Marriage vows are a commitment of love, and the Bible holds this promise in high regard. It describes marriage as a sacred bond that reflects God’s faithfulness. Exploring biblical teachings on marriage vows can show us the value of lasting promises.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Focus
What Does The Bible Say About Marriage Vows
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 highlights the sacred union of marriage, emphasizing the commitment to leave behind one’s family and cleave to their spouse. Marriage is intended to create a deep bond and unity between husband and wife, symbolized through the concept of becoming one flesh.
It teaches the importance of forsaking individual independence and prioritizing the commitment to one’s spouse, establishing a solid foundation for a lifelong partnership.
Proverbs 18:22
“He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.”
This verse acknowledges the significance of finding a suitable partner in marriage. It suggests that a good and godly spouse is a precious gift from the Lord and brings favor into one’s life.
It emphasizes the importance of seeking God’s guidance in finding a life partner, recognizing that a harmonious and fulfilling marriage is not merely a result of chance, but a divine provision.
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 emphasizes the importance of sexual purity within the confines of marriage. It addresses the natural desires and urges and provides a clear framework for satisfying sexual intimacy by advocating for monogamous relationships.
It encourages individuals to seek marital commitment as a means of safeguarding against the temptation of sexual immorality, promoting faithfulness and honoring the covenant of marriage.
Ephesians 5:25
“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
This verse highlights the sacrificial love that husbands are called to demonstrate towards their wives. It draws a parallel between Christ’s selfless love for the church and the husband’s responsibility to sacrificially love and care for his wife.
It challenges husbands to prioritize the well-being and spiritual growth of their wives and aligns the marriage relationship with the self-giving love exemplified by Jesus.
Ephesians 5:22
“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.”
This verse addresses the role of wives within the marriage relationship, highlighting the biblical concept of submission. It calls for wives to willingly place themselves under the leadership and authority of their husbands, in a manner that reflects their submission to the Lord.
It promotes harmony and order within marriages and fosters respect and trust between husbands and wives, encouraging mutual submission to God’s design.
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 emphasizes the importance of husbands treating their wives with understanding, honor, and respect. It calls husbands to recognize the inherent value of their wives and to cherish them as equal partners in the grace of life.
By highlighting the potential hindrance of prayers when mistreating one’s spouse, it underscores the significance of nurturing a loving and respectful relationship within marriage.
Malachi 2:16
“For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.”
This verse denounces the act of divorce and highlights the importance of marital commitment and love. It warns against the harm caused by breaking the marriage covenant and encourages husbands to love their wives faithfully.
It emphasizes the significance of guarding one’s spirit and upholding the commitment made in marriage, urging spouses to prioritize reconciliation and work towards resolving conflicts rather than resorting to divorce.
Proverbs 31:10
“An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.”
This verse praises the value of a virtuous and worthy wife, highlighting her worth as being more valuable than jewels. It emphasizes the qualities of a godly wife – her character, her faithfulness, and her noble virtues.
It encourages the recognition and appreciation of the outstanding qualities found in a godly wife, fostering gratitude, love, and cherishment within the marriage relationship.
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 promotes the reverence and sanctity of marriage. It calls for the utmost honor to be given to the institution of marriage and emphasizes the importance of maintaining sexual purity within the marital relationship.
It serves as a reminder of the accountability each spouse has before God for the commitments made within marriage and warns against the consequences of sexual immorality and infidelity.
Proverbs 12:4
“An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.”
This verse highlights the influence a wife has on her husband’s life. It sets forth the idea that a virtuous and noble wife brings honor and blessings to her husband, acting as a crown that adorns him.
Conversely, it warns against the consequences of a wife who brings shame and dishonor to her husband, likening her influence to rottenness that undermines his well-being and reputation.
Colossians 3:18-19
“Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.”
This verse emphasizes the mutual responsibilities and expectations within marriage. It calls for wives to submit to their husbands, aligning their submission with the Lord’s will, and encourages husbands to love their wives while exercising kindness and gentleness.
It presents a balanced view of marital roles, promoting mutual respect, understanding, and affection, with each spouse fulfilling their unique God-given roles within the context of a loving partnership.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“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; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
This well-known passage describes the characteristics of genuine and selfless love, often referred to as the “love chapter” in the Bible. It provides a comprehensive picture of the love that should permeate marriages, serving as a guiding principle for married couples.
It reminds couples of the importance of patience, kindness, humility, forgiveness, and perseverance, emphasizing the sacrificial nature of love and the importance of maintaining a loving and enduring relationship.
Proverbs 31:11-12
“The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.”
This verse speaks to the impact a wife can have on her husband, highlighting the trust and confidence he places in her. It depicts a wife who consistently brings blessings and prosperity to her husband’s life.
It challenges wives to be trustworthy and supportive, committed to the well-being and success of their husbands, fostering a harmonious and mutually beneficial partnership.
Proverbs 19:14
“House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.”
This verse underscores the divine providence behind the gift of a wise and discerning wife. It highlights that a woman who possesses wisdom, insight, and prudence is a blessing directly from the Lord.
It encourages husbands to appreciate and value the wisdom and discernment their wives bring to the marriage, recognizing it as a divine provision that contributes to the overall success and prosperity of the relationship.
Song of Solomon 8:6-7
“Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house, he would be utterly despised.”
This poetic and passionate passage from the Song of Solomon celebrates the strength and enduring nature of love. It portrays the intensity of love as a powerful force that cannot be extinguished or overcome by any earthly challenges.
It captures the depth of commitment and devotion that should characterize a marital relationship, reminding couples of the strength and resilience of love, even in the face of adversity.
Proverbs 14:1
“The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.”
This verse draws attention to the influence and impact a wife has on her family and household. It highlights the role of a wise woman in building a strong and harmonious home, while the absence of wisdom can lead to its destruction.
It calls wives to recognize their significant role and encourages them to cultivate wisdom, making choices that contribute to the well-being and stability of their families.
Proverbs 31:26
“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”
This verse acknowledges the power of a wife’s words and the impact they can have within her marriage and family. It emphasizes the importance of speaking with wisdom and kindness, using words to uplift, encourage, and impart wisdom.
It serves as a reminder for wives to consider the influence of their speech, recognizing the potential to build up or tear down their husbands and families through their words.
Proverbs 20:6
“Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?”
This verse highlights the rarity of finding a truly faithful and loyal husband. It suggests that many may profess love, but true faithfulness and unwavering commitment are rare qualities to discover.
It serves as a reminder for individuals to value and cherish a faithful spouse when found, placing a high premium on the virtue of loyalty within marriage.
Proverbs 5:18-19
“Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.”
This verse celebrates the physical intimacy and delight within the marriage relationship. It emphasizes the joy and satisfaction that a husband should find in his wife, urging him to cherish her and be captivated by her love.
It encourages couples to cultivate a deep and passionate affection for one another, embracing the gift of sexual intimacy within the bounds of marriage.
Proverbs 31:30
“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
This verse emphasizes the true worth and value of a woman, extending beyond outward appearances. It suggests that external charm and beauty can be deceiving and fleeting, but a woman who reveres and fears the Lord is deserving of praise.
It encourages individuals to prioritize godly character and virtue when seeking a life partner, recognizing the enduring significance of a woman’s heart and devotion to the Lord.
1 Peter 4:8
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”
This verse highlights the overarching importance of love within the marriage relationship. It emphasizes the need for persistent and heartfelt love towards one another, as love has the power to forgive and reconcile.
It encourages couples to approach their relationship with grace and forgiveness, demonstrating a love that is willing to overlook mistakes and flaws, fostering unity and harmonious partnership.
1 Peter 3:1-2
“Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct.”
This verse speaks to the influential role a wife can have on her husband’s faith and obedience to God’s Word. It encourages respectful and godly conduct, even towards husbands who may not yet be believers, emphasizing that actions can often speak louder than words.
It illustrates the potential impact of a wife’s godly behavior on her husband’s spiritual journey, encouraging wives to be examples of Christ’s love and redemption within their marriages.
Genesis 24:67
“Then Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother and took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. So, Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.”
This verse highlights the beauty and significance of marital love and the comfort it can bring. It portrays Isaac’s love for Rebekah, culminating in their marriage and the comfort he found in their relationship after the loss of his mother.
It serves as a reminder of the comfort and solace that a loving and supportive spouse can provide, demonstrating the power of love to heal and bring emotional well-being within the context of marriage.
Proverbs 17:9
“Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.”
This verse underscores the importance of forgiveness and the role it plays in fostering love and unity. It encourages individuals to choose love by extending grace and covering the offenses of others, rather than gossiping or dwelling on past mistakes.
It promotes the practice of forgiveness within marriage, recognizing its ability to preserve harmony and deepen the bond between spouses.
1 Corinthians 7:3-5
“The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”
This passage addresses the importance of sexual intimacy and mutual fulfillment within marriage. It emphasizes the rights and responsibilities of both spouses to meet each other’s needs and highlights the significance of regular and satisfying sexual intimacy.
While acknowledging the need for prayer and mutual agreement, it encourages couples to prioritize and protect their sexual relationship as a means of avoiding temptation and maintaining a strong bond within marriage.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
“Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
This passage emphasizes the strength and advantage found in unity within marriage. It illustrates the benefits of companionship, support, and protection that come from two people working together and sharing life’s burdens.
It encourages couples to lean on one another in times of difficulty and emphasizes the resilience and stability that can be found in a strong marital bond.