Scripture celebrates husband and wife as one: "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh" (Genesis 2:23), and "I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me" (Song of Solomon 7:10). It also invites couples to pray together: "if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them" (Matthew 18:19).
Married couples look for Bible verses for anniversary cards, Valentine's Day, a couples devotional, or simply to pray together before bed. These twelve King James verses are chosen for couples who are already married, not for the wedding day: verses to share with each other, married couples of the Bible whose stories still teach, and Scriptures for praying and growing together year after year. For wedding readings, see a wedding; for the covenant itself, see love and marriage.
Bible verses for married couples to share
1. Genesis 2:23
"And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man."
These are the first recorded words of a husband about his wife: wonder, belonging and joy. Bone of my bones is the language of family, and the next verse says the two become one flesh (Genesis 2:24). Many couples still use it in anniversary cards.
2. Song of Solomon 7:10
"I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me."
The bride rests in belonging: she is his, and he desires her. Marriage in Scripture is not only duty; it includes delight. See love and relationship for more from the Song.
3. 1 Corinthians 11:11
"Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord."
In the Lord, the man is not without the woman, nor the woman without the man. Husbands and wives need each other and stand together before God as heirs together of the grace of life (1 Peter 3:7).
4. Romans 12:16
"Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits."
Be of the same mind toward one another, not proud and not wise in your own eyes. Humility is one of the best gifts a spouse can give, especially in a disagreement.
Married couples of the Bible
5. 1 Samuel 1:8
"Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?"
Elkanah saw Hannah weeping over her childlessness and asked if he was not better to her than ten sons. He could not fix her grief, but he noticed it and stayed close. Hannah then poured out her heart to God (1 Samuel 1:10-11).
6. Luke 1:6
"And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless."
Zacharias and Elisabeth were both righteous before God. They served Him together through long years of disappointment, and in old age God gave them John the Baptist. It is a lovely Advent story for couples. See Advent.
7. Matthew 1:24
"Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:"
Joseph obeyed the angel and took Mary as his wife, protecting her from shame. The Christmas story includes a husband's quiet faith and courage. See Christmas.
8. Acts 18:26
"And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly."
Aquila and Priscilla worked side by side as tentmakers (Acts 18:2-3) and served side by side in ministry, taking Apollos into their home to teach him. Couples can share a calling as well as a house.
Praying and growing together
9. Matthew 18:19
"Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven."
Jesus promised that when two agree in prayer, the Father hears. Praying together, even for two minutes a day, is one of the strongest habits a married couple can build. See the power of prayer.
10. Romans 15:7
"Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God."
Receive one another, as Christ also received us. Accepting your spouse as Christ accepted you, long before you were perfect, makes room for real change and real rest.
11. 1 John 4:12
"No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us."
No one has seen God, but when we love one another, God dwells in us. A loving marriage is one way the invisible God becomes visible to children, friends and neighbors.
12. Deuteronomy 24:5
"When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business: but he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken."
In Israel a newly married man was free from war and business for a year to cheer up his wife. The principle still helps: guard time for each other, especially in the first year and in busy seasons.
A short prayer
Lord, thank You for my husband or wife. Make us one in mind and heart, quick to receive each other and slow to grow proud. Teach us to pray together and to serve You side by side, like Aquila and Priscilla. Let our love make Your love visible, through every season and every year You give us. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
Study and pray side by side with the Starter Bundle · Pray for your spouse daily with the 30-Day Prayer Journal · Learn a verse together each week with the Scripture Memory Cards
Frequently asked questions
What is a good Bible verse for a married couple?
Popular choices include "a threefold cord is not quickly broken" (Ecclesiastes 4:12), Genesis 2:24, Song of Solomon 7:10 and 1 Corinthians 13:7. For an anniversary card, "Many waters cannot quench love" (Song of Solomon 8:7) is a favorite. See love and marriage for more.
What does the Bible say about couples praying together?
Jesus promised that when two agree in prayer, the Father will do it (Matthew 18:19), and Peter tells husbands to honor their wives "that your prayers be not hindered" (1 Peter 3:7). Start small: pray for each other by name and for one shared concern each day.
What Bible verses work for a couples devotional?
Try one verse a week: Romans 12:16, Romans 15:7, Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:14 and 1 John 4:12 work well. Read it together, ask what it means for your home this week, and pray it back to God. Our Starter Bundle pairs a study journal and a prayer journal you can use side by side.
What Bible verse is good for an older couple or a long anniversary?
Isaiah 46:4 promises God's care "even to hoar hairs" (Isaiah 46:4), Psalm 92:14 says the righteous "shall still bring forth fruit in old age" (Psalm 92:14), and Luke 1:6 honors Zacharias and Elisabeth, a faithful couple in their later years. For hard seasons, see marriage problems.
A loving marriage never includes threats, control or violence. If you are being harmed, please reach out for help. In the US, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or call 911 if you are in immediate danger.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses about love and marriage · Bible verses for a wedding · Bible verses for husbands · Bible verses about a wife · Bible verses about love and relationship · Bible verses for Valentine's Day · Bible verses about marriage problems
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