Life situation · Relationships and family
Bible Verses About Marriage
What Scripture says about marriage: the one-flesh union in Genesis, Jesus on marriage, love, honour and mutual submission in the letters, and patience and forgiveness at home.
Editorial text in English. Scripture is quoted from the version you choose; references stay the same in every version.
Introduction
The Bible speaks of marriage from its first chapters, where the man and woman become one flesh, to Jesus’ teaching when he was asked about divorce. Genesis 2:24Matthew 19:4–6
The letters describe marriage shaped by love, honour, patience and forgiveness. Christians interpret some instructions about husbands and wives in different ways; this page notes where that is so.
Passages to read
What each passage addresses in its own setting, and why it is relevant here. Read the surrounding verses too.
Genesis 2:18–25 Central teaching
What it addresses: The creation account of the man and the woman.
Why it is relevant: It is not good for the man to be alone; the two become one flesh.
Matthew 19:3–6 Central teaching
What it addresses: Jesus answers a question about divorce.
Why it is relevant: He quotes Genesis 1:27 and 2:24: “What therefore God has joined together, don’t let man tear apart.”
Ephesians 5:21–33 Central teaching
What it addresses: Paul’s instructions for husbands and wives within a household.
Why it is relevant: It begins “subject yourselves to one another” and calls husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church. Christians interpret the roles described here in different ways.
Colossians 3:12–14 Central teaching
What it addresses: Instructions for life together in the church, followed by household instructions.
Why it is relevant: Compassion, kindness, humility, patience and forgiveness, bound together by love.
1 Peter 3:7 Central teaching
What it addresses: Peter’s instruction to husbands.
Why it is relevant: Live with your wives with understanding and honour, as joint heirs of the grace of life.
1 Corinthians 13:4–7 Supporting passage
What it addresses: Paul describes love to a divided church, not specifically to couples.
Why it is relevant: Often read at weddings, it describes the patient, kind love marriage needs.
Song of Solomon 8:6–7 Supporting passage
What it addresses: Poetry celebrating love between a man and a woman.
Why it is relevant: “Love is strong as death… Many waters can’t quench love.”
Stories to read
Biblical narratives that involve the same experience. They describe what happened to particular people; they are not promises about every situation.
- Creation
Marriage first appears in the garden account. Genesis 2:24
- Ruth and Naomi
Boaz and Ruth’s marriage, marked by kindness. Ruth 3:10–11Ruth 4:13
Connected themes
- Love
Love is the centre of the Bible’s teaching on marriage. Ephesians 5:25
- Forgiveness
Forgiving one another. Colossians 3:13
- Reconciliation
Restoring a strained relationship. Matthew 5:23–24
Questions for reflection
Optional. Written by BibleKenya editors; they are not Scripture. Your answers are not collected.
- What does Genesis 2:18-24 say about why marriage exists?
- How does Ephesians 5:21 frame the instructions that follow?
- Which quality in Colossians 3:12-14 does your marriage most need?
- What would honour look like in practice this week (1 Peter 3:7)?
A short reading plan
Ticks are kept on this device only.
Related situations
- Abuse and Unsafe Relationships
What Scripture says marriage should be. Ephesians 5:25
- Family Conflict
For conflict at home. Ephesians 4:29–32
Study guides
- Love in 1 Corinthians 13
1 Corinthians 13 is often read at weddings. 1 Corinthians 13:4–7
Scripture, editorial reflection and professional advice are different things. The passages are quoted from the Bible version you choose; the explanations are BibleKenya’s; for health, legal, financial or safety decisions, seek qualified help.