38 Bible Verses About Relationships

Relationships are the foundation upon which our lives are built, encompassing romantic partnerships, family bonds, friendships, and professional connections. The Bible, with its timeless wisdom, offers countless examples of relationships and their impact on our lives, providing guidance on how to foster healthy connections.

One touching story of friendship in the Bible is that of David and Jonathan, found in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel. Their bond transcended social and political boundaries, highlighting the importance of loyalty, trust, and love. Jonathan, the son of King Saul, and David, a young shepherd destined to be king, formed a deep connection, with Jonathan even risking his life to protect David from his father's anger (1 Samuel 18:1-4, 20). Their friendship flourished through adversity, serving as a testament to the power of genuine human connections.

Using the story of David and Jonathan as a foundation, we can delve into the broader theme of relationships and the guidance the Bible offers for nurturing healthy connections. The following Bible verses guide us toward strong, lasting relationships in all areas of our lives:

Love

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 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."

Ephesians 5:25

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."

John 15:12-13

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."

1 John 4:19

"We love because he first loved us."

Proverbs 17:17

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity."

Forgiveness

Ephesians 4:32

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

Matthew 6:14-15

"For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

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."

Communication

Proverbs 18:21

"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."

James 1:19

"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry."

Proverbs 12:18

"The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."

Ephesians 4:15

"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ."

Trust

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."

Psalm 118:8

"It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans."

Proverbs 11:13

"A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret."

Psalm 56:3-4

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"

Proverbs 29:25

"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe."

Psalm 37:5

"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:"

Isaiah 26:3-4

"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal."

Patience

Ephesians 4:2

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

1 Corinthians 13:4

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud."

Galatians 6:9

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

James 5:7-8

"Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near."

Humility

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."

James 4:6

"But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'"

1 Peter 5:5-6

"In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time."

Boundaries

Proverbs 4:23

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

Galatians 6:5

"For each one should carry their own load."

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?"

1 Corinthians 6:18

"Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body."

Marriage

Mark 10:8-9

"and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."

Ephesians 5:22-23

"Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior."

Genesis 2:24

"That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh."

Proverbs 31:10-12

"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life."

Friendship

Proverbs 27:17

"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."

John 15:14-15

"You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."

Proverbs 27:6

"Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses."

Proverbs 18:24

"One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."

Conclusion

Healthy relationships require effort, commitment, and sacrifice. God created us to be in relationships, and he wants us to experience them in a way that glorifies him. The Bible provides valuable guidance on how to have healthy connections with others, including love, forgiveness, communication, trust, and boundaries. By following these principles, we can experience the joy and blessings that come from healthy relationships.

A Prayer for Healthy Relationships

Dear God, thank you for the gift of relationships. Please help me to love others as you have loved me, to forgive others as you have forgiven me, and to communicate in a way that brings healing and unity. Please give me the wisdom to set healthy boundaries, and the courage to follow them. Please bless my relationships and help me to glorify you in all that I do. In Jesus' name, amen.