Bible verses for weddings and marriage
Marriage begins on the first pages of the Bible, where God Himself brings the woman to the man. Jesus did His first miracle at a wedding in Cana (John 2:1–11), and the Bible closes with the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7–9). Paul even calls the union of husband and wife a picture of Christ and His church (Ephesians 5:31–32).
The Bible is honest that marriage takes work. Two people with their own weaknesses promise to love, forgive and stay faithful for life, and they need God’s help to keep that promise.
These verses are gathered for the wedding ceremony, for a card or an invitation, and for couples who want to remember God’s design in the years after the wedding day.
God’s design for marriage
And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him.
Gen 2:18 · King James Version (1769)
After each day of creation God called His work good, and Jamieson, Fausset and Brown point out that man’s being alone is the first thing God calls not good. The woman is made as a helper suited to him, his partner and counterpart.
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Gen 2:24 · King James Version (1769)
These words set the pattern for every marriage: leaving parents, holding fast to one’s wife and becoming one flesh. Jesus quotes them as the word of the Creator Himself (Matthew 19:4–5).
Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
Matt 19:6 · King James Version (1769)
When asked about divorce, Jesus points back to the beginning. Albert Barnes explains that God made one man and one woman, which shows the original design of marriage: two people joined by God for life.
A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
Ps 127:1 · King James Version (1769)
The psalm is attributed to Solomon. Without God’s blessing our efforts cannot truly prosper, so many couples choose this verse as a prayer that the Lord will build their home.
Readings for the wedding ceremony
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
1 Cor 13:4–7 · King James Version (1769)
This is perhaps the most often read wedding passage. Paul first wrote it to a church divided by pride, and Matthew Henry calls love an utter enemy to selfishness.
Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.
Song 8:6–7 · King James Version (1769)
The bride asks to be set as a seal on her beloved’s heart and arm. A seal bore its owner’s name or image, and the words describe love as strong as death, which many waters cannot quench. Many commentators also see in the Song a picture of the love between God and His people.
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 that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Eccl 4:9–12 · King James Version (1769)
Two are better than one: they help each other up, keep each other warm and stand together. The passage speaks of companionship in general, but Jamieson, Fausset and Brown include marriage among these ties, and many couples see God as the third strand of the cord.
And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
Ruth 1:16 · King James Version (1769)
These words were spoken by Ruth to her mother-in-law Naomi, not to a husband. Matthew Henry sees in them a soul choosing the better part, since Ruth chose Naomi’s God as her own, and couples use them as a picture of faithful, lifelong commitment.
Love that lasts
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Eph 5:25 · King James Version (1769)
Paul sets the measure of a husband’s love: as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her. Christ’s love is sincere, pure and constant in spite of the church’s failures, and that is the kind of love asked of husbands.
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Col 3:12–14 · King James Version (1769)
As long as we live in this world, Matthew Henry writes, quarrels will sometimes arise, so we must forgive one another as Christ forgave us. Love is the bond that holds all the other virtues together, which makes this passage good advice for every married couple.
Let all your things be done with charity.
1 Cor 16:14 · King James Version (1769)
A short verse often chosen for a wedding card. Paul wrote it to Corinthians who were doing many things in a spirit of rivalry: whatever we do, it should be done in love.
Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
Heb 13:4 · King James Version (1769)
The verse is an encouragement to treat marriage as honorable in everyone’s eyes. It also calls husband and wife to keep the marriage bed pure and stay faithful to each other.
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favor of the LORD.
Prov 18:22 · King James Version (1769)
A good wife is a gift from the Lord. Barnes suggests that the proverb looks at marriage as it should be, seeing in every true union God’s hand joining a man and a woman for their mutual good.
May your marriage be built on Christ, and may His love teach you to love each other well.