Bible Verses About Marriage
Marriage in Scripture is traced back to creation itself and described as a gift, a union, and a relationship shaped by sacrificial love. These verses cover its origin, its call to love, and its everyday value as partnership.
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
The foundational pattern of marriage established at creation: leaving, cleaving, becoming one flesh.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Paul's high standard for love in marriage, modeled on Christ's sacrificial love for the church.
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
Names finding a spouse as finding 'a good thing' and favor from the LORD.
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
Practical wisdom on partnership: two are better than one in facing life's labor.
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
Paul's description of love in action — patient, kind, not self-seeking — as relevant to marriage as to any relationship.
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Frequently asked questions
Where does the Bible's picture of marriage begin?
Genesis 2:24 establishes the pattern at creation itself — a man leaving his parents and being united to his wife as one flesh — quoted later by both Jesus (Matthew 19:5) and Paul (Ephesians 5:31).
What standard does the Bible set for love in marriage?
Ephesians 5:25 points to Christ's sacrificial, self-giving love for the church as the model — a notably high standard grounded in Christ's example, not convenience.