What does the Bible say about marriage? The Bible tells us that God created marriage as a holy union to be a blessing to people everywhere. The Bible also teaches us the importance of honoring marriage, the essential role each spouse plays, and how to uphold it as a covenant between husband and wife.
God has written the blueprint of marriage and He has ordered it to be honored, protected, and even kept in a special place in our hearts, away from all other relationships. In Genesis 2:24, God told Adam and Eve that “the two shall become one flesh”, signifying the unity and respect of their relationship.
The Bible encourages husbands and wives to treat each other with love and respect, to “honor each other above all else (1 Peter 3:7)”, and to “fulfill your marital duties to each other (Ephesians 5:22)” .The Scriptures also promote understanding, communication, and kindness in marriage. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, it is stated that “love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude.”
It is important to note that the Bible does not permit divorce under any circumstance, other than adultery. However, it does allow for the idea of reconciliation when one spouse commits adultery, as it is written in Matthew 5:32, “Nevertheless, I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
Marriage is a holy gift from God and should be treasured as such, it is a lifelong covenant that two people make to love and care for each other through their journey of life together. A marriage not just about partners, but about God and His place in their lives.
Commitment
The Bible encourages couples to remain committed to one another and to have faith in their own relationship as well as faith in God. Jesus’ teaching about marriage in Matthew 19:4-6 also makes it clear that once a couple is married, they are to remain together, “‘Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?”
Living out commitment in marriage can be difficult, especially when there are conflicts or hardships that can make it difficult to love or understand one another. Nevertheless, God’s plan for marriage is to remain strong by cultivating a healthy and intimate relationship with Him and also by abiding in His love and grace.
Respect
Respect is a fundamental part of a healthy marriage, and the Bible instructs us to respect our spouses even more than we respect ourselves. Ephesians 5:33 states “each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” Showing respect for our partners shows our commitment to the relationship and allows spouses to build affectionate bonds.
Respect not only means honoring and protecting your spouse, but also listening to one another, understanding each other’s perspectives, and celebrating each other’s gifts and accomplishments. Couples can also demonstrate respect by being slow to anger and quick to offer grace, and by standing up for one another even when it is difficult.
TeamWork
Marriage is not just about individual partners, it is about working together as a team. In biblical times, marriage formed an important part of the community, and was seen as the foundation for a stable family unit. In this way, marriage allows for two people to walk their paths together and support each other through good and bad times.
The Bible elevates teamwork in marriage, it speaks of different roles, but of two people working as one team (Genesis 2:24, Romans 7:2-3, 1 Peter 3:7). God intended marriage to be an example to His people of how two can live in harmony, in strength and in unity.
Forgiveness
The Bible teaches us that in marriage, disagreements, deep hurts, and even betrayals can happen. The Bible however is clear that when such things occur, we must strive for forgiveness, seek mercy, and remember to show grace. Ephesians 4:31-32 commands us to “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Forgiveness is an important component of any marriage, as it allows us to move on from past hurts and mistakes and look forward to a more loving and meaningful relationship. This can help couples to create strong bonds of love and understanding that can last the rest of their lives together.
Faith & Devotion
Finally, The Bible speaks to the importance of faith in marriage, and reminds us that our marriages can be strengthened and sustained by a shared faith. 1 Corinthians 7:13-14 tells us to “live in harmony with one another;…according to God’s commands, each husband should love his wife as he loves himself, and each wife should respect her husband.”
It is essential that couples prioritize their devotion to God, as it strengthens the bond they share and keeps their marriage rooted in faith and trusting in God. Couples can also build a devoted relationship to one another based on their commitment to their faith and their deep love for one another.
Boundaries & Rules
The Bible also speaks about boundaries and rules for marriage. In the Book of Proverbs, it is written “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid (Proverbs 12:1).” This is a wise reminder of the importance of setting boundaries in marriage and of having a plan for dealing with disagreements between spouses. It is also a reminder of the need for couples to communicate their expectations clearly to each other and to patiently address any areas of strife.
God has written the blueprint of marriage, and He wants us to keep this union safe and secure, to value His wisdom and respect each other’s feelings. Setting boundaries and rules helps to keep a marriage strong and safe and can prevent unhealthy arguments and tension. This can help couples to build a better understanding of one another and to enjoy a long and lasting relationship in His will.
Prayers & Worship
The Bible also encourages couples to pray together and to worship together. It reminds us that the relationship between God and the couple is a priority, and that when couples do things with the Lord in mind, it can help to bring them closer together. In Ephesians 5:15-17, it is written “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
The Bible also teaches us to “serve one another with love (Galatians 5:13)”, to “rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, and be persistent in prayer (Romans 12:12)” and to “be devoted to one another in love (Romans 12:10)”. Praying and worshipping together can help couples to strengthen their bond and can be a source of comfort and strength in times of trouble.
Sacrifice & Compromise
The Bible also speaks about sacrifice and compromise in marriage. In Colossians 3:13, it is written “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” In this way, couples are encouraged to show grace and mercy to each other and to be willing to compromise and to make sacrifices when needed in order to make the marriage stronger.
Sacrifice and compromise can help couples to understand one another better and to create a balanced relationship. It can also help to keep the marriage strong and to work through conflicts in a peaceful manner. Even in dealings with outside influences, a couple can benefit from learning to put their own relationship first, to forgive one another, and to come to an agreement together.
Good Communication
Good communication between couples is also part of a successful marriage. The Bible tells us to “speak with honesty and integrity” which can help to “build strong, healthy relationships (Colossians 4:6).” In this way, couples can learn to be open with one another and to share their thoughts, opinions, and feelings openly.
Good communication can also help to prevent misunderstandings and can allow couples to build a deeper understanding and appreciation of one another. This can help to deepen the connection that a couple shares and to make their marriage stronger and more fulfilling.
