For hundreds of years, Christians have consulted Bible verses for nearly any sort of context or situation that comes their way, always finding a passage or two that relates to either the experience they’re going through or the way they feel about a particular instance. While solace is often found in these scriptures, they can also provide useful advice for nearly any facet of life, including dating, love, and romance. Today we’ll take a deep dive into what the Bible says about true love, and what your heart should be set on to achieve it.
The Song of Solomon: A Deep Dive into Biblical Romance
The Song of Solomon is a book in the Old Testament of the Bible that pays tribute to the late King Solomon and is often referred to as the Song of Songs. Thought to be written around the 10th century B.C., it’s less of a legalistic take on scripture, and more Bible verses about love. Many of the Songs of Solomon love verses are extremely poetic, and use sensual allegories and metaphors to drive home the intimate relationship and development from a betrothed couple, to one in matrimony.
Typical symbolism in this book uses nature as a focal point, referencing blooming gardens, lush vineyards, and doves to paint a picture of the ways a relationship might blossom amidst the uncertainties in the world. It’s more or less a celebration and reminder of how important intimacy is between a married couple, but also provides quite an expansive list of compassionate and complimentary verses that can encompass devotional love no matter how you read them.
When being married through the Christian church, romantic Bible verses like those in Song of Solomon are often used in marriage counseling, but also when teaching young men how to court women properly, and emphasizing the benefits that this union brings for both parties.
Proverbs: Wisdom on Love and Relationships
The Book of Proverbs is another in the Old Testament that centers around the importance of wisdom in faith, but also highlights numerous instances in which this profound knowledge is crucial to finding a life partner, and succeeding in a long-term relationship. It’s heavily suggestive of seeking advice and guidance from both God and those elders you trust while engaging in only intentional relationships rather than pursuing companionship out of lust.
One of the main suggestions that Proverbs provides for young lovers hoping to find a perfect partner is to look for distinctive qualities. These include being virtuous, equally wise, and most importantly, God-fearing. It’s also significant to point out that it warns against superficiality and disingenuous qualities, and urges Christians to delve deeper than just looks or social status.
1 Corinthians 13:4–8 – The Gold Standard of Love
1 Corinthians is a section in the New Testament written by the Apostle Paul, who delivers his depiction of Biblical love in a way that honors God at all times. This is not only a specific passage that can be applied to modern relationships, but it is also foundational in Christian weddings, with many couples choosing to recite these verses. The essence is that young evangelical couples will heed the advice in hoping they will demonstrate it in their marriage.
Endurance, kindness, patience, and forgiveness are just a few of the key dating subjects Paul touches on in these verses, emphasizing the importance of selfless, reciprocated love as the strategy for a successful union. This is compared to the eternal and unwavering manner in which God loves each human being. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 is sure to come up for any resourceful Christian man Googling “Bible verses for girlfriend.”
Sacrificial Love: Understanding Love’s True Nature
Many of the qualities that surround the topic of love in the Holy Bible revolve around that of sacrificial love, or the true nature of Jesus Christ’s atonement. Because God sent his only son to die on the cross for humanity’s sins — as an example of his perfectly divine nature — it demonstrates how our love should mirror his image as a selfless, all-encompassing individual. There are many more examples of this sort of love throughout scripture.
And while the Bible certainly encourages us to be kind to our neighbors, and always nudging us to lend a helping hand when possible, it’s also important to consider your own self-care. Continuously reaching out to help others is a welcome display of compassion, but you must take into account how much energy and focus is being expended. Part of showcasing a loving mentality for others begins with having a healthy relationship with yourself, and also being able to lean on others if the circumstances are reversed.
Love in Hard Times: Bible Verses for Relationship Challenges
Just because you’re a practicing Christian doesn’t mean you won’t have difficulties in your relationship. In fact, the Bible itself tells about numerous couples who have an array of ongoing predicaments, but oftentimes one focus is at the center of all resolve — God. Whether it’s Jacob’s conflict over Leah and Rachel, or the story of Job and his wife’s skepticism, many of these characters throughout the narrative resolve their situations by remaining faithful to God and his plan for them.
For Christian couples going through their own rocky periods, it’s always encouraged to practice routine prayer, in addition to consulting Bible verses that focus on things such as forgiveness and understanding. For example, Matthew 18:21-22 reads “21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.” In this case, a significant other or spouse would take the place of “brother.”
The Evolution of Love: From Biblical Times to Today
Love in more ancient and primitive times was not far off from the way it works today, however, the cultural practices and rules of engagement have changed a lot depending on the current customs you follow. One of the main differences was that many marriages were arranged and covenant in nature, originating more in the traditional familial way that satisfied society’s expectations rather than giving each individual freedom of choice or expression. Today, compatibility and romantics are at the forefront of almost every relationship, as we’ve become increasingly more picky thanks to the more detailed public image we can exude long before anyone gets to know us personally. But regardless of the times, love is still engrained in everlasting commitment that is compassionate, empathetic, and selfless.
Bible Study Sessions for Couples: Exploring Love Together
Joint Bible studies such as couples devotionals are an increasingly popular way for Christian Couples of any age to partake in worship together, regardless of whether you’ve been married 40 years, or have just started dating. Implementing this sort of educational time into your routine can not only enrich your relationship, but also drive both of your hearts nearer to God’s word, remembering the purpose for why he brought you both together in the first place. To spread His good word and revel in His glory.
Whether you do these Bible studies in your home alone, along with small groups, or by advisory from a counselor, engaging in good-faith practices allows retainment of education and provides you with ample material to consult in future situations, while also being applicable to past instances. It can also be helpful to fill out accompanying worksheets with this material, or even choosing to journal about each lesson.
The Role of Faith in Strengthening Love
As a Christian, everything you do should be rooted in your faith, but a relationship and eventual marriage with your significant other holds substantial weight due to the ongoing commitment, and matrimony ordained by God. This Holy union must be protected and sharpened, and having devout beliefs and values to fall back on makes going through the toughest times a bit easier. Joining each other in regular prayer, consulting one another for spiritual guidance, and having regular expectations of faith in your routine help set the foundation in Christ first. From there, reminding yourself of Biblical love stories in couples like Abraham and Sarah can remind us that romantic Bible verses can be practical, too.
Love Beyond Romance: Broader Interpretations of Biblical Love
The concept of ‘Agape‘ in the Bible refers to divine love that’s orchestrated in a selfless and unconditional manner, and comes from the Greek language. It largely focuses on the concept that if someone does not understand the role of being a helpful and unselfish person in their community, they will struggle to deliver these qualities in a meaningful, faith-centered relationship. You can also think of it as a way of living in Jesus’ image because showing how selfless love can be exhibited on a daily basis, both in the home and in all of your surrounding activities, showcases that you’re ready and willing to seek a Godly partner.
Preparing for Marriage: Biblical Advice for Engaged Couples
There are tons of passages through both the Old and New Testament that provide advice, encouragement, and wisdom to all couples of any experience, and as we’ve noted, focus on a variety of challenges both good and bad that a couple may face during their enduring romance. However, the sacred commitment that marriage binds a man and woman to, along with the need for submission and sacrificial love to one another emphasizes the importance that comes with this Holy union. While there are many activities and materials that should be consulted prior to settling down officially, these faithful practices should remain instrumental in your life to ensure a healthy and mindful relationship that will last through any trials and tribulations
Valentine’s Day is all about expressing your love for one another. There aren’t many better ways to do this than by picking out a few romantic Bible verses and showing your partner just how much they mean to you.
A godly relationship rooted in Jesus delights in the simple pleasures, being together and abiding in His Word. God knew what love, real love, can do: it’s strong, fearless and one of the greatest gifts He gave us. But what are some of most romantic Bible verses about love that exemplify this in a relationship and marriage? We’ve put together a list of some of our favorites below.
Romantic Bible Verses About Joyful Love: The Song of Solomon
These romantic bible verses about love from Song of Solomon, as we know, can be quite revealing, but that was intentional. This kind of beautiful, fulfilling love exists, and it’s a wondrous thing to share in it together and to be grateful that you’ve found the one your soul loves. Below, we’ve laid out our favorite Bible quotes about love from The Song of Solomon.
Song of Solomon 3:4
Scarcely had I passed them when I found the one my heart loves. I held him and would not let him go till I had brought him to my mother’s house, to the room of the one who conceived me.
Song of Solomon 2:16
My lover is mine, and I am his.
Song of Solomon 4:9
You have captured my heart, my treasure, my bride. You hold it hostage with one glance of your eyes, with a single jewel of your necklace.
Song of Solomon 4:10
Your love delights me, my treasure, my bride. Your love is better than wine, your perfume more fragrant than spices.
Song of Solomon 1:16
You are so handsome, my love, pleasing beyond words!
Song of Solomon 1:2
Kiss me and kiss me again, for your love is sweeter than wine.
Romantic Bible Verses About Strength in Love: Proverbs
Love also encapsulates the storms of life; it can’t escape them, and so both of your love will stand strong, or will be hurt. Forgiveness and showing love can be hard at times, and even may seem impossible, but do it. Grow closer together. If God brought you two together, fight for one another, believe in one another. Put it in perspective with the help of these beautiful, Bible quotes about love.
Proverbs 17:9
Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.
Proverbs 30:18-19
There are three things that amaze me—no, four things that I don’t understand: how an eagle glides through the sky, how a snake slithers on a rock, how a ship navigates the ocean, how a man loves a woman.
Romantic Bible Verses About Sacrificial Love
Love is sacrificial. Jacob knew this. Love is also so deep that it spans across time. Always treasure the love you have for one another. Remember the sacrifices. Remember the giving of yourself and of your partner. In marriage, giving yourself up for the sake of another is one of the most beautiful truths to this life-long commitment.
Genesis 29:20
So Jacob worked seven years to pay for Rachel. But his love for her was so strong that it seemed to him but a few days.
Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
Lastly, don’t forget what love is. Where are you both today? How far have you come? Continue to hold fast to the hope within you. Continue to hold fast to the hope and love in God’s Word and what He declares over you. Today, hold each other tighter, rejoice in the truth and always trust in each other’s love.
1 Corinthians 13:4–8
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, 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. Love never fails…
