More than a wedding.
A shared life, not just a beautiful day.
Begin before the wedding customs and expectations. Genesis describes a man and woman joined in a new bond. Jesus returns to that text when questioned about divorce. Read the creation account alongside his response: what is being joined, and why should that union be treated seriously?
Companionship
God says it is not good for the man to be alone.
Genesis 2:18
A new bond
The man leaves father and mother and cleaves to his wife.
Genesis 2:24
Jesus looks back
Jesus cites creation and speaks of what God has joined.
Matthew 19:4–6
From gift to commitment
The woman is received as bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh. The narrative moves from recognition to a shared bond.
Genesis 2:23–24
Read the actual question
Jesus is responding to a test about divorce for every cause, not offering a slogan that answers every difficult pastoral situation.
Matthew 19:3–9
A covenant, not ownership
The bond of marriage is not permission to possess, isolate or mistreat another person. Read unity alongside honour and the command against bitterness.
Genesis 2:24
1 Peter 3:7
Colossians 3:19
Partners, not opponents.
Make room for another person’s good.
Companionship is more than occupying the same room. Genesis describes a helper suited to the man; Ecclesiastes pictures companions lifting, warming and defending one another. That wisdom concerns companionship broadly. Here we apply it to marriage without pretending that the passage is only about couples.
Shared work
Two receive a good reward for their labour.
Ecclesiastes 4:9
Help in weakness
One companion can lift the other after a fall.
Ecclesiastes 4:10
Shared strength
Two can withstand opposition together.
Ecclesiastes 4:12
See the need
The account begins with aloneness and a helper suitable for the man, not with a ranking of human value.
Genesis 2:18–23
Look beyond yourself
Paul asks believers to notice the interests of others, not only their own. This supplies a practical lens for partnership.
Philippians 2:3–4
The cord and its context
The threefold cord illustrates the strength of companionship. Calling the strands husband, wife and God is a devotional application; Ecclesiastes does not name them that way.
Ecclesiastes 4:9–12
Love with its sleeves rolled up.
Patient. Kind. Committed to the truth.
Paul’s account of love is given to a church, not written solely as a wedding reading. Its verbs and contrasts still ask searching questions of a marriage. Read it as a mirror for your own conduct, not a checklist for finding your partner’s faults.
The posture
Love suffers long and is kind.
1 Corinthians 13:4
Not self-centred
Love does not seek its own or behave unseemly.
1 Corinthians 13:5
Truth matters
Love rejoices in the truth, not in iniquity.
1 Corinthians 13:6
Costly care
Husbands are commanded to love their wives with Christ’s self-giving love as the pattern.
Ephesians 5:25
The bond
Colossians places love over the clothing of compassion, kindness, humility and patience.
Colossians 3:12–14
Endurance is not denial
Love’s endurance is held together with its commitment to truth. It should not be turned into a demand to hide harm, believe every false claim or accept coercion.
1 Corinthians 13:6–7
Honour in both directions.
Read the whole passage. Practise care.
Ephesians addresses wives and husbands within a larger call to Christian life. Read the whole paragraph, beginning with verse 21. Notice the commands to each spouse, the self-giving pattern of Christ, and the language of nourishing and cherishing. Do not extract an instruction for someone else and ignore the one that addresses you.
The introduction
Verse 21 speaks of submitting to one another in reverence for God.
Ephesians 5:21
The husband’s model
Christ’s love and self-giving are the pattern named for husbands.
Ephesians 5:25
Shared inheritance
Peter describes husband and wife as heirs together of the grace of life.
1 Peter 3:7
Nourish and cherish
Paul describes the care of a body rather than contempt for it. What does that do to our picture of a spouse’s responsibility?
Ephesians 5:28–29
Honour reaches prayer
Peter connects knowledgeable, honouring conduct toward a wife with unhindered prayer.
1 Peter 3:7
Christians differ on marital roles
Some understand these texts to teach distinct husband–wife roles; others emphasise shared authority under mutual submission. This study does not score that interpretive disagreement. Read the full texts and take their explicit demands for love, honour and non-bitterness seriously.
Ephesians 5:21–33
Colossians 3:18–19
1 Peter 3:1–9
Listen before you answer.
Understanding comes before the comeback.
James puts hearing before speaking and warns about anger. Proverbs contrasts a gentle answer with a grievous word. Ephesians asks whether our speech builds up and gives grace. These are teachings for God’s people generally; bring them into the ordinary conversations of marriage.
Be ready to hear
James says to be swift to hear.
James 1:19
Take care with anger
Human wrath does not work God’s righteousness.
James 1:20
Build rather than tear
Speech should edify and give grace to its hearers.
Ephesians 4:29
A different answer
The proverb draws a contrast between a soft answer and words that stir up anger. It offers wisdom, not control over another person’s choices.
Proverbs 15:1
Truth belongs here
Giving grace is not permission to deceive: the same paragraph calls for truth with one another.
Ephesians 4:25–29
Gentleness is not silence
Listening and gentle speech can include clear disagreement and boundaries. A quiet tone alone does not make a conversation honest or safe.
Ephesians 4:25
Ephesians 4:29
Disagree without destruction.
Address the issue without attacking the person.
Scripture does not pretend that anger and disagreement never occur. Ephesians warns against letting anger become sin and making room for evil. Romans calls believers away from retaliation and toward peace, while acknowledging that peace does not depend on one person alone.
Truth, not pretence
Believers are told to put away lying.
Ephesians 4:25
Anger needs care
Be angry and sin not; do not let the sun go down on wrath.
Ephesians 4:26
Recognise limits
Live peaceably, if possible, as far as it depends on you.
Romans 12:18
No payback
The passage forbids repaying evil for evil. Moving away from revenge is different from refusing accountability.
Romans 12:17–21
A pattern to put away
Bitterness, wrath, clamour, evil speaking and malice are contrasted with kindness and tenderheartedness.
Ephesians 4:31–32
A pause can serve peace
The warning about anger is not a command to force an exhausted or frightened person into an overnight argument. As a practical application, agree to a safe pause and a time to return when ordinary disagreement becomes heated. If there are threats or abuse, prioritise safety and independent help.
Ephesians 4:26–27
Romans 12:18
Repair with truth and mercy.
Release revenge. Take responsibility. Make room for repair.
Forgiveness is rooted in the grace received from God. Ephesians and Colossians call believers to forgive as they have been forgiven. Bring this together with confession and truth: a marriage needs more than either pretending nothing happened or preserving a permanent record for retaliation.
A pattern received
Forgive as Christ forgave you.
Colossians 3:13
A tender response
Kindness and tenderheartedness accompany forgiveness.
Ephesians 4:32
Honest confession
The proverb contrasts concealing sins with confessing and forsaking them.
Proverbs 28:13
Bring harm into the light
Jesus speaks of addressing sin and repentance rather than treating wrongdoing as imaginary.
Luke 17:3–4
Not my revenge
Paul directs readers away from taking vengeance into their own hands.
Romans 12:19
Forgiveness, trust and reconciliation
These words are related but not interchangeable. A practical path to restored trust requires truth and trustworthy conduct; serious harm can require accountability and professional support. Forgiveness must not be used to demand immediate access, silence, or unsafe reconciliation.
Colossians 3:13
Proverbs 28:13
Romans 12:18–19
Faithful, tender, mutual.
A gift to cherish, never a weapon to use.
Genesis describes unashamed nakedness within the first marriage. Paul addresses mutual marital responsibility, speaking to husband and wife in parallel. Hebrews honours marriage and calls for faithfulness. Read these texts with care: affection and sexual intimacy should never be used to humiliate, threaten or force a spouse.
Both are addressed
Paul describes the husband’s duty to his wife and likewise the wife’s to her husband.
1 Corinthians 7:3
Reciprocal language
The wording about the body is applied to both spouses, not only one.
1 Corinthians 7:4
Agreement matters
A temporary abstinence is described as by consent, for a time.
1 Corinthians 7:5
Honour the bond
Hebrews joins honour for marriage with a warning about unfaithfulness.
Hebrews 13:4
Without shame
The Genesis scene describes both people as naked and unashamed. It is not an instruction to force disclosure or exposure.
Genesis 2:25
Care is not entitlement
The reciprocal wording is not permission for coercion, forced sex, or punishment. Seek freely given consent and care about pain, fear, health and willingness. A spouse’s body is not a tool for getting your way; love does not seek its own at another’s expense.
1 Corinthians 7:3–5
1 Corinthians 13:4–6
Build a life, not a competition.
Bring your resources into the light.
A shared household makes choices about attention, possessions, work and generosity. Hebrews places a call to contentment beside its instruction about marriage. Jesus asks where treasure and the heart are located. These texts give a moral direction; they do not prescribe one banking arrangement or a prosperity formula.
Contentment
Be content rather than governed by covetousness.
Hebrews 13:5
A faithful presence
The assurance given is God’s presence, not a promise of wealth.
Hebrews 13:5–6
Heart and treasure
Jesus links the location of treasure with the heart.
Matthew 6:19–21
Work that can give
Paul’s instruction about honest work includes the ability to share with someone in need.
Ephesians 4:28
Other interests matter
A shared decision should reckon with more than my preference alone.
Philippians 2:4
Principles are not a financial template
Transparency, honest work, contentment and generosity can guide a couple’s choices. Scripture here does not mandate a particular budget, bank account structure or income split. Financial control and deprivation are not expressions of care.
Hebrews 13:5
Ephesians 4:28
Philippians 2:4
Turn toward God together.
A shared rhythm without spiritual pressure.
Prayer can give a marriage language for dependence, gratitude, confession and hope. The Lord’s Prayer is a prayer for Jesus’ disciples generally; it can also shape a couple’s prayers. Colossians joins Scripture, singing and thanksgiving. These passages invite shared attention to God, not a performance to impress one another.
God’s purposes
The prayer begins with God’s name, kingdom and will.
Matthew 6:9–10
Daily need
Jesus teaches a request for daily bread.
Matthew 6:11
Forgiveness
The prayer brings our debts and our forgiveness of others before God.
Matthew 6:12
Thankfulness together
The word of Christ, singing and gratitude belong together in the community’s life.
Colossians 3:16–17
Rejoice, pray, give thanks
These short instructions form a rhythm for believers rather than an exact schedule for married couples.
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
A practice, not a test of the other person
A spouse’s willingness to join a particular prayer format is not a score of spiritual worth. In a marriage with different beliefs, read Paul’s instruction carefully and do not turn shared devotion into coercion.
1 Corinthians 7:12–16
A home with room for others.
Let your shared life become a gift.
Marriage is not the whole horizon of Christian life. Peter describes gifts being used to serve others; Hebrews connects gathering with encouragement toward love and good works. Apply this outward-looking posture to a household without assuming that every home must serve in exactly the same way.
A gift received
Each person is called to minister the gift received.
1 Peter 4:10
A steward, not an owner
Peter describes stewards of God’s varied grace.
1 Peter 4:10
God supplies strength
Service is to be offered in the ability God gives.
1 Peter 4:11
Encourage good
The gathering of believers is linked to considering one another and provoking love and good works.
Hebrews 10:24–25
Do not overlook sharing
Doing good and sharing are named as sacrifices pleasing to God.
Hebrews 13:15–16
Shared purpose allows different gifts
A couple need not have identical abilities, callings or capacity. These texts are addressed to the church; they do not require every spouse to take on the other’s ministry or every home to host beyond its limits.
1 Peter 4:10–11
Hebrews 10:24–25
Grace for the changing seasons.
Carry burdens without carrying everything alone.
Married life can include joy, disappointment, changed circumstances and serious strain. Romans tells believers to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Peace is pursued honestly, not manufactured by pretending. Return to companionship as the willingness to help another person stand.
Share joy
Rejoice with those who rejoice.
Romans 12:15
Make space for grief
Weep with those who weep.
Romans 12:15
Accept human limits
Peace is sought as far as it depends on you.
Romans 12:18
Help after a fall
Companionship includes lifting rather than merely demanding that the other person stand.
Ecclesiastes 4:10
Seek wisdom and support
A prudent person notices danger and takes refuge. A wise response to harm is not a failure of faith.
Proverbs 22:3
When the situation is serious
This is a Bible study, not a diagnosis or a ruling on divorce and remarriage. Read Jesus and Paul together, recognise differences in Christian interpretation, and seek careful, qualified support for your circumstances. If there is abuse, coercion or danger, seek safety and independent specialist help; do not use a joint exercise to confront an unsafe partner.
Matthew 19:3–12
1 Corinthians 7:10–16
Proverbs 22:3
Hold fast
דָּבַק
Transliteration: dābaq
Strong’s number: H1692
A verb used for clinging or holding close. In this verse it describes the man’s bond with his wife. The word alone does not supply a complete doctrine of marriage.
Dictionary form shown. Verse forms and pronunciation traditions can differ. Open the lexicon and use its audio control to hear the word.
A helper
עֵזֶר
Transliteration: ʿēzer
Strong’s number: H5828
A noun meaning help or helper. In Genesis the surrounding phrase describes a helper suitable for the man. A dictionary gloss alone should not be used to rank the worth of the two people.
Dictionary form shown. Verse forms and pronunciation traditions can differ. Open the lexicon and use its audio control to hear the word.
Love
ἀγάπη
Transliteration: agapē
Strong’s number: G26
The noun translated “charity” in the KJV of this passage. Let Paul’s description of patience, kindness and truth explain how love acts here; do not replace the paragraph with a slogan about the Greek.
Dictionary form shown. Verse forms and pronunciation traditions can differ. Open the lexicon and use its audio control to hear the word.
By agreement
σύμφωνος
Transliteration: symphōnos
Strong’s number: G4859
An adjective meaning agreeing or in accord. Paul uses an inflected form in the expression translated “with consent,” concerning a temporary abstinence agreed by both spouses.
Dictionary form shown. Verse forms and pronunciation traditions can differ. Open the lexicon and use its audio control to hear the word.
1 Corinthians 13:4
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1 Corinthians 13:4–6
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
1 Corinthians 13:4–7
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
1 Corinthians 13:5
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
1 Corinthians 13:6
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
1 Corinthians 13:6–7
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
1 Corinthians 1:2
2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's:
1 Corinthians 7:10–16
10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
1 Corinthians 7:12–16
12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
1 Corinthians 7:15
15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
1 Corinthians 7:1–5
1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
1 Corinthians 7:3
3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
1 Corinthians 7:3–4
3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
1 Corinthians 7:3–5
3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
1 Corinthians 7:4
4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
1 Corinthians 7:5
5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
1 Corinthians 7:7–8
7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I.
1 Corinthians 7:8
8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I.
1 Peter 3:1–9
1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
1 Peter 3:7
7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
1 Peter 4:10
10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
1 Peter 4:10–11
10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:11
11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Colossians 3:12–14
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Colossians 3:13
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Colossians 3:14
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Colossians 3:16
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Colossians 3:16–17
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Colossians 3:18–19
18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
Colossians 3:19
19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
Ecclesiastes 4:10
10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
Ecclesiastes 4:12
12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9
9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
Ecclesiastes 4:9–12
9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ephesians 4:1–3
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:25
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
Ephesians 4:25–29
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27 Neither give place to the devil.
28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Ephesians 4:25–32
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27 Neither give place to the devil.
28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:26
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Ephesians 4:26–27
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27 Neither give place to the devil.
Ephesians 4:28
28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Ephesians 4:29
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Ephesians 4:31–32
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 5:21
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Ephesians 5:21–33
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Ephesians 5:25
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Ephesians 5:25–29
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
Ephesians 5:28–29
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
Ephesians 5:29
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
Genesis 2:18
18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
Genesis 2:18–23
18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
Genesis 2:18–25
18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Genesis 2:23–24
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Genesis 2:24
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Genesis 2:24–25
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Genesis 2:25
25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Hebrews 10:24
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Hebrews 10:24–25
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Hebrews 13:15–16
15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Hebrews 13:16
16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Hebrews 13:4
4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
Hebrews 13:4–6
4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Hebrews 13:5
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Hebrews 13:5–6
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
James 1:19
19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
James 1:19–20
19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
James 1:20
20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
Luke 17:3–4
3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Matthew 19:3–12
3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
Matthew 19:3–9
3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
Matthew 19:4–6
4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
Matthew 6:11
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Matthew 6:12
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Matthew 6:19–21
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Matthew 6:21
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Matthew 6:9–10
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:9–11
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Matthew 6:9–13
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Philippians 2:3–4
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Philippians 2:4
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Proverbs 15:1
1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Proverbs 22:3
3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
Proverbs 28:13
13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
Romans 12:15
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Romans 12:17
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Romans 12:17–21
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:18
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Romans 12:18–19
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Romans 12:19
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
King James Version
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
“Cleave” here means hold fast to, not cut apart.
World English Bible
24 Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his wife, and they will be one flesh.
25 The man and his wife were both naked, and they were not ashamed.
Uses “join with” for the relationship described in verse 24.
American Standard Version
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
The wording here closely matches the KJV.
Darby Translation
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.
25 And they were both naked, Man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Uses “become one flesh.” Notice the movement toward union.
Young’s Literal Translation
24 therefore doth a man leave his father and his mother, and hath cleaved unto his wife, and they have become one flesh.
25 And they are both of them naked, the man and his wife, and they are not ashamed of themselves.
Retains distinctive verbal forms: “hath cleaved” and “have become.”