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What does the Bible say about marrying an unbeliever?

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The Bible teaches that Christians should seek marriage in the Lord and should not knowingly bind themselves in marriage to an unbeliever, while faithfully honoring existing marriages where one spouse does not believe. 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 warns against being unequally yoked with unbelief, and 1 Corinthians 7:39 says a widow is free to marry only “in the Lord.” Deuteronomy 7:3-4 similarly warns that mixed marriages can turn hearts from God. Yet 1 Corinthians 7:12-16 calls believers already married to unbelievers to remain if the unbelieving spouse is willing, pursuing peace and trusting God’s gracious influence through the believing spouse.

Top passages, ranked by readers

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

  • 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?

  • 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?

  • 1 Corinthians 15:33

    Don't be deceived! "Evil companionships corrupt good morals."

  • 1 Corinthians 7:39

    A wife is bound by law for as long as her husband lives; but if the husband is dead, she is free to be married to whoever she desires, only in the Lord.

  • Deuteronomy 7:3-4

    [3] neither shall you make marriages with them; your daughter you shall not give to his son, nor his daughter shall you take to your son. [4] For he will turn away your son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of Yahweh be kindled against you, and he will destroy you quickly.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:14

    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.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:15

    What agreement has Christ with Belial? Or what portion has a believer with an unbeliever?

  • 2 Corinthians 6:14-15

    [14] Don't be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? Or what communion has light with darkness? [15] What agreement has Christ with Belial? Or what portion has a believer with an unbeliever?

  • Ephesians 5:33

    Nevertheless each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:18

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

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