Courting is a way to build relationships with honor and purpose. The Bible doesn’t use the word “courting,” but it gives guidance on love, respect, and seeking God’s will in relationships. Today, we’ll explore how Scripture can help us honor God while preparing for marriage.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Court
What Does The Bible Say About Courting
Genesis 2:24
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of leaving one’s parents and cleaving to one’s spouse in the context of marriage. It highlights the commitment and unity that should exist between a husband and wife.
By leaving their parents, individuals are called to prioritize their relationship with their spouse and create a new family unit. This verse teaches that the marriage relationship should be a strong and exclusive bond, symbolized by becoming one flesh.
Proverbs 18:22
“He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.”
According to this verse, finding a spouse is considered a blessing and a source of favor from God. The emphasis is on a man finding a wife in this context.
This verse highlights the positive impact a godly spouse can have on one’s life and the favor that can come from embracing the gift of marriage. It expresses the belief that a good and suitable partner is a valuable treasure.
Proverbs 19:14
“House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of a wise and discerning wife, attributing her as a gift from the Lord.
It suggests that while material possessions may be handed down through generations, a spouse with wisdom, discernment, and prudence is a special blessing that comes directly from God.
Proverbs 31:10
“An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.”
This verse highlights the incomparable value and worth of a virtuous and excellent wife.
It emphasizes that a wife of noble character, known as the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31, is a rare and precious find, far surpassing the value of material possessions like jewels.
1 Corinthians 7:2
“But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.”
This verse acknowledges the presence of sexual temptations and encourages marriage as a solution to avoid falling into sexual immorality.
It emphasizes the importance of a committed marital relationship where sexual needs are fulfilled within the boundaries of marriage.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful.”
This verse, often referred to as the “Love Chapter,” describes the characteristics and qualities of true love.
It highlights attributes such as patience, kindness, humility, and selflessness, which are foundational for healthy relationships, including courtship and marriage.
1 Corinthians 16:14
“Let all that you do be done in love.”
This verse encourages believers to conduct themselves in a manner that is motivated by love.
It reminds us that love should be the driving force behind all our actions, including courtship. Love should guide our words, our deeds, and our interactions with both God and others.
2 Corinthians 6:14
“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?”
This verse warns believers against entering into intimate relationships, such as courtship or marriage, with non-believers.
It emphasizes the importance of sharing common values, beliefs, and spiritual foundations in relationships to ensure harmony and unity.
2 Corinthians 7:1
“Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.”
This verse encourages believers to pursue holiness and purity in all areas of life, including courtship.
It serves as a reminder that our relationships should reflect our commitment to live according to God’s standards and be characterized by purity, integrity, and a reverence for God.
Ephesians 4:2-3
“With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
This verse instructs believers to approach relationships with humility, gentleness, and patience.
It emphasizes the importance of showing love and understanding toward one another, as well as actively working to preserve unity and peace in all aspects of our interactions, including courtship.
Ephesians 5:25
“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
This verse calls husbands to love their wives sacrificially, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.
It highlights the selfless and unconditional love that husbands should have for their wives, demonstrating Christ-like love and devotion.
Ephesians 5:33
“However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of mutual love and respect within the marriage relationship.
It encourages husbands to love their wives as they love themselves and urges wives to show respect and honor to their husbands. These qualities are foundational to a healthy and thriving courtship and marriage.
Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
This verse directs believers to focus their thoughts and meditations on things that are good, pure, and praiseworthy.
In the context of courtship, it encourages individuals to consider the character and qualities of their potential spouse, focusing on virtues and attributes that align with God’s standards.
Colossians 3:14
“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
This verse highlights the centrality of love in maintaining harmony and unity within relationships.
It emphasizes that love is the overarching virtue that should guide and bind all other virtues, providing a solid foundation for courtship and marriage.
Colossians 3:19
“Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.”
This verse once again emphasizes the command for husbands to love their wives, while also instructing them not to be harsh or insensitive toward them.
It underscores the importance of treating one’s spouse with kindness, tenderness, and respect in all aspects of the relationship, including courtship.
1 Timothy 5:1-2
“Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.”
This verse provides guidance on how believers should interact and relate to one another in a manner that is pure and respectful.
Within the context of courtship, it encourages individuals to treat their prospective partners with the same care, respect, and purity that they would show to their own family members.
Hebrews 13:4
“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”
This verse highlights the sanctity and importance of marriage, urging believers to honor and respect the institution of marriage.
It emphasizes the need to keep the marriage relationship pure and free from sexual immorality, as God holds individuals accountable for their actions in this area.
1 Peter 3:7
“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 of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.”
This verse instructs husbands to treat their wives with understanding, honor, and respect.
It acknowledges the equal spiritual worth of husbands and wives and emphasizes the importance of mutual respect and consideration in order to maintain a healthy and harmonious courtship and marriage.
1 John 4:18
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”
This verse reassures believers that true love is not characterized by fear or insecurity, but by boldness and confidence.
It reminds individuals that when they are secure in God’s love, they can approach courtship and relationships without fear, as His love casts out all fear.
Revelation 21:2
“And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”
This verse depicts the heavenly imagery of the new Jerusalem, symbolized as a bride adorned for her husband.
It highlights the ultimate fulfillment and joy that marriage represents and shows marriage as an emblem of the union between Christ and His church.