“Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his wife, and they will be one flesh.”
Context: The foundational line quoted later by Jesus and Paul: leaving, joining, becoming one.
Bible Verses About Marriage
Marriage appears in Scripture as covenant rather than contract: a public, durable commitment with daily, unglamorous obligations attached.
These passages are often read at weddings. Reading them in their chapters shows they were mostly written for ordinary Tuesdays instead.
Compiled and reviewed by the Verse & Light editorial team · last reviewed 2026-09-20 · Scripture quoted from the World English Bible
The passages
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly and gave himself up for her,”
Context: The standard set for husbands is self-giving, measured against Christ's own sacrifice.
“Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.”
Context: Written to correct a quarrelsome church, which makes it a useful description of married love in practice.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another to lift him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one keep warm alone? If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
Context: A general passage about companionship — two are better than one because of what happens when one falls.
“Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.”
Context: Love as the garment that holds every other virtue together.
“Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies. The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.”
Context: A poem in praise of a capable wife; the emphasis falls on trust and enterprise.
Questions to sit with
- Which line of 1 Corinthians 13 is hardest in your marriage this month?
- What would 'becoming one' look like practically in your decisions?
- What could you thank your spouse for today, out loud?
A prayer
Original devotional writing by the Verse & Light editorial team — not part of the Bible text
God, make our love patient in the ordinary hours, not just the special ones. Teach us to forgive quickly and speak kindly. Amen.
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