What does the Bible say about family?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that family is God’s good gift, designed for faithful love, nurture, provision, honor, and worship under his gracious rule. Marriage joins a man and woman in a covenantal one-flesh union, forming the ordinary foundation of the household (Genesis 2:24). Children are a heritage from the Lord, to be welcomed and trained in godly wisdom (Psalms 127:3-5; Proverbs 22:6), while children are called to obey and honor their parents (Exodus 20:12; Colossians 3:20). Parents and households should provide loving care, and Christian homes are to serve the Lord together (1 Timothy 5:8; Joshua 24:15). Every human family ultimately reflects God’s fatherhood, and the church becomes a household of faith in Christ (Ephesians 3:14-15).
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Exodus 20:12
"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.
- Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
- 1 Timothy 5:8
But if anyone doesn't provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.
- Colossians 3:20
Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord.
- 1 Timothy 3:5
(but if a man doesn't know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the assembly of God?)
- Genesis 2:24
Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his wife, and they will be one flesh.
- Joshua 24:15
If it seem evil to you to serve Yahweh, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.
- Psalms 128:3
Your wife will be as a fruitful vine, In the innermost parts of your house; Your children like olive plants, Around your table.
- Psalms 127:3-5
[3] Behold, children are a heritage of Yahweh. The fruit of the womb is his reward. [4] As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, So are the children of youth. [5] Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They won't be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.
- Ephesians 3:14-15
[14] For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, [15] from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- OF SAINTS
- Blessed Psalms 128:3; Psalms 128:6
- Should be taught God’s word Deuteronomy 4:9; Deuteronomy 4:10
- Worship God together 1 Corinthians 16:19
- Be duly regulated Proverbs 31:27; 1 Timothy 3:4; 1 Timothy 3:5; 1 Timothy 3:12
- Live in unity Genesis 45:24; Psalms 133:1
- Live in mutual forbearance Genesis 50:17-21; Matthew 18:21; Matthew 18:22
- Rejoice together before God Deuteronomy 14:26
- Deceivers and liars should be removed from Psalms 101:7
- Warned against departing from God Deuteronomy 29:18
- Punishment of irreligious Jeremiah 10:25
- GOOD, EXEMPLIFIED
- Abraham Genesis 18:19
- Jacob Genesis 35:2
- Joshua Joshua 24:15
- David 2 Samuel 6:20
- Job Job 1:5
- Lazarus of Bethany John 11:1-5
- Cornelius Acts 10:2; Acts 10:33
- Lydia Acts 16:15
- Jailor of Philippi Acts 16:31-34
- Crispus Acts 18:8
- Lois 2 Timothy 1:5
- See CHILDREN
- See HUSBAND
- See WIFE
- See ORPHAN
- See WIDOW
- INSTITUTED Genesis 2:23; Genesis 2:24
- GOVERNMENT OF Genesis 3:16; Genesis 18:19; Esther 1:20; Esther 1:22; 1 Corinthians 7:10; 1 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Corinthians 11:7-9; Ephesians 5:22-24; Colossians 3:18; 1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Timothy 3:4; 1 Timothy 3:5
- INFELICITY IN Proverbs 11:22; Proverbs 12:4; Proverbs 14:1; Proverbs 15:17; Proverbs 18:19; Proverbs 19:13; Proverbs 21:9; Proverbs 21:19; Proverbs 25:24; Proverbs 27:15; Proverbs 27:16; Proverbs 30:21
- INSTANCES OF INFELICITY IN
- Of Abraham, on account of Hagar Genesis 16:5; Genesis 21:10; Genesis 21:11
- Of Isaac, on account of the disagreement between Jacob and Esau Genesis 27:4-46
- Of Jacob, the bigamic jealousy between Leah and Rachel Genesis 29:30-34; Genesis 30:1-25
- Moses and Zipporah Exodus 4:25; Exodus 4:26
- Elkanah, on account of bigamic feuds 1 Samuel 1:4-7
- David and Michal 2 Samuel 6:16; 2 Samuel 6:20-23
- Ahasuerus, on account of Vashti’s refusing to appear before his drunken courtiers Esther 1:10-22
- PERSIAN, DOMESTIC CUSTOMS Esther 1:10-22
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