35 Examples of Marriage Vows in the Bible for Couples
Marriage is a deeply meaningful commitment, and many couples seek guidance from Scripture when forming their vows. While traditional wedding vows aren’t explicitly outlined in the Bible, Scripture offers powerful verses on love, loyalty, and respect that can inspire these promises.
This article explores marriage vows in the Bible through verses that emphasize devotion, faithfulness, and mutual support, providing a biblical foundation for couples looking to deepen their bond. Whether you’re planning a wedding or simply seeking to strengthen your relationship, these passages offer timeless wisdom for creating a marriage rooted in love and faith.
Key Bible Verses That Reflect Marriage Vows
The Bible provides guidance for marriage through powerful verses that address love, commitment, faithfulness, and mutual respect—principles that form the foundation of strong marriage vows. Here are key verses in each category to inspire your own vows.
Love and Commitment
1. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud… It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
This passage emphasizes the enduring and selfless nature of true love, a core principle in marriage vows.
2. Ephesians 5:25:
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
This verse highlights the sacrificial love spouses are called to give, symbolizing deep devotion.
3. Ruth 1:16-17:
“Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.”
Ruth’s vow to Naomi reflects loyalty and commitment, often adapted for marriage vows as a pledge of unwavering love.
4. Song of Solomon 8:7:
“Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away.”
This verse poetically captures the strength of love that withstands challenges, a beautiful sentiment for marriage.
5. John 15:12:
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
Emphasizing Jesus’ call to love, this verse encourages selfless love as the heart of a marriage.
Faithfulness and Loyalty
1. Matthew 19:6:
“So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
This verse underscores the sacred and unbreakable bond of marriage, a core element of faithfulness.
2. Proverbs 3:3-4:
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.”
This passage encourages loyalty and devotion, urging couples to make faithfulness a central aspect of their lives together.
3. Song of Solomon 6:3:
“I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.”
A statement of mutual belonging and exclusivity, this verse beautifully represents commitment and fidelity in marriage.
4. Hosea 2:19-20:
“I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion.”
A reflection of God’s covenantal love, this verse mirrors the eternal commitment found in marriage vows.
5. Psalm 85:10:
“Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.”
This verse highlights the harmony that comes from a relationship rooted in love and loyalty.
Mutual Respect and Honor
1. Ephesians 5:33:
“However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”
This verse stresses the importance of mutual respect and cherishing each other, a key element in marriage vows.
2. 1 Peter 3:7:
“Husbands, in the same way, be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect…”
This verse encourages treating each other with honor and understanding, essential for a strong, respectful marriage.
3. Philippians 2:3:
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”
A call to humility and placing each other’s needs first, this verse reflects the respectful nature of marriage.
4. Romans 12:10:
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
This verse promotes selfless devotion and honor, encouraging couples to cherish and respect each other deeply.
5. Proverbs 31:10-11:
“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.”
This passage celebrates the value of a loving and respectful relationship where both partners trust and honor each other.
Examples of Biblical Promises Often Used in Marriage Vows
While the Bible doesn’t contain specific marriage vows, it offers a wealth of promises that serve as beautiful inspiration for wedding ceremonies. These promises convey enduring values like love, commitment, support, and faithfulness—qualities essential for a strong, lasting marriage. Here are examples of biblical promises often adapted for use in marriage vows.
The Covenant of Love
1. Malachi 2:14:
“The Lord was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.”
This verse underscores the sacred nature of marriage as a covenant, reflecting a serious, lifelong promise between two people witnessed by God.
2. Jeremiah 31:3:
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”
Couples may draw from this verse to express a commitment to enduring love and kindness, inspired by God’s own love for His people.
3. Psalm 136:1:
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.”
This passage inspires vows to mirror God’s enduring love, promising steadfast love and gratitude in the marriage.
4. 1 John 4:12:
“If we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”
This verse reflects a promise to let God’s love be the foundation of the marriage, honoring each other as vessels of His love.
5. Isaiah 54:10:
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken.”
This verse conveys a vow of unwavering love that endures through all of life’s challenges, reflecting strength in commitment.
Commitment Through Adversity
1. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12:
“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.”
This passage provides a promise of support and resilience, committing to lift each other up through life’s struggles.
2. Isaiah 41:10:
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.”
Couples may use this as inspiration to promise unwavering support, especially during difficult times, with faith as their foundation.
3. Romans 8:38-39:
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life… will be able to separate us from the love of God.”
This powerful verse can symbolize a promise to remain united in love, no matter the obstacles that arise.
4. 2 Corinthians 1:4:
“He comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble.”
Inspired by God’s comfort, this verse reflects a vow to comfort and support each other in moments of distress.
5. Psalm 46:1:
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
This verse is often used to promise steadfastness and a willingness to be each other’s “refuge” in difficult times.
Serving Each Other in Love
1. Galatians 5:13:
“Serve one another humbly in love.”
This verse encourages couples to make a vow of selfless service, promising to prioritize each other’s well-being with humility.
2. John 13:34:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
Reflecting Jesus’ example, this verse encourages couples to serve each other with unconditional love and care.
3. Philippians 2:4:
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
A promise inspired by this verse reflects the importance of considering each other’s needs and placing them above personal desires.
4. Mark 10:45:
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.”
Inspired by Jesus’ example, this verse provides a foundation for vows centered on serving one another in marriage.
5. Romans 12:15:
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
This verse captures a promise of deep empathy and shared experiences, committing to celebrate and support each other through all emotions.
Faith and Spiritual Partnership
1. Joshua 24:15:
“But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Couples often use this verse to declare a mutual commitment to a marriage built on faith, with God at the center of their relationship.
2. Amos 3:3:
“Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?”
This verse underscores the value of unity and shared purpose, a pledge to walk through life together with shared goals and values.
3. Psalm 37:4:
“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Couples may incorporate this verse into their vows as a reminder to seek joy in their spiritual connection, trusting God’s guidance.
4. Colossians 3:16:
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom.”
This verse encourages a promise of spiritual partnership, to support each other’s faith journeys and grow together in wisdom.
5. Matthew 18:20:
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
This verse offers a vow of unity in faith, pledging to create a home where God’s presence is always welcome.
