its first-century setting the symmetry was the striking part.

“Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.” — Colossians 3:19 (KJV)

Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them — the second clause is the practical one. Bitterness is named as the specific failure to guard against.

“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.” — 1 Peter 3:7 (KJV)

Dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour — with the warning that prayers may be hindered otherwise. Marriage conduct is tied directly to prayer.

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” — Proverbs 31:10 (KJV)

Who can find a virtuous woman, for her price is far above rubies. The portrait that follows is of someone running a business and a household.

“Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” — Hebrews 13:4 (KJV)

Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled — stated against both licence and the idea that celibacy is holier. Written to a mixed congregation.

“My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies.” — Song of Solomon 2:16 (KJV)

My beloved is mine, and I am his — mutual possession stated in both directions. The book was preserved in the canon without allegorising away its plain sense.

“Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.” — 1 Corinthians 7:5 (KJV)

Defraud ye not one the other, except with consent for a time — even abstinence requires agreement and a deadline. Paul is unusually specific.

“Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.” — Proverbs 5:18 (KJV)

Rejoice with the wife of thy youth, in a chapter warning against adultery. Delight in one's own marriage is offered as the practical safeguard.

“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” — Amos 3:3 (KJV)

Can two walk together, except they be agreed? — asked about God and Israel, but the image is domestic. Agreement is presented as the precondition of company.

“For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.” — Malachi 2:16 (KJV)

He hateth putting away, said to men divorcing the wives of their youth while bringing offerings. The prophet connects the marriage and the altar directly.

“Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.” — Ephesians 5:33 (KJV)

Let every one so love his wife, and the wife see that she reverence her husband — the chapter's summary line. Each is given something to do rather than to feel.

“Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.” — 1 Corinthians 13:8 (KJV)

Charity never faileth, from the chapter read at most weddings. In context it is addressed to a divided church, which makes it a harder promise than it sounds.

Carry these verses with you

Save and revisit these verses anytime with Quiethaven — read the whole Bible offline, get a verse of the day on your lock screen, and turn reading into prayer.

Keep Scripture close — free on iPhone.

Download on the App Store

More verses by topic

From the blog

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about marriage?

The 17 passages gathered on this page are the ones readers turn to most on marriage: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Genesis 2:24, Ephesians 5:25, Mark 10:9, Proverbs 18:22, 1 Corinthians 7:3, Colossians 3:19, 1 Peter 3:7, Proverbs 31:10, Hebrews 13:4, Song of Solomon 2:16, 1 Corinthians 7:5…

What is a good Bible verse about marriage?

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 is the passage most often quoted on marriage, with Genesis 2:24 and Ephesians 5:25 close behind. Which one helps depends on whether you need reassurance, instruction or simply company.

Where can I read these marriage verses?

You can read all of these verses about marriage — and the whole Bible, offline, in your preferred translation — free in the Quiethaven app for iPhone.