Marriage is a sacred bond, and the Bible addresses the challenges and blessings of faith in marriage. God’s Word provides wisdom on the importance of shared beliefs. Today, let’s explore what the Bible says about believers marrying nonbelievers.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Believers
What Does The Bible Say About Believers Marrying Nonbelievers
2 Corinthians 6:14
“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”
This verse highlights the importance of believers not marrying nonbelievers. It emphasizes the fundamental differences between a person who follows Christ and someone who does not. A marriage between a believer and a nonbeliever can create significant challenges and conflicts due to the contrasting values, beliefs, and priorities. Therefore, it is wise for believers to seek a partner who shares their faith in order to build a strong spiritual foundation in their marriage.
1 Corinthians 7:39
“A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.”
This verse establishes that a widow is free to remarry, but with the condition that her prospective husband must be a believer. It acknowledges the significance of marrying someone who shares the same commitment to the Lord. This requirement ensures that the spiritual aspect of a marriage remains intact and that both partners can grow in their faith together.
Ezra 9:12
“Therefore, do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters for your sons. Do not seek a treaty of friendship with them at any time, that you may be strong and eat the good things of the land and leave it to your children as an everlasting inheritance.”
In this verse, Israelites are commanded not to intermarry with the surrounding nations. This principle can be applied to believers, illustrating the importance of not entering into relationships with unbelievers. The purpose is to protect one’s spiritual well-being and that of future generations, ensuring the preservation of faith and the blessings that come with following God’s commands.
1 Peter 3:1
“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.”
This verse addresses the specific situation of a believer being married to a nonbeliever. It advises wives to demonstrate their faith through their actions and conduct, with the hope that their husbands will be influenced and eventually come to believe. It emphasizes the power of a believer’s testimony and the impact it can have on the unbelieving spouse.
2 Corinthians 6:15
“What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?”
This verse points out the inherent conflict between a believer and an unbeliever. It highlights the spiritual misalignment and lack of shared values that can arise in a relationship where one partner follows Christ and the other does not. It serves as a reminder of the potential challenges and difficulties that can arise when believers marry nonbelievers.
1 Corinthians 7:12-14
“To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.”
In this passage, Paul advises believers who are already married to unbelievers. He encourages them to maintain their marital relationship unless the unbelieving spouse chooses to end it. This is because the presence of a believing spouse can have a positive spiritual impact on the unbelieving partner and their children. However, it is important to note that this passage does not promote or endorse believers intentionally marrying nonbelievers.
Proverbs 31:30
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”
This verse emphasizes the true value and worth of a woman. It encourages men to prioritize a woman’s reverence for the Lord over external attributes such as charm or physical appearance. When looking for a spouse, believers are reminded to seek a partner who has a deep relationship with God and demonstrates a genuine devotion to Him.
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 tells the story of Ruth, a Moabite woman, who chose to stay with her Israelite mother-in-law, Naomi, after the death of their husbands. Ruth’s commitment to Naomi extended beyond mere loyalty; she also embraced Naomi’s God as her own. This example demonstrates the significance of shared faith and commitment in a relationship, even when faced with challenging circumstances.
1 Corinthians 7:16
“How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?”
In this verse, Paul acknowledges the potential influence believers can have on their nonbelieving spouses. It recognizes the possibility of the unbelieving partner coming to faith through the example and testimony of the believing spouse. However, this should not be the primary motivation for entering into a marriage with a nonbeliever, as there are no guarantees of conversion.
Nehemiah 13:25-27
“I rebuked them and called curses down on them. I beat some of the men and pulled out their hair. I made them take an oath in God’s name and said: ‘You are not to give your daughters in marriage to their sons, nor are you to take their daughters in marriage for your sons or for yourselves. Was it not because of marriages like these that Solomon king of Israel sinned? Among the many nations, there was no king like him. He was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel, but even he was led into sin by foreign women. Must we hear now that you too are doing all this terrible wickedness and are being unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women?'”
Nehemiah’s strong reaction to the intermarriage between the Israelites and foreign nations highlights the severity of the issue. He understands the danger of compromising one’s faith and being led astray by marrying individuals who do not share their commitment to the Lord. This serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the importance of marrying within the faith to prevent the erosion of one’s spiritual foundation.
Deuteronomy 7:3-4
“Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, for they will turn your children away from following me to serve other gods, and the LORD’s anger will burn against you and will quickly destroy you.”
In this passage, God commands the Israelites not to intermarry with the nations around them. The reason is that marrying individuals who worship other gods would lead the Israelites and their future generations to abandon their faith in the one true God. This reinforcement of keeping one’s allegiance to the Lord and the dangers of interfaith marriages apply to believers today and underscores the potential negative spiritual consequences that can arise from such unions.
2 Chronicles 18:1
“Now Jehoshaphat had great wealth and honor, and he allied himself with Ahab by marriage.”
This verse recounts the story of Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, entering into a marriage alliance with Ahab, the wicked king of Israel. The consequences of this ungodly union are seen later in the account, as Jehoshaphat faces the dangers and temptations of Ahab’s idolatrous ways. This narrative serves as a warning against aligning oneself closely with unbelievers, as it can lead to compromise and spiritual downfall.
1 Kings 11:1-2
“King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh’s daughter – Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. They were from nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, ‘You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.‘ Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love.”
This account depicts the tragic consequences of King Solomon’s disobedience to God’s command regarding intermarriage. Despite receiving clear instructions, Solomon allowed his love for foreign women to compromise his faith. He eventually turned to worship their gods, further illustrating the dangers of intermarrying with individuals who do not share the same beliefs.
Genesis 28:1
“So Isaac called for Jacob and blessed him. Then he commanded him: ‘Do not marry a Canaanite woman.'”
Isaac’s instruction to his son, Jacob, not to marry a Canaanite woman demonstrates the importance of preserving the spiritual heritage of God’s chosen people. The Canaanites were a pagan nation, and intermarriage with them would dilute the worship of the one true God. This example emphasizes the significance of marrying within one’s faith community to maintain the purity of worship and dedication to God.
Ezra 10:2-3
“Then Shekaniah son of Jehiel, one of the descendants of Elam, said to Ezra, ‘We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the peoples around us. But in spite of this, there is still hope for Israel. Now let us make a covenant before our God to send away all these women and their children, in accordance with the counsel of my lord and of those who fear the commands of our God. Let it be done according to the Law.'”
This passage depicts a group of Israelite men realizing their mistake of marrying foreign women and acknowledging their unfaithfulness to God. They make a firm commitment to rectify the situation by divorcing their foreign wives and sending them away. This story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of prioritizing obedience to God’s commands, even if it necessitates undoing previous decisions that were not in alignment with His will.
Nehemiah 13:23-25
“Moreover, in those days I saw men of Judah who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or the language of one of the other peoples, and did not know how to speak the language of Judah. I rebuked them and called curses down on them. I beat some of the men and pulled out their hair. I made them take an oath in God’s name and said: ‘You are not to give your daughters in marriage to their sons, nor are you to take their daughters in marriage for your sons or for yourselves.”
Nehemiah’s response to the intermarriage between the men of Judah and women from foreign nations highlights the importance of maintaining one’s cultural and linguistic identity with respect to their faith. The lack of knowledge and understanding of the language and customs of Judah created a division among the children, leading Nehemiah to strongly rebuke and correct the situation. This passage reinforces the principle of marrying within one’s faith community to preserve cultural and spiritual unity.
Malachi 2:11
“Judah has been unfaithful. A detestable thing has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem: Judah has desecrated the sanctuary the LORD loves by marrying women who worship a foreign god.”
This verse highlights the unfaithfulness of Judah through their intermarriage with women who worshiped foreign gods. Their marriages compromised their worship and desecrated the sanctuary of the Lord. It serves as a stern reminder of the consequences that can arise from entering into relationships with individuals who do not share the same faith, as it can lead to a compromise of one’s devotion to God.
Malachi 2:14
“You ask, ‘Why?’ It is because the LORD is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.”
This verse expresses God’s displeasure with the Israelites for being unfaithful to the wives of their youth. It underscores the sacredness of the marriage covenant and the importance of maintaining loyalty and faithfulness within the union. It implies that intermarriage with unbelievers would also constitute a breach of trust and faithfulness towards one’s spouse, as it involves compromising the spiritual unity and commitment within the marriage.
Deuteronomy 7:4
“For they will turn your children away from following me to serve other gods, and the LORD’s anger will burn against you and will quickly destroy you.”
This verse emphasizes the critical role that parents play in the spiritual upbringing of their children. Marrying nonbelievers can lead to a conflict of faith and potentially lead the children astray from following God. It warns of the devastating consequences that can result from such unions and underscores the importance of prioritizing the spiritual well-being of future generations.
1 Samuel 13:13-14
“You have done a foolish thing… But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the LORD’s command.”
This passage recounts Samuel’s rebuke to Saul for acting in disobedience by not waiting for him before offering a sacrifice. Though not specifically about intermarriage, it serves as a reminder of the consequences of disregarding God’s commands. Choosing to marry a nonbeliever similarly involves disobedience to God’s command to marry within the faith, potentially jeopardizing the blessings and plans God has for believers.
1 Kings 21:25
“(There was never anyone like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, urged on by Jezebel his wife.”
This verse highlights the influence and negative impact Ahab’s unbelieving wife, Jezebel, had on him. Ahab’s marriage to a woman who worshipped idols led him to commit great evil and turn away from God. It serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers and consequences of entering into relationships with nonbelievers, as their influence can lead believers astray and compromise their commitment to God.
Judges 3:5-7
“The Israelites lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. They took their daughters in marriage and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods. The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs.”
This passage shows the disastrous consequences of the Israelites disregarding God’s command against intermarriage with the surrounding nations. The Israelites not only married foreign women but also embraced their gods, leading to idol worship and forgetting the Lord. This serves as a cautionary example of the potential spiritual downfall that can occur when believers compromise their faith by marrying nonbelievers.