Relationship Verses From The Bible And God

Relationships, both human to human and God to human, are THE central theme in the Bible. Therefore, the Bible is full of significant relationship verses. Relationship verses from the Bible cover topics such as friendship, marriage, parents and children, relationships between Christians, relationships in general, and even the proper way to relate to the poor and oppressed.

Although there are numerous relationship verses from the Bible, below are what I've determined to be the top 20 relationship verses from the Bible, organized by category.

Relationship Verses from the Bible for Marriage

1. "And the Lord God said, 'It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him" (Genesis 2:18 NKJV).

From the beginning of time, God intended for men to enjoy the companionship of women. This verse states that woman is comparable to man, showing that in the marriage relationship, both men and woman are of equal value in God's eyes.

2. "Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, than in a house shared with a contentious woman" (Proverbs 21:9 NKJV).

Men would rather be almost anywhere than around a contentious wife. Unless women want their husbands to hide from them, they should think twice before they nag and complain about every little thing.

3. "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 NKJV).

Love and respect are vital aspects of any marriage relationship. Although both men and women need both love and respect, a woman will do almost anything for a man who treats her in a loving manner and a man will do almost anything for a woman who treats him with respect.

4. "Do not deprive one another [sexually] except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control" (1 Corinthians 7:5 NKJV).

This verse exhorts husbands and wives not to deprive each other sexually. Sexual abstinence, within the context of the relationship of marriage, should happen only by mutual consent, for the sole purpose of prayer and fasting. After a short period of sexual abstinence, husbands and wives should resume normal sexual relations in order to avoid temptation.

5. "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteous with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14)

When people who are committed to a particular religion choose to marry someone of another religion or no religion, they are setting the relationship up for failure. A lack of compatibility in the area of religion makes it difficult for a husband and wife to connect on the deepest level.

Relationship Verses from the Bible for Parents and Children

6. "Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right" (Ephesians 6:1 NKJV).

Nowadays it is not uncommon to run into families where the children, rather than the parents are in charge. But the Bible makes it clear that in proper family relationships, the children obey the parents rather than it being the other way around.

7. "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4 NKJV).

Relationship verses from the Bible don't just tell children what to do; they also instruct parents regarding proper family relationships. Fathers are instructed to relate to their children in a way that is kind and gentle.

Relationship Verses from the Bible for General Relationships

8. "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem others better than himself" (Philippians 2:3 NJKV).

Man's natural tendency is to "look out for number one" but what a different world it would be if relationships were based on honoring others rather than promoting ourselves.

9. "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18 NKJV).

Many relationships are destroyed because of pride. Pride prevents people from being quick to apologize and ask forgiveness and it also often leads to selfishness when one person feels superior to another.

10. "Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed" (James 5:16 The Message).

Relationships are whole and healthy when in humility, each person freely admits his faults to others.

11. "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2 NKJV).

Healthy relationships include mutual burden bearing. There is great joy and relief when others walk along side us and help us carry our burdens, especially during tough times.

12. "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 NIV).

Words spoken in anger or frustration have damaged more than one relationship. Choosing to speak in such a way that builds others up is a key component of healthy relationships.

13. "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32 NKJV).

Relationships do not survive without kindness and forgiveness. As Christ has forgiven us even though we don't deserve it, we should also forgive others even when they are truly wrong.

Relationship Verses from the Bible for Relationships Between Christians

14. "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together. . ." (Hebrews 10:24, 25a NJKV).

Christians are not meant to be isolated from relationships with other Christians, but rather are to get together regularly for the purpose of encouraging each other in the area of love and good works.

15. "First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. . ." (Matthew 5:24 NJKV).

Any time people, including Christians, are involved in relationships with each other there is bound to be some conflict from time to time. It's important for Christians to reconcile with each other before worshipping God; conflict between others impacts not only human relationships, but relationships with God as well.

16. "And how dare you take each other to court! When you think you have been wronged, does it make any sense to go before a court that knows nothing of God's ways instead of a family of Christians?" (1 Corinthians 6:1 The Message)

Disputes between Christians are best handled with mediation from within the church. Done properly, this often leads to not just a fair decision being rendered, but the ultimate goal is to reconcile the relationship as well.

Relationship Verses from the Bible About the Poor

17. "Blessed is he who considers the poor, the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble" (Psalm 41:1).

Those who live by the Bible are exhorted to be in relationship with those less fortunate than them. Giving to the poor is an important aspect of biblical relationships.

Relationship Verses from the Bible about Anger

18. "My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry" (James 1:19 NLT).

How different relationships would be if we would simply heed the advice is this verse. It's interesting to note that we are not instructed not to speak, but rather to focus more on listening, and then after careful consideration, speak without anger.

19. "Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath" (Ephesians 4:26 NJKV).

This verse indicates that anger is an okay part of relationships, but that it needs to be done in a proper way, with the goal of reconciling, or at least letting go of anger before going to bed at night.

20. "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (Proverbs 15:1 NKJV).

Anger is a common problem in close relationships. During arguments, the tendency is for the decibel level to rise, which doesn't help the situation and only causes the anger level to increase. On the other hand, a soft answer in the midst of conflict can reduce the level of anger.