The Word on Relationships

The Bible is the ultimate prescription for our lives. Its instruction is the yardstick by which we measure our own thoughts and behavior, enabling us to make adjustments accordingly. God’s Word says many things about relationships and how believers should treat each other. It provides sound instruction on how to build a great relationship, as well as how to repair one that is struggling.

Biblical Advice on Relationships

In this article, I offer a compilation of scriptures I have put together that provide guidance for healthy relationships.

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another. (Romans 12:10)

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Ephesians 4:2)

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29)

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Ephesians 5:21)

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3-4)

Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. (1 Peter 2:17)

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. (1 Peter 3:8)

Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

What Does the Bible Say about Marriage?

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. (Ephesians 5:25-29)

Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. (Colossians 3:19)

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. (1 Peter 3:7)

Nevertheless, let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (Ephesians 5:33)

An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones. (Proverbs 12:4)

Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. (Proverbs 31:10-12)

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:22)

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. (Colossians 3:18)

Serving One Another

…but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. (Mark 10:43-45)

If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. (John 13:14-15)

Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. (Luke 22:26)

How Can Christian Counseling Help with Relationships?

Christian counselors work with a variety of social issues, whether these are pre-marital, marital, friendships, family, or other types of significant relationships. Whether you are starting a new relationship or repairing an existing one, Christian counseling can provide guidance and tools based on Biblical principles.