SCRIPTURES for Marriage to Bring You Closer

Scriptures for marriage Pixabay ring-2407552_1920We have a suggestion for you. Below you will find scriptures for marriage that can bring you closer together. Make a copy of these scriptures for your everyday use. Read one Bible passage a day, together with your spouse (if possible), for the next 142 days. After reading the passage(s) of the day, talk about each of these passages in light of marriage.

You can take a prayer/share walk together, or sit with each other enjoying cups of coffee or tea or soda or whatever. Use these scriptures as a springboard for time you spend in “couple time.” This is a good way to strengthen your marriage as a “chord of three strands.”

Scriptures for Marriage to Discuss

As you discuss these passages, you may find that you will not always think alike in how you see these scriptures applying to your marriage. But the main goal is to “think together” —to find ways to build relationship bridges. Your goal is to “walk together” through your marriage journey.

Sometimes deep discussion will ensue, and sometimes confession may be appropriate. There are times for apologies, but giving grace and building relationship bridges is also important. Look to be dispensers of grace, rather than vessels of criticism. This is a relationship building time with you, your spouse and God together in partnership. Be intentional in using these scriptures.

Pray Together

End your time together by praying for each other (either aloud or silently). Keep in mind that the purpose of spending this time with each other is to help you to grow in your spiritual intimacy. Read, listen attentively as the other shares, and listen for what God may be telling you about this particular principle for living.

Keep in mind that the principles for loving each other in your marriage, are the principles for living, as they are laid out in the Bible —God’s living Word. Below is just a sampling of some of the scriptures that you can use in your every day life together.

May God bless you in this effort!

Scriptures for Marriage to Get You Started:

• “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

• “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ —to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:9-11)

• “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!” (Romans 15:5-6)

• “Love suffers long, and is kind; love does not envy; does not promote itself, is not puffed up, does not behave badly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

Additional Scriptures for Your Marriage:

• “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32)

• “‘The man who hates and divorces his wife,’ says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘does violence to the one he should protect,’ says the LORD Almighty. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful.” (Malachi 2:16)

• “Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will cling to his wife: and they will be one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24)

• “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8)

• “Love flows through a marriage that lives up to mutual responsibility. Love is not self seeking, it’s not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrong.” (1 Corinthians 13:5)

• “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:24) Ask yourself: How can I spur him/her on to encouragement? “Let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25)

• “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for each other.” (1 John 3:16)

• “As far as it be within you be at peace with all men.” (Hebrews 10:24)

More Scriptures to Prayerfully Consider:

• “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:21)

• “Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.” (1 Corinthians 7:27-28)

• “The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

“I say this as a concession, not as a command. I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.” (1 Corinthians 7:3-11)

Additional Scriptures:

• “Among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.” (Ephesians 5:3-7)

• “You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible —and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: ‘Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'” (Ephesians 5:8-14)

• “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17)

Scriptures to Prayerfully Note:

• “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:18-20)

• “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.”

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church—for we are members of his body.” (Ephesians 5:21-30)

• “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” (Ephesians 5:31-33)

Additional Biblical Scriptures to Consider:

• “Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (Ephesians 4:15-16)

• “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (Proverbs 12:18) “It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.” (Proverbs 20:3)

Also Note:

“A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.” (Proverbs 29:11) “The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.” (Ecclesiastes 7:8)

• “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

• “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” (1 John 3:16)

• “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

• “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12:9-10)

• “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” (Romans 15:7)

More From the Bible Pertaining to Scriptures for Marriage:

• “If someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:1-2)

• “If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.” (Galatians 6:3-5)

• “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:7-8)

• “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:9-10)

• “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)

• “Each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” (Ephesians 4:25)

• “‘In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” (Ephesians 4:26-27)

Also:

• “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:29-30)

• “Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11) What would encourage you, which your spouse could do for you?

• “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:23-25)

• “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16)

• “We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them.” (2 Corinthians 5:20 -The Message)

• “Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.” (Ephesians 5:1-2, The Message)

Additionally:

• “If your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matthew 6:23)

• “Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.” (Luke 11:34-35)

• “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:5-7)

• “Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.” (1 John 2:9-11)

• “An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.” (Proverbs 24:26)

• “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)

Plus:

• “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable —if anything is excellent or praiseworthy —think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me —put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9)

• “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one —I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:20-23)

• “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification.” (Romans 14:19)

• “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:23)

• “Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies.” (Psalm 141:3-4)

• “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” (Romans 14:19)

More Scriptures:

• “Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up: a servant who becomes king, a fool who is full of food, an unloved woman who is married, and a maidservant who displaces her mistress.” (Proverbs 30:21-23)

• “If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven —if there was anything to forgive —I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” (2 Corinthians 2:10-11)

• “The lips of the righteous knows what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.” (Proverbs 10:32) “From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward.” (Proverbs 12:14) “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given.” (Proverbs 25:11)

• “Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.” (Proverbs 10:12)

• “Jesus said, ‘I came that they might have life and have it to the full.’” (John 10:10)

• “Take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” (James 1:19-21)

Additionally:

• “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it —they will be blessed in what they do.” (James 1:22-25)

• “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.” (James 1:26)

• “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:12-13)

• “What good is it, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:14-17)

Consider:

• “We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

“All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.” (James 3:2-12)

Prayerfully Consider:

• “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” (James 3:13-16)

• “The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” (James 3:17-18)

• “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. Know that you do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 3:1-3)

• “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” (James 4:4-6)

More Scriptures to Consider:

• “Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (James 4:7-10)

• “Do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?” (James 4:11-12)

• “You who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’ As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” (James 4:13-17)

• “Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!” (James 5:7-9)

Important Scriptures To Apply in the Marital Relationship:

• “He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.” (Proverbs 13:3)

• “My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. All of the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse.” (Proverbs 8:7-8)

• “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21) “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” (Proverbs 16:24)

• “Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.” (Proverbs 12:16) Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.” (Proverbs 13:3)

• “Love is not rude, it is not self-seeking; it is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrongs.” (1 Corinthians 13:5)

• “If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.” (Galatians 5:15)

• “Remind the people to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.” (Titus 3:2)

• “So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” (Matthew 19:6)

• “Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?” (Amos 3:3)

• “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.” (Ecclesiastes 5:2)

• “Serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:13-14)

Additional Scriptures:

• “Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.” (1 Corinthians 10:24)

• “Everything is permissible —but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible —but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.” (1 Corinthians 10:23-24)

• “If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.” (Galatians 6:15)

• “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:9-10)

• “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the Day of Judgment; for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:37)

• “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this —that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” (John 15:12-14)

• “Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:18).

• “Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer—may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.” (Proverbs 5:15-19)

Additional Biblical Verses for Marriage:

• “Since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.” (1 Corinthians 7:2-5)

• “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21)

• “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

• “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23)

• “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” (Romans 13:10)

• “Rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (1 Peter 2:1-3)

Plus:

• “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” (1 Peter 2:12)

• “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:8-12)

• “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” (1 Peter 4:8-9)

• “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:10-11)

• “Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” (1 Peter 5:5-6)

Additional Scriptures:

• “Humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” (1 Peter 5:6-9)

• “Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge. To knowledge, add self-control; and to self-control, perseverance. To perseverance, add godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.” (2 Peter 1:5-9)

• “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8)

More Scriptures for Marriage:

• “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do —this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

“So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:15-25)

Additional Scriptures to Apply to Your Marriage:

• “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God —this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2)

• “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

• “‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say—but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.” (1 Corinthians 10:23-24)

• “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.” (1 Corinthians 10:31-33)

• “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-20)

Prayerfully Consider, as it Applies to Marriage:

• “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)

• “You were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.” (Galatians 5:13-15)

• “As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:12-14)

• “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:15-17)

• “Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.” (Proverbs 26:12) “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.” (Proverbs 1:5) “The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.” (Proverbs 12:15)

Added Scriptures to Consider:

• “The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.” (Proverbs 15:14) “He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.” (Proverbs 15:31)

• “He who answers before listening —that is his folly and his shame.” (Proverbs 18:13)

• “The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.” (Proverbs 18:15) “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.” (Proverbs 19:20)

• “Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.” (Proverbs 23:12)

• “A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.” (Proverbs 16:23) “The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.” (Proverbs 10:29)

• “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (Proverbs 12:18)

• “A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.” (Proverbs 17:27-28)

• “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” (Proverbs 3:3-4)

• “Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is that Head, that is, Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15)

• “Put away perversity from your mouth keep corrupt talk far from your lips.” (Proverbs 4:24)

More Scriptures For Marriage:

• “Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse. Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you. Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.” (Proverbs 9:7-9)

• “‘Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!’ But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.” (Proverbs 9:17-18)

• “The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.” (Proverbs 10:8) “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense.” (Proverbs 10:19-21)

• “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall,” (Proverbs 16:18) “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” (Proverbs 11:2)

• “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” (Proverbs 11:3) “The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.” (Proverbs 11:5-6)

• “Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly” (Proverbs 14:29)  “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.” (Proverbs 19:11)

• “Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.” (Proverbs 17:14)

Scriptures to Live By in Your Marriage:

• “Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.” (Proverbs 17:19)

• “Whoever winks with their eye is plotting perversity; whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.” (Proverbs 16:30) “A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.” (Proverbs 17:24)

• “If you play the fool and exalt yourself, or if you plan evil, clap your hand over your mouth! For as churning cream produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife.” (Proverbs 30:32-33)

• “May the Lord direct your heart into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.” (2 Thessalonians 3:5) “Consider this prayer, in the light of the scripture: Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 2:2-4)

• “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.” (2 Corinthians 13:11-12)

If you have additional scriptures (or comments) you can share to help others, please “Join the Discussion” by adding them below.

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5 responses to “SCRIPTURES for Marriage to Bring You Closer

  1. (ZIM)  Thanks for the great article. It’s very, very true; we have to start living by the scriptures. I’m not at all perfect, I don’t live by the scriptures, all of them, but I do know them.

    My hope is that all brothers and sisters can help me pray for myself for strength. Since I got married all the scriptures have left my life. I have started to become weak in prayer. Although I know the scriptures I just can’t find a way to constantly live by them. Hence, because of this I feel that my prayers are constantly hindered.

  2. (UNITED STATES) My husband filed for divorce, but I will still pray this and live as I if am married. I pray my husband will know my love for God now, and how God has changed me.

  3. I have studied a lot of Christian based family and child development and have gotten many sessions of premarital counseling before we got married. I had come out of a very sinful life and God gave me a new life through him, and every day, I strive to grow closer to God, but I feel like there is something making it difficult to keep growing closer to God and doing what glorifies him. It feels like spiritual warfare because Satan doesn’t like that I am now on God’s side.

    These verses are very helpful and they open my eyes to God’s Truth. Thank you for all of these verses that you have picked out, I have them so that we can do them as our daily devotional that we do together. I have also sent the link to this page to a few other couples who are also striving to grow closer to God and tighten the triangle.

    Satan tries to make us feel like we are failing and are far from God’s hand, but scripture opens our eyes so that we can see the truth, and in turn, feel more confident and hopeful and peaceful about going to God and keep trying hard everyday to glorify god and choose things that honor him.

  4. I pray God heals my husbands heart so that God’s will be done. May his unfaithful ways be a thing of the past so that God’s perfect plan be revealed to him once he is repentant of his sinful ways. He will be a new creature in Christ. Amen. May all the glory be to God.