Can you feel it? Valentine's Day is just a blink away! With hearts and flowers popping up everywhere again, now is a great time to ponder on our relationships specifically in the context of our faith. What does it mean to have a God-centered relationship? How does Christ's example of love translate to our daily lives with our husband, wife, fiance, or partner?
Here, we've selected some of the best Bible quotes for couples in romantic relationships. These are eternal lines that can serve as profound reminders or pieces of advice for anyone who loves a significant other. May we read, reflect, and realize these words.
1. "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. Love never fails."
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
We of course start this list with this timeless description of real love between two people. As a Christian message, this passage is complete and perfect in itself. No matter how many times this is quoted in weddings and anniversaries, it will always be true, applicable, and sweetly genuine.
2. "Two are better than one
because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up."
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Such a solid reminder for Christian couples! Whether in a marriage of 20 years or in a blossoming new relationship, love entails being there to help each other in tough times. It's not just about enjoying the fair weather together, but also sharing the weight of the other's difficulties. This is a habit to intentionally cultivate especially as the relationship grows longer, because as time passes, the initial excitement of love grows thin and couples tend to neglect the give-and-take dynamic.
3. "I have found the one whom my soul loves."
Song of Solomon 3:4
Song of Solomon is filled with amazing declarations of love, and this one is a perennial favorite. A soul-deep love is the deepest and purest form of affinity one can have. In the Bible, this particular verse seems to be referring to finding God in one's spiritual search. But a further interpretation suggests that this line can also apply to finding one's human soulmate, as that soulmate can be one's path towards finding God Himself. Thus, this lovely passage is just appropriate for the union of two Christian souls who pave the way for each other in their spiritual journey.
Wall art pictured above: "Found The One Whom My Soul Loves" Premium Canvas
4. "Better is a dinner of herbs where love is
than a fattened ox and hatred with it."
Proverbs 15:17
In other words, love makes even the most humble things better. We can take this literally to mean that cooking or eating with love results in such delicious dishes, but it's a far more universal truth than that. Any deed -- from cooking to parenting to charity -- feels better when done out of genuine love. On the other hand, if we act while holding animosity in our hearts, the act feels fake and hollow -- both to the doer and the receiver. It's more worthwhile to do small things with sincere care.
5. "Many waters cannot quench love,
neither can floods drown it."
Song of Solomon 8:7
Real love is a mighty fire that can't just be put out by other forces. Applying this to the married life, or even just to a long-term romantic relationship, it's a reminder to keep our affections and care alive if we are to truly live out the love described in the Bible. Many times, relationships die out because the parties forget to stoke the fire, especially when challenges and pressures come crashing in. But when the union is bonded by genuine love, it involves the active and continual act to keep the love alive.
6. "Let love be genuine.
Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good."
Romans 12:9
It's interesting and appropriate that a Bible passage about love reminds us to be moral individuals. Morality and ethics are not the first things we usually think of when talking about romantic love. But if we think about it, one of the pillars of a lasting relationship is that each party must constantly choose to do good and stay away from temptations. Our individual uprightness is vital if we want to show genuine love.
Necklaces pictured above: "Love Forever" Couple's Heart Necklaces
7. "With all humility and gentleness,
with patience, bearing with one another in love."
Ephesians 4:2
Perhaps our favorite elaboration of this verse comes from theologian Albert Barnes (he's referring to a married couple but this can also apply to younger relationships): "A husband and wife - such is the imperfection of human nature - can find enough in each other to embitter life, if they choose to magnify imperfections, and to become irritated at trifles; and there is no friendship that may not be marred in this way, if we will allow it... [W]e must learn to bear and forbear. We must indulge the friend that we love in the little peculiarities of saying and doing things which may be important to him, but which may be of little moment to us...
"[I]t is by the daily and quiet virtues of life - the Christian temper, the meek forbearance, the spirit of forgiveness in the husband, the wife, the father, the mother, the brother, the sister, the friend, the neighbor - that good is to be done."
8. "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly,
since love covers a multitude of sins."
1 Peter 4:8
Similar to the Ephesians verse about forbearing, this gentle passage from Peter refers to how real love is bigger than our beloved's flaws and faults. When they make a mistake, we may naturally be disappointed, but if we love them earnestly, their mistakes won't stop us from loving them. This message should also apply to love in other contexts, such as love for our family, friends, and neighbors.
Which one of these love lines from the Bible resonates the most in your relationship? Don't forget to bookmark these verses in your Holy Book so you and your beloved can visit and revisit them.
If you're looking for Christian gift ideas for Valentine's Day, browse ChristianStyle.com for lovely Bible verse art, clothing, and accessories. Happy browsing, and may you have a beautifully blessed February 14th!