What does the Bible say about dating?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible does not describe modern dating directly, but it calls Christians to pursue relationships with purity, wisdom, self-control, and a view toward covenant marriage. Genesis 2:18 and 2:24 present marriage as God’s good design for companionship and faithful union. Believers should seek a spouse who shares their faith, since 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 warns against being unequally yoked. 2 Timothy 2:22 and 1 Corinthians 6:18 urge fleeing sexual sin, while Song of Solomon 2:7 cautions against awakening romantic desire prematurely. Love should reflect the patient, sacrificial character described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, and Proverbs 4:23 calls us to guard our hearts.

Top passages, ranked by readers

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

  • 2 Timothy 2:22 3 votes

    Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:14 3 votes

    Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship do righteousness and iniquity have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?

  • 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 3 votes

    Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:33 3 votes

    Don’t be deceived! “Evil companionships corrupt good morals.”

  • Genesis 2:18 3 votes

    Yahweh God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make him a helper comparable to him.”

  • 1 Corinthians 6:18 2 votes

    Flee sexual immorality! “Every sin that a man does is outside the body,” but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.

  • Genesis 2:24 2 votes

    Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his wife, and they will be one flesh.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 2 votes

    Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship do righteousness and iniquity have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? What agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what portion does a believer have with an unbeliever?

  • Song of Solomon 2:7 2 votes

    I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds of the field, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires.

  • Proverbs 4:23 2 votes

    Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.

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