Marriage According to God’s Heart
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Where does it say in the Bible about marriage?” you’re not alone. Marriage is one of the most talked-about and spiritually significant relationships in Scripture. From the very beginning of creation to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, the Bible gently and powerfully shows us what marriage is, why it matters, and how it reflects God’s love.
As someone who’s walked with many couples in love, in heartbreak, and in hope, I can tell you marriage is more than just a contract. It’s a covenant. And the Bible has so much wisdom to share about it.
In this article, we’ll explore what the Bible says about marriage where it’s mentioned, what it means, and how couples can walk in faith together.
What Is Marriage in the Bible?
The Bible doesn’t give us a long legal definition of marriage. Instead, it shows us what marriage is through stories, teachings, and examples.
At its core, biblical marriage is:
A sacred covenant between one man and one woman
Designed by God for companionship, love, and faithfulness
A mirror of Christ’s love for the Church
Let’s begin at the very start.
Genesis: The First Marriage
“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24
This verse is often read at weddings, and for good reason it’s the first clear teaching about marriage in Scripture.
In Genesis 2, God creates Eve as a helper and partner for Adam. Not as an afterthought, but as a companion who completes him. God Himself brings Eve to Adam, like a Father giving away a bride. This union is joyful, innocent, and pure. No shame, no fear just unity.
Here we see that:
Marriage is God-ordained
It involves leaving, uniting, and becoming one
It’s rooted in love and companionship
God didn’t create marriage as a burden it was a blessing from the start.
Marriage in the Law and Prophets
Throughout the Old Testament, marriage is spoken of with both seriousness and sacredness.
“If a man has recently married, he must not be sent to war or have any other duty laid on him. For one year he is to be free to stay at home and bring happiness to the wife he has married.” Deuteronomy 24:5
Even in Israel’s law, God showed care for newlyweds giving them space to grow together.
The prophets, too, used marriage as a powerful image to describe God’s relationship with His people. The book of Hosea, for example, shows how deeply God loves, even when His people are unfaithful just like a faithful spouse forgives and redeems.
Jesus and Marriage: A Higher Calling
When Jesus walked the earth, He didn’t ignore the subject of marriage. In fact, He elevated it.
“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?” Matthew 19:4–5
Jesus directly quotes Genesis, confirming God’s original design. But He goes even further.
“So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Matthew 19:6
Marriage, Jesus teaches, is not disposable. It’s not something to treat lightly. It’s holy, and God is the One who joins two hearts together.
This is a message we still need today when marriage can be seen as temporary, optional, or outdated. Jesus tells us that love, commitment, and unity still matter.
Paul’s Teaching: Marriage Reflects Christ’s Love
No discussion about biblical marriage is complete without turning to Ephesians 5.
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…” Ephesians 5:25
This verse is bold. It places marriage within a bigger story the Gospel. Husbands are called to love with the kind of love that sacrifices. Wives are called to respect and trust. It’s not about power or perfection. It’s about partnership.
Paul also reminds us:
Marriage is a picture of Christ and the Church
It involves mutual submission and love
It’s meant to be filled with grace, not control
Bible Verses for Married Couples
Whether you’ve been married 40 years or are just beginning the journey, the Bible offers encouragement for every season.
Here are a few key verses to hold onto:
Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 – “Two are better than one… If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”
1 Corinthians 13:4–7 – “Love is patient, love is kind… It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
Colossians 3:14 – “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Proverbs 18:22 – “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.”
These verses aren’t just poetic they’re practical. They guide couples through joy, conflict, forgiveness, and trust.
What If Marriage Gets Hard?
The Bible doesn’t pretend that marriage is always easy. It acknowledges the struggles:
“Those who marry will face many troubles in this life…” 1 Corinthians 7:28
Paul speaks honestly. Love requires work. Faithfulness demands forgiveness. Sometimes, emotions fade but commitment keeps us steady.
When marriage feels hard:
Go back to Scripture
Pray together
Seek counsel from trusted believers
Remember, your spouse is not the enemy Satan is
Even in the hard moments, God can restore what’s broken. He is a God of second chances.
How to Get Married According to the Bible
People often ask, “What does the Bible say about how to get married?”
The Bible doesn’t outline a modern wedding ceremony. But it does show us the principles:
Commitment before God and witnesses – Genesis, Ruth, and the Gospels show marriage as a public covenant, not a secret affair.
Unity of body, heart, and spirit – “One flesh” means physical intimacy and shared life.
Blessing of spiritual leaders – In many cases, leaders or elders were involved in confirming or witnessing the union.
A lifelong promise – Biblical marriage is not “as long as it feels good,” but “as long as we both shall live.”
Whether it’s in a church or a backyard, the heart of a biblical wedding is covenant before God, family, and each other.
A Prayer for Your Marriage
Let’s take a moment to invite God into our marriages or future ones.
Lord, thank You for the gift of marriage. Teach us to love with patience, to forgive with grace, and to walk together in faith. Be at the center of our relationship, guiding every step. Where there is pain, bring healing. Where there is distance, bring closeness. Where there is joy, let it overflow. Amen.
A Marriage Rooted in the Word
Marriage isn’t just a cultural idea it’s a divine design. From Adam and Eve to the teachings of Jesus, the Bible is clear: God values marriage deeply. He created it. He blesses it. And He wants it to reflect His love.
So, where does it say in the Bible about marriage? From Genesis to Revelation, it’s everywhere woven through Scripture like a thread of grace and promise.
Whether you’re preparing for marriage, growing in it, or praying for restoration, the Bible is your faithful guide. Lean on it. Learn from it. Let it shape your love.
