What The Bible Says About Marriage

Marriage is an institution created by God. God created a man and a woman and united them to be "as one flesh".

The Bible speaks of marriage on many, many different occasions and there are more than enough scriptures that teach us of the sanctity of marriage.

(Genesis 2:24 NKJV) Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Marriage is a commitment and a vow made between a man and a woman that is intended to be lifelong. It is not something intended to be done as a test or a trial. Marriage should not be entered into with a "let's try it and see" attitude.

(Matthew 19:6 NKJV) "So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."

The Bible also lays down very specific guidelines with regard to how a husband and wife are to treat each other and the roles they are to take on as a married couple

Men are to be the head of the household, providing leadership and protection over his wife and his family. They are to lead, but not to dominate, abuse or bully.

Husbands are to show their wives the utmost love and affection, caring for them and loving them as Christ loved the church.

Nowhere in God's word does it ever say that a husband should lord his leadership authority over his wife or his family. Everything is to be done in love.

If a man becomes a believer (follower of Christ) but his wife does not, he should never look down on her or condemn her for not believing. Instead, he should love her, show her kindness, compassion and mercy, being am example of Christ's love.

(Ephesians 5:25-28 NKJV) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, {26} that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, {27} that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. {28} So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.

Wives are to love and honor their husbands and care for them, showing them the respect they are due as the leaders of the home. Wives should not nag their husbands or be quarrelsome.

If a woman becomes a believer (follower of Christ) but the husband does not, the woman should love the husband and be a godly example to him with her love, kindness and compassion, showing Christ's example.

(1 Peter 3:1-2 NKJV) Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, {2} when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.

The Bible says so much more about marriage and related topics, such as faithfulness, adultery, sex, divorce and more.

So if you're in need of answers about marriage, dig into God's word and see what He has to say. The answers you find are sure to make your marriage stronger. Or if you're not yet married, you will learn what it takes to have a happy, rewarding, successful marriage before you ever say "I Do".