Bible Answers

What Does the Bible Say About Marriage?

The Bible presents marriage as a covenant instituted by God at creation: a man and a woman leaving their families, being joined together, and becoming "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). Jesus affirms this design and adds, "What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate" (Mark 10:9), underscoring marriage's permanence and seriousness.

The New Testament fills that covenant with sacrificial love. Husbands are told to love their wives "as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it" (Ephesians 5:25), and the famous "love is patient, love is kind" passage (1 Corinthians 13) describes the daily shape of that love. Marriage in Scripture is both a gift and a calling — a lifelong partnership meant to reflect God's faithful, self-giving love.

Key Bible Verses

Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his wife, and they will be one flesh.

Genesis 2:24 (WEB)

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it,

Ephesians 5:25 (WEB)

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;

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (WEB)

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible (public domain).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is God's design for marriage?
Genesis 2:24 describes marriage as a man and woman being joined and becoming 'one flesh,' a lifelong covenant. Jesus affirms this in Mark 10, and the New Testament calls spouses to sacrificial, Christlike love.