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Biblical Verses for Encouragement Before Marriage and Marriage

Marriage is presented in the Bible as a divinely instituted covenant relationship, intended for the happiness of humanity, the increase of population, and the raising of godly offspring [4]. From its origin in Genesis 2:18-25, several principles emerge, including the unity of man and wife, the indissolubility of the marriage bond, monogamy, the social equality of spouses, and the wife's subordination to the husband [8]. The Bible frequently uses marriage as a symbol for the covenant relationship between God and his people [13, 14].

For those contemplating marriage, and for those already married, various biblical passages offer encouragement and guidance.

Before Marriage

The Bible encourages careful consideration and prayer in the selection of a spouse. While not explicitly stated as a verse for encouragement before marriage, the principle that wives should not be chosen from among the ungodly is found in passages like Genesis 24:3 and 28:1 [10]. This implies a need for discernment and seeking a partner who shares one's faith. The concept of "sobriety" is commanded for all saints [7], which includes careful thought and self-control in all life decisions, including marriage. Psalms 119:147 expresses a reliance on God's word: "I rise before dawn and cry for help. I put my hope in your words" [6]. This verse can encourage individuals to seek God's guidance and wisdom through His word as they consider marriage.

The institution of marriage is seen as lawful and honorable for all [4]. The apostle Paul, in 1 Timothy 5:14, advises younger widows to marry, bear children, and manage their households, to prevent giving "occasion to the adversary for insulting" [5]. John Calvin interprets this as a directive for younger women to marry, bear children, and administer their homes, thereby avoiding opportunities for slander [17]. Tyndale House further clarifies that Paul is advising younger widows to remarry, specifically to believers [12]. This suggests that marriage is a good and proper path for many, offering a context for godly living and preventing potential pitfalls.

Within Marriage

Once married, the Bible provides extensive counsel for a flourishing relationship. Proverbs 5:18 encourages rejoicing in one's spouse: "Let your spring be blessed. Rejoice in the wife of your youth" [3]. Matthew Henry interprets this as an encouragement to enjoy the comforts of lawful marriage, which was ordained to prevent unchastity [16]. The marriage covenant is made in God's name, and the spouse is referred to as the "guide of your youth" [15].

The duties of wives to their husbands include love, reverence, faithfulness, submission, and obedience [10]. Ephesians 5:33 instructs wives to respect their husbands, while 1 Peter 3:1-7 describes the duties of wives and husbands to one another, emphasizing a meek and quiet spirit for wives [10, 18]. Wives are encouraged to adorn themselves not with outward ornaments, but with modesty, sobriety, and good works, and with a meek and quiet spirit [10].

Husbands are called to love their wives. The concept of families being "duly regulated" is found in Proverbs 31:27 and 1 Timothy 3:4-5, 12 [9]. Families are also encouraged to worship God together, live in unity, and practice mutual forbearance [9]. The blessing of families of saints is described in Psalm 128:3-6 [9].

The ultimate picture of marriage in the Bible points to a greater reality. Isaiah 62:5 uses the imagery of a bridegroom rejoicing over his bride to describe God's rejoicing over His people [1]. This foreshadows the "marriage of the Lamb" in Revelation 19:7, where the church, as the bride, has made herself ready for Christ [2]. John Gill notes that this passage calls for gladness and rejoicing at Christ's kingly power and the happy state of His church [11]. This eschatological vision of Christ and the Church as bride and groom provides a profound theological framework for understanding the sacredness and joy of human marriage.

Sources

  1. Isaiah “For as a young man marries a virgin, so your sons shall marry you; and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so your God will rejoice over you. -- Isaiah 62:5”
  2. Revelation “Let us rejoice and be exceedingly glad, and let us give the glory to him. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his wife has made herself ready.” -- Revelation 19:7”
  3. Proverbs “Let your spring be blessed. Rejoice in the wife of your youth. -- Proverbs 5:18”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Marriage — Divinely instituted -- Ge 2:24. A covenant relationship -- Mal 2:4. Designed for The happiness of man. -- Ge 2:18. Increasing the human population. -- Ge 1:28; 9:1. Raising up godly seed. -- Mal 2:15. Preventing fornication. -- 1Co 7:2. The expectation of the promised seed of the woman an incentive to, in the early age -- Ge 3:15; 4:1. Lawful in all -- 1Co 7:2,28; 1Ti 5:14. Honourable for all -- Heb 13:4. Should be only in the Lord -- 1Co 7:39. Expressed by Joining together. -- Mt 19:6. Making affinity. -- 1Ki 3:1. Taking to wife. -- Ex 2:1. Giving daughte”
  5. 1 Timothy “I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for insulting. -- 1 Timothy 5:14”
  6. Psalms “I rise before dawn and cry for help. I put my hope in your words. -- Psalms 119:147”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sobriety — Commanded -- 1Pe 1:13; 5:8. The gospel designed to teach -- Tit 2:11,12. With watchfulness -- 1Th 5:6. With prayer -- 1Pe 4:7. Required in Ministers. -- 1Ti 3:2,3; Tit 1:8. Wives of ministers. -- 1Ti 3:11. Aged men. -- Tit 2:2. Young men. -- Tit 2:6. Young women. -- Tit 2:4. All saints. -- 1Th 5:6,8. Women should exhibit, in dress -- 1Ti 2:9. We should estimate our character and talents with -- Ro 12:3. We should live in -- Tit 2:12. Motives to -- 1Pe 4:7; 5:8.”
  8. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Marriage — + Its origin and history .--The institution of marriage dates from the time of man's original creation. (Genesis 2:18-25) From (Genesis 2:24) we may evolve the following principles: (1) The unity of man and wife, as implied in her being formed out of man. (2) The indissolubleness of the marriage bond, except on; the strongest grounds, Comp. (Matthew 19:9) (3) Monogamy, as the original law of marriage (4) The social equality of man and wife. (5) The subordination of the wife to the husband. (1 Corinthians 11:8,9; 1 Timothy 2:13) (6) The respective duties of ”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Families — Of saints blessed -- Ps 128:3-6. Should Be taught the Scriptures. -- De 4:9,10. Worship God together. -- 1Co 16:19. Be duly regulated. -- Pr 31:27; 1Ti 3:4,5,12. Live in unity. -- Ge 45:24; Ps 133:1. Live in mutual forbearance. -- Ge 50:17-21; Mt 18:21,22. Rejoice together before God. -- De 14:26. Deceivers and liars should be removed from -- Ps 101:7. Warning against departing from God -- De 29:18. Punishment of irreligious -- Jer 10:25. Good -- Exemplified Abraham. -- Ge 18:19. Jacob. -- Ge 35:2. Joshua. -- Jos 24:15. David. -- 2Sa 6:20. Job. -- Job 1:5.”
  10. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Wives — Not to be selected from among the ungodly -- Ge 24:3; 26:34,35; 28:1. Duties of, to their husbands To love them. -- Tit 2:4. To reverence them. -- Eph 5:33. To be faithful to them. -- 1Co 7:3-5,10. To be subject to them. -- Ge 3:16; Eph 5:22,24; 1Pe 3:1. To obey them. -- 1Co 14:34; Tit 2:5. To remain with them for life. -- Ro 7:2,3. Should be adorned Not with ornaments. -- 1Ti 2:9; 1Pe 3:3. With modesty and sobriety. -- 1Ti 2:9. With a meek and quiet spirit. -- 1Pe 3:4,5. With good works. -- 1Ti 2:10; 5:10. Good Are from the Lord. -- Pr 19:14. Are a token of ”
  11. Revelation (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Revelation 19:7: Let us be glad, and rejoice, and give honour to him,.... The saints particularly; the converted Jews will call upon one another to express their gladness at the glorious display of Christ's kingly power and authority, and at the destruction of his enemies, and the happy and comfortable state of his church and people; and to rejoice in him as the Lord their righteousness and strength, and to give him the honour and glory of salvation, and to return him thanks for all the benefits they shall have received from him, particularly on account of what follows: for the ”
  12. 1 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Timothy 5:14: 5:14 Paul is advising younger widows to remarry—and to marry believers (5:11-12; cp. 2:15). • not . . . say anything against them: Their actions were hurting their testimony for the Good News (see 1 Thes 4:11-12; Titus 2:8).”
  13. Ezek (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezek 23:4: 23:4 Marriage is commonly used in the Bible as a symbol for the covenant relationship between God and his people (e.g., Isa 54:1-8; Eph 5:22-33). Adultery symbolizes Israel’s spiritual unfaithfulness (e.g., Hos 1–3). God makes his covenants in spite of, not because of, his people’s character (Rom 5:6-11).”
  14. Ezekiel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezekiel 23:4: 23:4 Marriage is commonly used in the Bible as a symbol for the covenant relationship between God and his people (e.g., Isa 54:1-8; Eph 5:22-33). Adultery symbolizes Israel’s spiritual unfaithfulness (e.g., Hos 1–3). God makes his covenants in spite of, not because of, his people’s character (Rom 5:6-11).”
  15. Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 2:17: guide . . . youth--lawful husband (Jer 3:4). covenant . . . God--of marriage made in God's name.”
  16. Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 5:15: Solomon, having shown the great evil that there is in adultery and fornication, and all such lewd and filthy courses, here prescribes remedies against them. I. Enjoy with satisfaction the comforts of lawful marriage, which was ordained for the prevention of uncleanness, and therefore ought to be made use of in time, lest it should not prove effectual for the cure of that which it might have prevented. Let none complain that God has dealt unkindly with them in forbidding them those pleasures which they have a natural desire of, for he has graciously provided for ”
  17. CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, section 22.1: 1 Timothy 5:14-16 14 . I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 14 . Volo igitur juniores nubere, liberos gignere, domum administrare, nullam occasionem dare adversario, ut habeat maledicendi causam. 15 . For some are already turned aside after Satan. 15 . Nonnullae enim jam deflexerunt post Satanam. 16 . If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve the”
  18. 1 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Peter 3 (introduction): Wherein the apostle describes the duties of husbands and wives one to another, beginning with the duty of the wife (Pe1 3:1-7). He exhorts Christians to unity, love, compassion, peace, and patience under sufferings; to oppose the slanders of their enemies, not by returning evil for evil, or railing for railing, but by blessing; by a ready account of their faith and hope, and by keeping a good conscience (Pe1 3:8-17). To encourage them to this, he proposes the example of Christ, who suffered, the just for the unjust, but yet punished the old world for ”
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