Introduction
In Japan many couples marry in a church or chapel, where the pastor leads a ceremony with hymns, Bible readings, vows, the exchange of rings and a closing blessing. These 20 verses, quoted from the World English Bible, form four themes: love, the union of husband and wife, vows and serving one another, and blessing and a shared start. They can also appear on invitations, seating charts and speeches.
What Love Is
1. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
"Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things."
Paul describes love: patient and kind, without envy or pride, bearing all things, believing all things, hoping all things, enduring all things. This is the passage most often read at weddings. Love appears here as choice and daily action, not only a feeling. Couples and guests alike can recognize themselves in it. Read all of 1 Corinthians 13.
2. 1 John 4:7
"Beloved, let’s love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves has been born of God, and knows God."
John writes: let's love one another, for love is of God. A couple's love is not kept up by their efforts alone; it is carried by the love that comes from God. Pastors often quote this verse in their wedding message to turn the eyes toward the source of love. Read all of 1 John 4.
3. 1 John 4:19
"We love him, because he first loved us."
John writes that we love because he first loved us. Someone who knows they were loved first receives the strength to love another. Short and warm, this verse slips easily onto an invitation card. Read it in prayer during the wedding preparations, and again on the day itself. Read all of 1 John 4.
4. 1 Peter 4:8
"And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins."
Peter urges us to be earnest in our love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Married life includes faults and misunderstandings. Love then does not list defects but covers them with forgiveness and understanding. A good verse for a speech to the couple. Read all of 1 Peter 4.
5. Colossians 3:14
"Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection."
Paul teaches that above all these things we should walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. When you see the wedding rings or the ring pillow in the chapel, remember that love is the bond uniting the couple. This verse is often read at the exchange of rings. Read all of Colossians 3.
Two Become One
6. Genesis 2:24
"Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his wife, and they will be one flesh."
Genesis says a man will leave his father and mother and join with his wife, and they will be one flesh. Marriage is the beginning of a new home where two become one. This verse confirms before God both the sadness of leaving parents and the joy of building a home. It is often read during the ceremony. Read all of Genesis 2.
7. Ecclesiastes 4:12
"If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken."
Ecclesiastes says a threefold cord is not quickly broken. It is often interpreted this way: when God is added as a third strand to the couple's cord, the bond becomes strong. This verse suits a speech that invites the couple to put God at the center of their relationship. Read all of Ecclesiastes 4.
8. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another to lift him up."
Ecclesiastes says two are better than one, because if one falls, the other lifts up his fellow. Marriage doubles joy and shares sorrow. What a gift to have someone to lift you up when you fall! Offer this verse with gratitude, confirming that mutual support. Read all of Ecclesiastes 4.
9. Proverbs 18:22
"Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Yahweh."
Proverbs says whoever finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor of Yahweh. The verse is written from the husband's point of view, but gratitude for receiving a spouse as a gift from God applies to both. It suits a toast at the wedding banquet. Read all of Proverbs 18.
10. Song of Songs 2:16
"My beloved is mine, and I am his. He browses among the lilies."
In the Song of Songs the beloved says: my beloved is mine, and I am his. This is the word of an intimate love in which each belongs to the other. The Bible presents married love as beautiful and joyful. Add this verse to a greeting card or a private message from the couple. Read all of Song of Songs 2.
Vows and Serving One Another
11. Ephesians 4:2-3
"with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love, being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Paul recommends humility, patience and bearing with one another in love. Married life is built from small sacrifices and thoughtful gestures. Before the ceremony, read this passage with your future spouse and look for ways to live it out every day, even in small things. Read all of Ephesians 4.
12. Romans 12:10
"In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate to one another; in honor preferring one another;"
Paul urges tender affection and honor toward one another. In a couple too, affection goes hand in hand with respect. Recognizing the other's efforts and ideas sustains a marriage over the long run. In a speech, this verse expresses the wish that the newlyweds will always honor each other. Read all of Romans 12.
13. Ephesians 5:21
"subjecting yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ."
Paul says to subject ourselves to one another in the fear of Christ. Marriage is not a relationship where one obeys the other; each puts himself or herself at the other's service. Read as the background to the vows, this verse paints a couple of equals who respect each other. Offer it in your message. Read all of Ephesians 5.
14. 1 Peter 3:8
"Finally, all of you be like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous,"
Peter teaches us to be like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers and tenderhearted. Beyond the couple, harmony between the two families is also a blessing of marriage. At the reception, this verse expresses the wish that the two families become one, sharing joys and sorrows together. Read all of 1 Peter 3.
15. Ephesians 4:32
"And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you."
Paul asks us to be kind and tenderhearted, forgiving each other as God in Christ forgave us. Forgiving each other is one of the most important things in marriage. Even in a small quarrel, remember the forgiveness you received from God and have the courage to apologize first. Read all of Ephesians 4.
Blessing and a Shared Start
16. Numbers 6:24-26
"‘Yahweh bless you, and keep you. Yahweh make his face to shine on you, and be gracious to you. Yahweh lift up his face toward you, and give you peace.’"
This blessing from Numbers is the best-loved closing blessing at church weddings. It asks for protection, grace and peace for the new couple. When the pastor speaks it, all the guests receive it together with the couple. It also suits the end of an invitation or a thank-you letter. Read all of Numbers 6.
17. Romans 15:13
"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit."
Paul prays that the God of hope would fill us with joy, peace and hope. A wedding day is a hopeful start. Trials will come alongside joys, but this prayer asks that the God of hope fill the couple in every case, in good days and hard ones alike. Read all of Romans 15.
18. Philippians 1:6
"being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."
Paul is confident that the one who began a good work will complete it. If God has brought two people together, his guidance does not stop on the wedding day but lasts for life. Put this certainty into your speech: God will lead their path to the end. Read all of Philippians 1.
19. Psalm 118:24
"This is the day that Yahweh has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!"
The psalmist sings: this is the day that Yahweh has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. On the morning of the wedding, read it with your future spouse and receive this day as a gift from God. It is short and easy to remember, so easy to write on a seating chart or welcome sign. Read all of Psalm 118.
20. Psalm 107:1
"Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever."
The psalmist calls us to give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good and his loving kindness endures forever. Before the toast at the banquet, you can say this verse as thanksgiving. Thank God for his unchanging love, together with your parents, friends and all who have supported you. Read all of Psalm 107.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Which verses are often read at a church wedding?
The love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13, Genesis 2:24 and 1 John 4:7 are often read. At the end, Numbers 6:24-26 is often spoken as the blessing. The order of service varies by church, so ask the officiant.
Can I marry in a church without being a Christian?
It depends on the church or chapel. Some accept non-believers after marriage preparation. The ceremony is a service in which you promise faithfulness before God, so it is important to understand that. Contact the church directly in advance.
Can I add a verse to an invitation or seating chart?
Yes. Short verses such as 1 John 4:19 or Psalm 118:24 work well. If many guests are not Christians, present the verse as a word of love and thanks, without pressing the point.