Bible verses About Engagement Before Marriage

Friends, if you’re seeking “Bible verses About Engagement Before Marriage,” this content is for you. Today, I share Bible verses that can help you better understand engagement and marriage according to the Bible. These scriptures offer guidance on commitment, love, and preparing for a lifelong union. They emphasize the importance of spiritual connection, mutual respect, and God’s role in relationships. Whether you’re engaged, considering engagement, or simply curious about biblical perspectives on this topic, these verses provide valuable insights into the sacred journey towards marriage.

What Does the Bible Say About Engagement?

Engagement is a significant step in a relationship, marking a commitment to marry. The Bible provides wisdom about this meaningful phase, encouraging couples to build a strong foundation rooted in love and mutual respect. It’s a time for spiritual growth and preparation, aligning your relationship with God’s purpose. Let’s delve into what Scripture says about this beautiful journey towards marriage.

Genesis 24:58-60 – Blessing before marriage journey

So they called Rebekah asked her, “Will you go with this man?”“I will go,” she saidSo they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse Abraham’s servant his men. they blessed Rebekah said to her“Our sister, may you increase
     to thousands upon thousands;
may your offspring possess
     the cities of their enemies.”

Genesis 24:58-60

Genesis 24:58-60 highlights the blessing and familial support given to Rebekah before her marriage to Isaac, emphasizing the importance of blessings and approval from loved ones during the engagement period before marriage.

Proverbs 18:22 – Finds a good wife, favor

He who finds a wife finds what is good
     receives favor from the Lord

Proverbs 18:22

Proverbs 18:22 highlights the blessing of finding a good spouse, emphasizing that a loving partner is a divine gift and source of favor. In the context of engagement, it underscores the importance of choosing wisely.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – Love is patient and kind

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 highlights love’s essential qualities: patience, kindness, and truth. In the context of engagement, it emphasizes building a strong, loving foundation based on mutual respect and selflessness, preparing couples for a lasting marriage.

Ephesians 5:25-33 – Husbands, love as Christ loved

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed care for their body, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father mother be united to his wife, the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, the wife must respect her husband

Ephesians 5:25-33

Ephesians 5:25-33 highlights the selfless love husbands should have for their wives, mirroring Christ’s love for the Church. This passage underscores commitment and sacrificial love, foundational principles for engagement and marriage in a Christian context.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – Strength and support in unity

Two are better than one,
     because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
     one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
     has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
     But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
     two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 highlights the strength and support found in unity, emphasizing how partnerships, like engagements, provide mutual encouragement, resilience, and protection, laying a foundation for a strong and supportive future marriage.

Key Scriptures on Purity and Commitment During Engagement

Engagement is a special time to nurture your relationship, focusing on purity and commitment. The Bible emphasizes staying true to one another and keeping the relationship sacred. This period can strengthen your bond as you practice patience and dedication. It’s a journey that prepares your hearts for the covenant of marriage. Let’s explore some key passages that guide us in this endeavor.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 – Live in holiness and honor

It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 emphasizes living in holiness and honor by avoiding sexual immorality. It encourages purity and commitment during engagement, urging individuals to control their bodies in a way that reflects respect and sanctification.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 – Honor God with your body

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies

1 Corinthians 6:18-20

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 reminds us to honor God with our bodies by fleeing sexual immorality. During engagement, this means committing to purity and respecting the sacredness of our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 13:4 – Honor marriage, stay pure

Marriage should be honored by all, the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer all the sexually immoral

Hebrews 13:4

Hebrews 13:4 emphasizes the sanctity of marriage, urging couples to honor their commitment by maintaining purity during engagement. It highlights the importance of fidelity and respect, underscoring that marriage should be held in high esteem by all.

Biblical Principles for Preparing for Marriage

Preparing for marriage is a time to deepen your understanding of love and partnership. The Bible offers principles to help you build a marriage centered on faith, love, and mutual respect. It’s about learning to support each other and grow together spiritually. These biblical teachings provide a roadmap for a successful and fulfilling marriage journey.

Proverbs 24:3-4 – Wisdom builds a strong home

By wisdom a house is built,
     through understanding it is established;
through knowledge its rooms are filled
     with rare beautiful treasures

Proverbs 24:3-4

Proverbs 24:3-4 teaches that wisdom and understanding are essential for building a strong home. In the context of engagement, these principles guide couples in laying a solid foundation for a successful marriage.

Ephesians 4:2-3 – Unity through humility and patience

Be completely humble gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace

Ephesians 4:2-3

Ephesians 4:2-3 highlights the importance of humility, patience, and love in nurturing unity. These virtues are essential in preparing for marriage, fostering a harmonious relationship built on understanding and mutual respect during the engagement period.

Colossians 3:14 – Love binds all in unity

Over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity

Colossians 3:14

Colossians 3:14 emphasizes love as the essential bond that unites all virtues in harmony. In the context of engagement before marriage, this verse highlights the importance of cultivating love to build a strong, unified relationship.

1 Peter 4:8 – Love deeply, covers many sins

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins

1 Peter 4:8

1 Peter 4:8 emphasizes the importance of deep, unconditional love in relationships, particularly in the context of engagement. This love fosters forgiveness and understanding, creating a strong foundation for a lasting, harmonious marriage.

Philippians 2:2 – Unity and shared love in relationships

Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit of one mind

Philippians 2:2

Philippians 2:2 emphasizes unity, shared love, and harmony in relationships. As couples prepare for marriage, fostering mutual understanding and selfless love is essential, laying a strong foundation for a lifelong partnership grounded in biblical principles.

How Long Should an Engagement Last According to the Bible?

The Bible doesn’t specify an exact duration for engagement, but it encourages couples to take time to prepare thoughtfully for marriage. This period should be long enough to ensure readiness and short enough to maintain focus on the commitment ahead. Seeking God’s wisdom can help determine the right timing for your unique journey.

Proverbs 19:2 – Enthusiasm without knowledge is unwise

Desire without knowledge is not good—
     how much more will hasty feet miss the way

Proverbs 19:2

Proverbs 19:2 highlights the importance of knowledge alongside enthusiasm. In the context of engagement, it suggests that thoughtful consideration and understanding should guide the process, rather than hastily rushing into marriage without adequate preparation.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 – Time for every purpose

There is a time for everything,
     a season for every activity under the heavens

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us that there is a time for every purpose, including engagement before marriage. It suggests that the length of an engagement should align with God’s timing and wisdom, ensuring readiness for marriage.

James 1:5 – Ask God for wisdom

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, it will be given to you

James 1:5

James 1:5 encourages us to seek wisdom from God, who generously provides guidance. When considering engagement duration, ask God for discernment to make decisions that align with His will and foster a strong, godly relationship.

Proverbs 16:9 – God directs our plans

In their hearts humans plan their course,
     but the Lord establishes their steps

Proverbs 16:9

Proverbs 16:9 reminds us that while we make plans, God ultimately guides our path. In the context of engagement, it’s a reminder to seek His wisdom and timing for how long the engagement should last.

Navigating Physical Intimacy During Engagement: A Biblical Perspective

Managing physical intimacy during engagement can be challenging, but the Bible provides guidance to help maintain boundaries that honor God. It calls for self-control and respect, ensuring that the relationship remains pure and focused on building a strong emotional and spiritual connection. Embracing these principles can lead to a more fulfilling marriage.

1 Corinthians 7:1-2 – Maintain purity before marriage

Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, each woman with her own husband

1 Corinthians 7:1-2

1 Corinthians 7:1-2 advises engaged couples to maintain purity by avoiding sexual immorality. It encourages marriage as a means to fulfill physical desires appropriately, emphasizing the importance of self-control and honoring God’s design for relationships.

1 Timothy 5:1-2 – Treat others with purity

Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with absolute purity

1 Timothy 5:1-2

1 Timothy 5:1-2 encourages treating others with respect and purity, emphasizing the importance of maintaining appropriate boundaries. In the context of engagement, it highlights honoring your partner and navigating intimacy with integrity before marriage.

2 Timothy 2:22 – Pursue righteousness and purity

Flee the evil desires of youth pursue righteousness, faith, love peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart

2 Timothy 2:22

2 Timothy 2:22 advises believers to pursue righteousness and purity by fleeing youthful lusts. In the context of engagement, it emphasizes maintaining integrity and self-control, prioritizing spiritual growth over physical intimacy before marriage.

Galatians 5:16-17 – Walk by Spirit, avoid desires

So I say, walk by the Spirit, you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want

Galatians 5:16-17

Galatians 5:16-17 advises engaged couples to walk by the Spirit, resisting fleshly desires. This guidance helps navigate physical intimacy, promoting self-control and aligning actions with spiritual values before marriage.

Seeking God’s Guidance in Your Engagement Journey

Engagement is a time to seek God’s guidance, ensuring that your relationship aligns with His will. Prayer and reflection help you grow together spiritually, making decisions that honor both God and each other. Inviting God into this journey provides the wisdom and strength needed to build a lasting marriage based on His love and teachings.

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in God’s guidance

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
     lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
     he will make your paths straight

Proverbs 3:5-6

Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages you to trust in God’s wisdom during your engagement. By relying on His understanding and acknowledging Him in all your plans, He will guide your path towards a blessed and harmonious marriage.

Psalm 37:4-5 – Delight and trust in God

Take delight in the Lord ,
     he will give you the desires of your heartCommit your way to the Lord ;
     trust in him he will do this

Psalm 37:4-5

Psalm 37:4-5 encourages couples to delight in the Lord and trust in His guidance during their engagement. By committing their relationship to God, they can find joy and assurance in His plans for their future together.

Philippians 4:6-7 – Pray, find peace through God

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts your minds in Christ Jesus

Philippians 4:6-7

Philippians 4:6-7 encourages couples to seek God’s guidance during their engagement by praying and trusting Him. Through prayer, they can find peace, alleviating anxiety and strengthening their relationship as they prepare for marriage.

Jeremiah 29:11 – God’s plans for your future

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord , “plans to prosper you not to harm you, plans to give you hope a future

Jeremiah 29:11

Jeremiah 29:11 reassures us that God has a plan for our future, filled with hope and prosperity. As you navigate your engagement, trust in God’s guidance and purpose, knowing He desires the best for your marriage.