Dating and romantic relationships are a big part of life, but what does the Bible say about having a girlfriend? While the term “girlfriend” isn’t directly mentioned in Scripture, the Bible offers plenty of wisdom about relationships, love, and the path toward marriage. Whether you’re seeking guidance on how to approach dating or wondering what healthy Christian relationships look like, let’s explore what the Bible teaches about love, respect, and finding a partner.
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What Does The Bible Say About Girlfriends
Proverbs 18:22
“He who finds a wife finds what is good
and receives favor from the Lord.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of finding a wife, as it is considered a blessing and favor from the Lord. It highlights the value and significance of having a committed relationship with a life partner.
Companionship and partnership in a romantic relationship are important aspects of life. This verse acknowledges that finding a wife brings joy, fulfillment, and God’s favor to a person’s life.
1 Corinthians 7:2
“But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.”
Within the context of sexual relationships, this verse emphasizes the importance of marriage and the exclusivity of sexual intimacy within the boundaries of a committed marital relationship.
It encourages fidelity within marriage, highlighting the biblical principle that sexual relations are meant to be enjoyed within the commitment and covenant of marriage.
Proverbs 5:18-19
“May your fountain be blessed,
and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.
A loving doe, a graceful deer may her breasts satisfy you always,
may you ever be captivated by her love.”
This verse celebrates the joy and satisfaction found in a loving and committed relationship with a spouse. It portrays marital love as a blessing and a source of delight.
The imagery of a doe and a deer signifies the beauty, grace, and affection that should be present in a marital relationship. It encourages lovers to be captivated by each other and find contentment in the love and intimacy they share.
Ephesians 5:25
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
In this verse, husbands are instructed to love their wives selflessly and sacrificially, modeling their love after the love that Christ has for His church.
It highlights the responsibility of husbands to prioritize their wives’ well-being and be willing to make personal sacrifices for the sake of their marriages, mirroring Christ’s ultimate sacrifice for His people.
Song of Solomon 8:6
“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.”
This verse vividly portrays the intensity and strength of love. It compares love to death, emphasizing its unyielding nature and the deep level of commitment it requires.
The symbolic image of a seal affirms the desire for a love that is securely and permanently tied. It depicts love as a passionate and powerful force that cannot be easily extinguished.
1 Corinthians 7:9
“But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”
In discussing the challenges of sexual desire, this verse suggests that marriage can be a remedy for those who struggle with controlling their passions.
It highlights the importance of channeling one’s desires and urges into a committed marital relationship, rather than engaging in immorality or indulging in sinful behaviors.
Proverbs 31:10
“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.”
This verse emphasizes the value and rarity of finding a wife of noble character. It suggests that such a wife is precious and highly esteemed.
It encourages men to seek a partner who possesses qualities of virtue, integrity, and wisdom, recognizing that a woman of noble character brings great worth and blessings to her husband.
Genesis 2:24
“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”
This verse highlights the concept of leaving one’s family and establishing a new, intimate bond with a spouse through marriage.
It emphasizes the unity and oneness that is formed in marriage, both on a physical and emotional level.
Matthew 19:6
“So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
Jesus affirms the sacredness and permanence of the marriage bond in this verse, emphasizing that once a man and woman are united in marriage, they become inseparable in the eyes of God.
It serves as a reminder of the divine intention for marriage to be a lifelong commitment, urging individuals to honor and preserve the covenant they have made with each other and with God.
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 instructs husbands to treat their wives with consideration, respect, and honor. It acknowledges the equal value and worth of both partners in a marriage relationship.
It emphasizes the importance of maintaining healthy and respectful relationships within marriage, as it has an impact on one’s relationship with God and the effectiveness of their prayers.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“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.”
Known as the “love chapter,” these verses provide a comprehensive description of love, illustrating its various characteristics and qualities.
It serves as a guide for individuals in relationships, highlighting the importance of love being patient, kind, humble, forgiving, truthful, protective, trusting, hopeful, and enduring.
Colossians 3:19
“Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.”
This verse reminds husbands to love their wives and treat them with gentleness, avoiding any form of harshness or cruelty.
It emphasizes the need for husbands to cultivate a loving and nurturing environment within their marriages, reflecting the love and grace of Christ in their interactions with 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 verse highlights the impact a wife can have on her husband’s life. A wife of noble character is seen as a source of honor and blessing to her husband.
Conversely, a wife who behaves disgracefully or dishonorably can have a detrimental effect on her husband’s well-being and reputation.
Proverbs 19:14
“Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,
but a prudent wife is from the Lord.”
This verse emphasizes that finding a prudent and wise wife is a gift from God. It suggests that a woman’s character and qualities are of greater value than material possessions.
Having a discerning and wise wife brings blessings and benefits that go beyond material wealth and inheritance.
Proverbs 14:1
“The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.”
This verse highlights the influence and impact that a wise woman can have on her home and family. It emphasizes the importance of wisdom and prudence in building a strong and stable household.
Conversely, a foolish woman can have a destructive effect on her own family, contributing to the breakdown of relationships and the tearing down of the home.
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 speaks to the mutual responsibilities within a marriage relationship. It instructs husbands to love their wives as they love themselves, and it encourages wives to respect their husbands.
It highlights the importance of love and respect in creating a healthy and harmonious marriage, where both partners are valued and honored.
Proverbs 31:30
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
This verse underscores the importance of inner beauty and character above external appearance. It acknowledges that charm and physical beauty are transient.
Instead, it commends women who have a reverential fear of the Lord, recognizing their worth and value in God’s eyes.
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 provide for their families. It emphasizes the importance of fulfilling one’s role in supporting and caring for their loved ones.
It serves as a reminder of the sacrificial love and commitment required in providing for the needs of the family and ensuring their well-being.
Proverbs 21:19
“Better to live in a desert
than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.”
This verse stresses the negative impact of living with a contentious and nagging spouse. It suggests that it is preferable to be in solitude than in constant conflict.
It serves as a cautionary reminder of the significance of fostering harmony and maintaining peace within a marriage relationship.
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.”
These verses address wives and encourage them to exhibit godly behavior and submission within their marriages. It suggests that a godly and respectful demeanor can have a positive influence on non-believing husbands.
It serves as a reminder of the potential impact wives can have on their husbands through their actions, attitudes, and commitment to living a life of purity and reverence.
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.’”
These verses express Ruth’s unwavering commitment and loyalty to her mother-in-law, Naomi. She demonstrates her dedication by refusing to leave Naomi’s side, even when encouraged to do so.
It serves as an example of devotion and selflessness within a familial relationship, illustrating the importance of sacrificial love and steadfastness.
1 Corinthians 11:11
“Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.”
This verse highlights the mutual interdependence of men and women. It acknowledges that both genders need each other and that they are designed to support and complement one another.
It emphasizes the equality and interconnection between husbands and wives, affirming the need for mutual respect, submission, and collaboration within marriage.
Genesis 29:20
“So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.”
This verse tells the story of Jacob’s love and dedication to Rachel. It portrays the lengths he was willing to go to obtain her hand in marriage, highlighting the power of love.
It serves as a reminder of the depth of love and commitment that can be found in a romantic relationship, inspiring others to pursue genuine love and devotion in their own lives.
1 Peter 4:8
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of love in relationships. It encourages believers to love one another deeply and unconditionally, recognizing that love has the power to forgive and overlook the mistakes and shortcomings of others.
It serves as a reminder to prioritize love in any interpersonal relationship, including marriage, and to cultivate an environment of grace and forgiveness.
Song of Solomon 3:4
“Scarcely had I passed them
when I found the one my heart loves.
I held him and would not let him go
till I had brought him to my mother’s house,
to the room of the one who conceived me.”
These verses express the determination and intensity of the love depicted in the Song of Solomon. The speaker passionately pursues their beloved, refusing to let go until they have brought them to the place of commitment.
This passage illustrates the importance of perseverance and pursuit in love, showcasing the desire to establish a secure and lasting relationship.