What does the Bible say about spouse abuse?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible unequivocally condemns spousal abuse as sinful violence, cruelty, and covenant-breaking, and calls the church to protect the oppressed and pursue justice. Colossians 3:19 forbids husbands from being harsh, while 1 Peter 3:7 commands honor and understanding in marriage. Psalm 11:5 declares that the Lord hates those who love violence, and 2 Timothy 3:1-8 exposes abusive, self-centered behavior as deeply ungodly. Malachi 2:16 condemns treachery within marriage; it must not be used to trap victims in danger. When abuse destroys marital faithfulness and safety, churches should provide protection, wise counsel, accountability, and support, recognizing that abandonment and severe covenant betrayal may bear on separation and divorce (1 Corinthians 7:15; Matthew 5:32).
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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.
- 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.
- 1 Corinthians 7:15
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.
- Matthew 5:32
but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery.
- Proverbs 22:10
Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; Yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
- 2 Timothy 3:1-8
[1] But know this, that in the last days, grievous times will come. [2] For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, [4] traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; [5] holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof. Turn away from these, also. [6] For of these are those who creep into houses, and take captive gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, [7] always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. [8] Even as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so do these also oppose the truth; men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith.
- 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.
- Psalms 11:5
Yahweh examines the righteous, But the wicked and him who loves violence his soul hates.
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