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What does the Bible say about abuse in a marriage?

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The Bible condemns cruelty and calls marriage to reflect Christlike love, honor, faithfulness, and peace, never domination or harm. Husbands are commanded to love their wives sacrificially and tenderly, not to be harsh with them, in Ephesians 5:25, 28 and Colossians 3:19; 1 Peter 3:7 likewise requires understanding and honor. Proverbs 15:1 commends a gentle answer, while Titus 3:2 calls all believers away from quarrelsomeness and toward meekness. God hates treacherous covenant-breaking (Malachi 2:16), yet Scripture does not require a victim to submit to ongoing danger or conceal evil. The church should protect the vulnerable, confront sin, seek repentance, and involve appropriate civil authorities where abuse occurs.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Colossians 3:19

    Husbands, love your wives, and don't be bitter against them.

  • 1 Peter 3:7

    You husbands, in like manner, live with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor to the woman, as to the weaker vessel, as being also joint heirs of the grace of life; that your prayers may not be hindered.

  • Proverbs 22:10

    Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; Yes, quarrels and insults will stop.

  • Ephesians 5:25

    Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it;

  • Ephesians 5:28

    Even so ought husbands also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself.

  • Proverbs 15:1

    A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

  • Malachi 2:16

    For I hate divorce," says Yahweh, the God of Israel, "and him who covers his garment with violence!' says Yahweh of Hosts. "Therefore take heed to your spirit, that you don't deal treacherously.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:14

    Don't be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? Or what communion has light with darkness?

  • Titus 3:2

    to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:12-16

    [12] But to the rest I--not the Lord--say, if any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is content to live with him, let him not leave her. [13] The woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he is content to live with her, let her not leave her husband. [14] For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now are they holy. [15] Yet if the unbeliever departs, let there be separation. The brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us in peace. [16] For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

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