What does the Bible say about the marriage ceremony?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible presents marriage as a holy covenant before God, but it does not prescribe a single required ceremony or set of wedding customs. Genesis 2:18 and 2:24 show that marriage is God’s good design, joining a man and woman in one flesh. Jesus affirms its enduring, God-joined character in Mark 10:9, while Hebrews 13:4 calls believers to honor marriage. A Christian ceremony should therefore publicly acknowledge this covenant, seek God’s blessing, and encourage lifelong faithfulness. Colossians 3:12-19 and 1 Corinthians 13:4-13 describe the humility, love, forgiveness, and self-giving that should mark married life. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 celebrates the mutual strength and help found in faithful companionship.

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

  • Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

    [9] Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. [10] For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn't have another to lift him up. [11] Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one keep warm alone? [12] If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

  • Colossians 3:12-19

    [12] Put on therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; [13] bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. [14] Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. [15] And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. [16] Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. [17] Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him. [18] Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. [19] Husbands, love your wives, and don't be bitter against them.

  • 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.

  • 1 Corinthians 13:4-13

    [4] Love is patient and is kind; love doesn't envy. Love doesn't brag, is not proud, [5] doesn't behave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; [6] doesn't rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; [7] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [8] Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with. [9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; [10] but when that which is complete has come, then that which is partial will be done away with. [11] When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things. [12] For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known. [13] But now faith, hope, and love remain--these three. The greatest of these is love.

  • Proverbs 18:22

    Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor of Yahweh.

  • Genesis 2:18

    Yahweh God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him."

  • Mark 10:9

    What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate."

  • Ruth 1:16-17

    [16] Ruth said, "Don't entreat me to leave you, and to return from following after you, for where you go, I will go; and where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God; [17] where you die, will I die, and there will I be buried: Yahweh do so to me, and more also, if anything but death part you and me."

  • Hebrews 13:4

    Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled: but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.

  • Romans 8:28

    We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.

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