Bible Verses About Love and Marriage
The Bible is full of incredible guidance and examples of love, making it a perfect source to turn to as we think about marriage, the union created by God.
One of the most famous scriptures on love and marriage in the Bible is 1 Corinthians 13 which ends with, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” It gives incredible insight, that love in marriage is about more than feelings. It’s about giving of yourself each day.
Not only does this timeless verse offer us insight into how deep and beautiful love can be, but it also offers a reminder that our earthly relationships should always strive for that same kind of eternal commitment.
No matter what comes our way, God encourages us to draw near with patience and understanding when it comes to marriages rooted in Bible verses about love and marriage. His promises remain steadfast even when our human relationships falter – He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
Love and Marriage Quotes
Love and Marriage in the Bible
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;[a]6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
This famous Bible verse about love is often read at weddings, since it pertains so well to marriages. When we practice these words and embrace them in our marriage, this union will always be rooted in love and understanding.
Instead of patience and kindness being fleeting treasures, they become the foundations that serve to strengthen us and bind us together when times are tough. Openness and vulnerability should drive our decisions as we aim to find comfort in truth instead of anger.
By practicing God’s love in our everyday lives, we have a chance to showcase this profound beauty – something Paul recognized in the first century when he wrote those words.
Genesis 2:23-24
And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
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.”
24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
“At last!” the man exclaimed. “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’”
24 This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.
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.”
24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
The first people on Earth, Adam and Eve, were also the first marriage union described in the Bible. These old testament verses about love and marriage help us to see what the first union looked like as God intended it to.
In Genesis 2:23-24, God declares the beauty His creation of marriage. He gives the first example of how a man and a woman are made to be together, a union that is strong and lifelong.
The loving connection between husband and wife is something precious, something divinely ordained by our Creator.
Ephesians 5:25-27
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.27 He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
This Bible verse about love and marriage tells husbands to make it a priority to love their wives. God encourages husbands to love their wives as He loved the church enough to give His life for them, completely embracing sacrificial love.
Likewise, wives should submit to their husbands as Christ submitted to God, offering full trust and obedience.
By both partners being willing to give of themselves wholly for one another without expecting anything in return, relationships can be built on a strong foundation of unconditional love and respect.
This kind of loving relationship not only strengthens a marriage but also reflects the example set forth by Christ Himself.
Proverbs 31:10-12
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.
11 Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.
12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
This verse from Proverbs beautifully encapsulates the true meaning of marriage: a partnership built on love, trust, and respect.
It speaks of a wife who has a strong relationship with her husband. He has “full confidence in her” and “she brings him good” all the days of her life. They work together to love and serve each other.
When we follow Bible verses about love and marriage, we can develop a lifelong love story that grows better with age.
Colossians 3:12-14
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
In Colossians 3:12-14, Paul reminds us to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. These qualities form the very fabric of our lives and allow us to approach others, including our husband or wife, with understanding and love.
Compassion means caring deeply for others and wanting to help them; kindness involves extending acts of courtesy and thoughtfulness that generate mutual benefit; humility recognizes the value of each individual in the eyes of God; gentleness is showing consideration for other people’s feelings; and patience is maintaining an even temper in times of distress or difficulty.
With such attributes at our disposal we can come together easily in our marriages. This passage confirms Paul’s conviction that through love we will be able to bear all things, endure all things, be united with one another and bring glory to God.
1 Peter 4:8
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
The apostle Paul offers us a reminder of how to live in 1 Peter 4:8.
He reminds us that “love covers a multitude of sins,” bringing us back to our place as members of the same family of God and especially within a marriage union.
Even though we can often be tempted to remain judgmental and disconnected from one another, love is the bridge that keeps us connected even in the midst of challenging times. It can serve as a reminder of how sin can divide us and how love ultimately brings us back together, amplifying its power beyond repentance alone.
Let this word from Scripture provide you with courage, faith, and strength to keep choosing love over judgment today and every day.
Genesis 1:27-28
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
God created mankind in the midst of His creation of all things we know and see. He made man and woman to “increase in number,” and to “fill the earth.”
He specifically made mankind alone in His image. And if God is the true and best depiction of love, then we can and should show His love, especially in marriage.
We can love each other well in marriage by helping each other through life’s tasks. We can also support each other when one falls down and needs a hand to get up.
Christians can be God’s example of love on earth as we show that marriage partners can choose love no matter what.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10 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.
11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
10 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.
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
This Bible verse about love and marriage explains how important it is to have a lifelong partner by your side.
It says that married couples can help each other up if one falls, they can keep each other warm, and they can defend themselves better. Not only is marriage important for practical reasons, but also for encouragement, support, and unconditional love. The blessings in a good marriage abound!
And when a marriage also is connected by faith in God, it is strengthened all the more.
In this passage, God reminds us how precious and important marriage can be.
Ephesians 4:2-3
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
In love and marriage we should take these words from Ephesians to heart: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
When we exhibit these characteristics we are sure to have a great, loving marriage. Serving each other in this way produces joy and peace.
It can feel difficult to do these things, but God’s guidance is always the best way to live.
1 Peter 3:7
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.
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.
In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.
Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you[a] of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
The Bible verse 1 Peter 3:7 is truly a reminder of the power of love. It encourages us to be gentle and respectful in our relationships, no matter how difficult the circumstances or environment.
We are called to display kindness and patience in our conversations even when we don’t understand each other. Doing this creates understanding and connection, allowing us to cultivate deeper relationship bonds that include understanding, trust, mutual respect, and compassion.
May we use these wise Bible verses about love and marriage to honor each other always and act out of deeper expressions of love today.
