73 Bible Verses About Love, Relationships & Marriage

How to Use These Bible Verses in Your Wedding

• Ceremony readings: Pair a classic New Testament passage on love with a complementary Old Testament text for balance.
• Vows and promises: Short verses about unity, devotion and faithfulness fit well as vow lines or call-and-response.
• Programs and signage: Use brief, memorable lines on welcome signs, seating charts or favor tags.
• Toasts and speeches: Integrate a verse, then offer one to two lines of personal reflection that connects it to the couple.
• Marriage preparation: Choose one verse per week to reflect on together leading up to the big day.

Classic Bible Verses About Love

These passages define Christian love and remain favorites for wedding ceremonies and anniversary celebrations.

• 1 Corinthians 13:4–8a: Love is patient and kind; it does not envy or boast; it rejoices with the truth. Ideal for ceremony readings and programs.
• 1 Corinthians 13:13: Faith, hope and love abide, but the greatest is love. Perfect for signage and keepsakes.
• Romans 12:10: Be devoted to one another in love; honor one another above yourselves. Excellent for vows and family blessings.
• 1 John 4:7–12: Let us love one another, for love is from God; we love because he first loved us. Works well in homilies and devotions.
• Colossians 3:12–14: Clothe yourselves with compassion; above all these, put on love which binds everything together in perfect unity.

Tip: Pair a longer reading (1 Corinthians 13) with a shorter line (Romans 12:10) to create rhythm in the ceremony.

Marriage, Union and Covenant

These Scriptures highlight God’s design for marriage, unity and lifelong commitment.

• Genesis 2:24: A man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. Foundational for unity ceremonies.
• Matthew 19:4–6: What God has joined together, let no one separate. Often used when the officiant pronounces the couple married.
• Mark 10:6–9: Reaffirms the creation design of marriage and its permanence.
• Ecclesiastes 4:9–12: Two are better than one; a cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Beautiful for unity braid ceremonies and readings.
• Proverbs 18:22: He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.
• Malachi 2:14–16: The Lord is witness to the covenant; be faithful to the spouse of your youth.

Companionship, Friendship and Everyday Care

Marriage is a partnership of mutual support, joy and daily kindness.

• Proverbs 17:17: A friend loves at all times. Emphasizes loyal companionship.
• Proverbs 27:17: Iron sharpens iron. A reminder to help each other grow.
• Ephesians 4:2–3: Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Encouraging for conflict resolution.
• Philippians 2:2–4: Consider others above yourselves; look to the interests of one another. Strong marriage mindset verse.
• Galatians 6:2: Carry each other’s burdens. Practical for daily partnership.

Faithfulness, Forgiveness and Peace

These verses speak to reconciliation, grace and the ongoing choice to pursue peace together.

• Colossians 3:13: Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
• Ephesians 4:26–27: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.
• 1 Peter 4:8: Love covers a multitude of sins.
• Romans 12:18: As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
• James 1:19–20: Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

Husband and Wife: Mutual Love and Respect

Scripture calls spouses to a pattern of Christlike love and mutual honor.

• Ephesians 5:21–33: Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ; husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church.
• Colossians 3:18–19: Wives and husbands are exhorted to respect and love each other in the Lord.
• 1 Peter 3:1–7: Encourages inner beauty, understanding and honoring one another.
• Titus 2:3–5: Wisdom for loving marriages and sound homes.
• Proverbs 31:10–12, 25–28: A portrait of character, strength and mutual praise.

Joy, Romance and Delight

Biblical love includes celebration, delight and poetic devotion—beautiful for romantic moments in your ceremony.

• Song of Songs 3:4: I have found the one whom my soul loves. A favorite for signage and vows.
• Song of Songs 4:7: You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you. A tender vow line or toast.
• Song of Songs 8:6–7: Love is strong as death; many waters cannot quench love. Powerful for readings.
• Proverbs 5:18–19: Rejoice in the wife of your youth. Celebrates marital joy.
• Ecclesiastes 9:9: Enjoy life with the one you love all your fleeting days. A poetic reception reading.

Hope, Perseverance and God’s Help

Marriage is strengthened by hope and sustained by God’s faithful presence.

• Romans 5:3–5: Suffering produces endurance; God’s love is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
• Romans 15:5–6: May the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you unity.
• Psalm 127:1–2: Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.
• Psalm 37:4–5: Delight in the Lord; commit your way to him. Good for prayer portions of the ceremony.
• Isaiah 40:31: Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

Blessing, Provision and Gratitude

Verses of blessing are ideal for benedictions, family prayers and meal blessings.

• Numbers 6:24–26: The Lord bless you and keep you. Timeless benediction.
• Psalm 128:1–4: Blessed are all who fear the Lord; your spouse will be like a fruitful vine.
• James 1:17: Every good and perfect gift is from above. Beautiful for gratitude moments.
• Philippians 4:6–7: Present your requests to God; the peace of God will guard your hearts.
• 3 John 1:2: A prayer for wellness and prosperity.

Family, Home and Future

Marriage shapes households and generations with faith and love.

• Joshua 24:15: As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
• Deuteronomy 6:5–7: Love the Lord; teach these words diligently to your children.
• Psalm 103:17–18: The steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting to those who keep his covenant.
• Proverbs 22:6: Train up a child in the way he should go. Fits parenting blessings at weddings.
• Colossians 3:20–21: Counsel for family life marked by encouragement and care.

Short Bible Verses for Wedding Signs and Programs

• 1 Corinthians 16:14: Do everything in love.
• Song of Songs 2:16: My beloved is mine, and I am his.
• Ruth 1:16: Where you go I will go; your people will be my people.
• Psalm 118:24: This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
• Micah 6:8: Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly. Great for mission-minded couples.

Verses for Vows, Rings and Unity Ceremonies

• Unity braid or cord: Ecclesiastes 4:12—A cord of three stands is not quickly broken.
• Ring exchange: Hosea 2:19–20—I will betroth you to me forever in faithfulness.
• Candle or sand: Genesis 2:24—Two become one flesh.
• Vow emphasis: Ephesians 5:25—Husbands, love as Christ loved the church; Romans 12:10—Be devoted to one another in love.
• Parents’ blessing: Numbers 6:24–26—The Lord bless you and keep you.

Meaning Notes: What These Verses Emphasize

Use these concise insights to guide your selections.

• Unity from God: Marriage is a divine joining and sacred covenant that invites lifelong faithfulness and care.
• Love as action: Biblical love is patient, kind, truthful and persevering—more than sentiment, it is a daily practice.
• Mutual honor: Scripture calls both spouses to humility, respect and sacrificial service.
• Resilience in hardship: Hope in God provides strength to endure and grow through challenges.
• Generational vision: Marriage sets the tone for a home marked by faith, hospitality and instruction in love.

Sample Pairings for Your Ceremony

Consider pairing one longer reading with a brief refrain to create a meaningful flow.

• Love and unity: 1 Corinthians 13:4–8a + Matthew 19:6
• Devotion and delight: Romans 12:10 + Song of Songs 3:4
• Strength and hope: Ecclesiastes 4:12 + Romans 5:5
• Blessing and peace: Numbers 6:24–26 + Philippians 4:7
• Promise and practice: Ephesians 5:25 + Colossians 3:14

Table: Themes and Suggested Uses

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many Bible readings should we include in our ceremony?

Most couples choose one primary reading and one brief supporting verse, though two readings plus a short refrain also works well. Aim for a total reading time under five minutes to maintain flow.

Which verses are best for non-denominational ceremonies?

1 Corinthians 13:4–8a, Ruth 1:16, Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 and Romans 12:10 are widely appreciated and accessible, even for guests with diverse backgrounds.

Can we incorporate Scriptures into vows without reading long passages?

Yes. Use short lines such as “I will honor you” (Romans 12:10), “I will forgive as I have been forgiven” (Colossians 3:13), or “I will seek peace with you” (Romans 12:18) as vow commitments.

Are there verses specifically about the permanence of marriage?

Genesis 2:24 and Matthew 19:6 emphasize that marriage unites two into one and that what God joins, people should not separate—foundational for covenant vows.

What if we want a romantic, poetic feel?

Consider the Song of Songs (3:4; 4:7; 8:6–7) for lyrical language that celebrates beauty, devotion and enduring love.