Weddings are joyful events, filled with love and celebration, and the Bible has much to say about marriage ceremonies and vows. Today, we’ll explore what Scripture teaches about weddings, the commitment involved, and how to honor God in marriage.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Those Who Have Never Heard The Gospel
What Does The Bible Say About Weddings
Genesis 2:24
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.”
This verse emphasizes the sacred union between a man and a woman in marriage. It signifies the commitment to leave behind their individual families and form a new family unit together.
The phrase “one flesh” depicts the deep intimacy and unity that God intends for husbands and wives to experience in their relationship. It serves as a reminder that marriage is designed to be a lifelong bond of love, trust, and support.
Proverbs 18:22
“He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.”
This verse highlights the value and importance of finding a life partner. It portrays a wife as a blessing from the Lord and suggests that a God-given marriage brings favor and blessings.
It encourages individuals to seek a spouse with the understanding that it is a divine gift that can bring happiness, joy, and the favor of the Lord.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: 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. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
This passage highlights the benefits and strength of companionship in marriage. It indicates that having a partner brings mutual support, comfort, and protection.
The imagery of a cord of three strands symbolizes the importance of including God in the marital relationship. When God is at the center of a marriage, it becomes strengthened and more resilient, not easily broken.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
This well-known passage describes the characteristics and nature of true love. It provides a foundational understanding of how love should be expressed in a marriage relationship.
These verses teach that love is not simply a feeling but a selfless and sacrificial choice. It encourages couples to embody patience, kindness, humility, forgiveness, and enduring commitment in their relationship.
Proverbs 21:9
“Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.”
This verse advises against entering into or remaining in a marriage where constant conflict and strife exist. It acknowledges that living in discord is detrimental to one’s well-being and happiness.
It serves as a reminder that a harmonious and peaceful marriage requires mutual respect, understanding, and the willingness to work through disagreements and conflicts together.
Proverbs 18:22
“He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.”
This verse highlights the value and importance of finding a life partner. It portrays a wife as a blessing from the Lord and suggests that a God-given marriage brings favor and blessings.
It encourages individuals to seek a spouse with the understanding that it is a divine gift that can bring happiness, joy, and the favor of the Lord.
Matthew 19:5-6
“For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
This verse emphasizes the permanence and sacredness of marriage. It highlights the unity between a husband and wife and affirms that their bond is established by God.
It emphasizes the importance of honoring and preserving the marital covenant and discourages divorce or any action that would seek to separate what God has joined together.
1 Peter 3:1-2
“Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.”
This passage offers guidance to wives on how to influence their husbands positively. It encourages wives to exhibit respect, purity, and reverence in their conduct, even if their husbands are not believers.
It suggests that through their actions and character, wives can have a profound impact on their husbands, potentially leading them to faith in Christ.
Ephesians 5:25
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
This verse addresses husbands and instructs them to love their wives sacrificially, modeling their love after the way Jesus Christ loves the Church.
It reminds husbands that their love should be selfless, unconditional, and willing to make sacrifices for the well-being and happiness of their wives.
Proverbs 12:4
“A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.”
This proverb emphasizes the impact a wife’s character can have on her husband. It suggests that a virtuous and honorable wife brings honor and respect to her husband.
Conversely, a wife who lacks character and integrity can bring shame and ruin to her husband’s reputation and well-being.
Ruth 1:16-17
“But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.'”
This passage showcases Ruth’s loyalty, commitment, and devotion to her mother-in-law, Naomi. It embodies the sacrificial love and the deep bond that can exist between family members.
It serves as an example of the selflessness and steadfastness that should characterize relationships within a marriage, demonstrating the willingness to remain faithful and loyal even in difficult circumstances.
1 Corinthians 7:3-4
“The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife.”
These verses teach that within the boundaries of marriage, both husband and wife have a responsibility to meet each other’s sexual needs and desires.
It emphasizes the importance of mutual respect, consideration, and selflessness in the intimate aspect of the marital relationship.
1 Corinthians 13:13
“And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
This verse concludes the famous “love chapter” in Corinthians. It affirms that faith, hope, and love are essential virtues to cultivate in life and relationships, with love being of paramount importance.
It encourages couples to prioritize and nurture a love that is patient, kind, enduring, and selfless, as it is the foundation upon which a thriving and successful marriage is built.
Colossians 3:14
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
This verse advises believers to strive for love as the overarching virtue that encompasses and unites all other virtues.
It urges couples to anchor their relationship in love, as it has the power to foster unity, understanding, forgiveness, and harmony, enabling them to navigate the challenges of marriage with grace and mutual respect.
Song of Solomon 8:6-7
“Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned.”
This passionate and poetic depiction of love underscores its strength, power, and enduring nature.
It portrays love as a seal, a sign of commitment and permanence that cannot be easily broken or extinguished. It emphasizes that authentic love is priceless and cannot be purchased or replaced with material possessions.
Proverbs 31:10
“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.”
This verse extols the value and worth of a virtuous and capable wife. It describes her as a precious gem, rare and highly esteemed.
It recognizes that a wife who embodies noble character, wisdom, and integrity is a tremendous asset and blessing to her husband and family.
1 Peter 3:7
“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.”
This verse addresses husbands and urges them to treat their wives with kindness, understanding, and respect.
It acknowledges the equal worth and value of women and emphasizes the importance of honoring and cherishing one’s wife as a fellow heir of God’s grace.
Mark 10:9
“Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
This verse echoes the earlier instruction in Matthew 19:6 and emphasizes the divine union and permanence of marriage.
It serves as a reminder that, in God’s design, the marital bond should not be broken or dissolved by human whim or circumstance.
1 Timothy 5:8
“Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
This verse highlights the responsibility of husbands and fathers to care for and provide for their families. It emphasizes the importance of meeting the physical and material needs of one’s spouse and children.
It teaches that neglecting this duty is a denial of one’s faith and a failure to live according to the principles of love and responsibility exemplified by Christ.
Malachi 2:16
“The man who hates and divorces his wife,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect,” says the Lord Almighty. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful.”
This verse condemns the mistreatment and abandonment of one’s spouse through divorce or hatred.
It reminds individuals of their responsibility to uphold the sanctity and commitment of marriage, warning against infidelity and emotional or physical harm to one’s spouse.
Ephesians 5:33
“However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”
This verse offers a concise summary of the marital relationship dynamics. It instructs husbands to love their wives as they love themselves and calls wives to show respect to their husbands.
These qualities of love and respect when practiced mutually in a marriage contribute to a healthy, harmonious, and fulfilling relationship.
Proverbs 19:14
“Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.”
This proverb recognizes the role of God in providing a wise and discerning wife.
It encourages husbands to acknowledge the divine hand in bringing them a spouse who possesses wisdom, sound judgment, and practical insight.
Matthew 19:4-6
“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
In response to questions about divorce, Jesus references the creation account and reiterates the divine intention and design for marriage.
His words emphasize the sacred and lifelong nature of the marital covenant, urging individuals to view their commitment as something established by God, not to be easily broken.