50 bible verses about relationships — What does the scripture say?

Relationships are a big deal. From your parents and siblings to your romantic partner or closest friends, the way you connect with others affects your peace, your growth, and even your faith. And when things get confusing, it helps to know what God says.

The Bible isn’t silent about relationships. It covers everything: friendship, loyalty, conflict resolution, marriage, forgiveness, boundaries, and more. If you’re navigating love, community, or even loneliness, scripture has something to say.

Here are 50 powerful Bible verses about relationships with brief explanations to help you apply them to real life.

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Bible verses about love and friendship

1. Proverbs 17:17
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”
→ Real friendship stands firm through life’s challenges.

2. John 15:13
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
→ The truest form of love is selfless and sacrificial.

3. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”
→ Good relationships are mutual — you lift each other up.

4. Proverbs 18:24
“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
→ It’s not about how many friends you have, but who’s truly loyal.

5. 1 Corinthians 13:4–7
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour 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.”
→ The gold standard for how we should love others.

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Bible verses about romantic love and dating

6. Song of Solomon 2:7
“Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.”
→ Don’t rush love; timing matters.

7. 1 John 4:18
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
→ Love should feel safe, not anxious or uncertain.

8. 1 Thessalonians 4:3–4
“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 and honourable.”
→ Self-control is part of godly love.

9. Proverbs 19:14
“Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.”
→ A wise partner is a gift from God, not just a lucky find.

10. 2 Corinthians 6:14
“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”
→ Spiritual compatibility matters more than chemistry.

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Bible verses about marriage

11. Genesis 2:24
“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”
→ Marriage is about leaving, uniting, and becoming one.

12. Ephesians 5:25
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
→ Marriage requires deep sacrifice and commitment.

13. Ephesians 5:33
“However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”
→ Love and respect are at the core of a healthy marriage.

14. Colossians 3:14
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
→ Love is the glue that holds all virtues in place.

15. Hebrews 13:4
“Marriage should be honoured by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”
→ Purity in marriage is about honour and faithfulness.

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Bible verses about loyalty and trust

16. Proverbs 3:3–4
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favour and a good name in the sight of God and man.”
→ Loyalty brings respect — both from God and people.

17. Ruth 1:16
“But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.’”
→ Ruth’s loyalty is a powerful model of devotion.

18. Psalm 101:6
“My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; the one whose walk is blameless will minister to me.”
→ God values loyalty — it’s a requirement for closeness with Him.

19. 1 Corinthians 15:33
“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’”
→ The company you keep will influence who you become.

20. Proverbs 27:6
“Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”
→ Real friends correct in love; fake ones flatter you into destruction.

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Bible verses about forgiveness and conflict

21. Matthew 18:21–22
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’
Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’”
→ True love means choosing forgiveness again and again.

22. Colossians 3:13
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
→ Forgiveness isn’t optional; it’s expected of all believers.

23. Romans 12:18
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
→ Do your part to maintain peace — even when others won’t.

24. Matthew 5:23–24
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you,
leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”
→ Your relationship with others affects your relationship with God.

25. Proverbs 15:1
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
→ Softness in speech is powerful in resolving conflict.

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Bible verses about boundaries and wisdom

26. Proverbs 22:24–25
“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered,
or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.”
→ Not every relationship is worth keeping.

27. Titus 3:10
“Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.”
→ It’s okay to walk away from toxic people.

28. Proverbs 27:17
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
→ The right friends will help you grow, not drag you down.

29. Psalm 1:1
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.”
→ Who you surround yourself with matters to your spiritual health.

30. 1 Corinthians 5:11
“But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy,
an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.”
→ Faith includes setting wise boundaries.

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Bible verses about kindness and service in relationships

31. Galatians 5:13
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
→ Love expresses itself through service.

32. Philippians 2:3–4
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves,
not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
→ Humility makes relationships thrive.

33. Romans 12:10
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves.”
→ Strong bonds are built on mutual honour.

34. Galatians 6:2
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
→ Helping each other is a sacred responsibility.

35. Luke 6:31
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
→ The golden rule — simple, yet powerful.

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Bible verses about trusting God in relationships

36. Proverbs 3:5–6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
→ Even in relationships, God should lead the way.

37. Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
→ Peace in relationships starts with trust in God.

38. Psalm 37:4
“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
→ God knows the kind of people you need in your life.

39. Jeremiah 17:7
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.”
→ Don’t put all your hope in people — trust God.

40. Matthew 6:33
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
→ The right relationships follow when your priorities are right.

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Bible verses to heal broken relationships

41. Joel 2:25
“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten, the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm, my great army that I sent among you.”
→ God can restore what was broken or lost.

42. Psalm 147:3
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
→ Heartbreak doesn’t have the final say — God does.

43. Isaiah 43:18–19
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
→ New beginnings are possible, even after pain.

44. Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
→ Even failed relationships can become lessons for growth.

45. Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
→ God sees your pain, and He’s near.

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Short but powerful truths about love and relationships

46. 1 John 4:7
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”

47. Romans 13:10
“Love does no harm to a neighbour. Therefore, love is the fulfilment of the law.”

48. 1 Peter 4:8
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

49. Galatians 5:14
“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’”

50. John 13:34–35
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Next time things feel messy or confusing, return to these verses. And remember: you’re never navigating your relationships alone, God’s wisdom is always within reach.

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