Engagement is a beautiful season of preparing for a lifelong journey with your partner. The Bible offers wisdom and guidance for this exciting time. Let’s explore some meaningful verses that inspire love, commitment, and faith as you and your fiancé take this significant step together.
Bible Verses About Engagement
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – Love is essential in any engagement
“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.”
Song of Solomon 2:7 – Cherishing love during the engagement
“Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.”
Proverbs 18:22 – Finding a partner through divine connection
“He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.”
Ephesians 4:2 – The importance of humility in engagement
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Encouragement and support during engagement
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
Colossians 3:14 – Love is the foundation of every relationship
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
1 John 4:12 – Reflecting God’s love in our relationships
“No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”
Philippians 1:3 – Joy in the journey of engagement
“I thank my God every time I remember you.
Romans 13:10 – Love fulfills all obligations in relationships
“Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
1 Peter 4:8 – Maintaining love through challenges
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
Proverbs 27:17 – Growing together in engagement
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Mark 10:9 – God’s blessing on marriage
“Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trusting God in the engagement process
“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.”
John 15:12 – The call to love one another
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – The strength of companionship
“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.”
1 Corinthians 16:14 – The importance of love in all actions
“Do everything in love.”
Romans 12:10 – Deepening relationships through honor and respect
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Galatians 5:22-23 – The fruits of a loving engagement
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
Isaiah 54:5 – A reminder of commitment
“For your Maker is your husband—the LORD Almighty is his name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.”
1 Timothy 4:12 – Being an example in love
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
Hebrews 10:24-25 – Gathering together in love
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.”
Matthew 5:14-16 – Letting your love shine
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”
Colossians 3:19 – Loving wisely in engagement
“Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.”
Proverbs 31:10 – The value of a noble partner
“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.”
James 1:19 – Practicing patience in discussions
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
Isaiah 63:9 – God’s presence and love in our engagements
“In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.”
Romans 15:13 – Abounding in hope with love
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Matthew 19:6 – The sanctity and unity of marriage
“So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
Philippians 1:9 – Praying for love to abound
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 – New beginnings in engagement
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
Matthew 18:20 – The presence of Christ in love
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
Psalm 37:4 – Delighting in love and the Lord
“Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
John 3:16 – God’s ultimate love as our example
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Also Read: 30 Most Popular Bible Verses in Joshua
What Does the Bible Say About Engagement
When we explore what the Bible says about engagement, we find that the Scriptures place significant emphasis on the sanctity and intentions behind the act of becoming engaged. While the term “engagement” as we understand it today does not appear explicitly in the Bible, the principles surrounding betrothal, a similar concept, offer us valuable insights.
In biblical times, betrothal was a formal and legally binding agreement, much more serious than our modern conception of engagement. It marked the initial phase of the covenant bond of marriage. For example, in the story of Mary and Joseph, they were betrothed, which indicated a deep commitment and respect for the process leading to a lifelong union (Matthew 1:18-19). The seriousness with which betrothal was treated reflects how engagement should be approached—as a significant step that requires thoughtfulness and respect.
Engaged couples in biblical times were expected to honor each other and remain faithful, underscoring the importance of fidelity even before marriage. This commitment resonates with the values found in the Bible around relationship: loyalty, love, and faithfulness (Ephesians 5:22-33). These principles guide us in treating engagement not just as a preliminary step, but as an essential stage in establishing a foundation for a God-centered marriage.
Moreover, parental and communal involvement was often a part of the engagement process. This involvement signifies the importance of accountability and support from family and community in preparing for marriage. It reminds us that our relationships are not isolated but are meant to exist within the larger context of a supportive Christian community.
Additionally, we see in the Bible that engagement should be approached with a heart aligned to God’s purpose. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not to rely solely on our understanding. This is particularly pertinent when making life-altering decisions, such as engagement, signifying that seeking God’s guidance and wisdom is crucial.
In conclusion, while the Bible may not provide a direct equivalent to modern engagement, it offers substantial principles through the concept of betrothal. These include commitment, fidelity, community involvement, and seeking divine guidance. As we contemplate the path to marriage, these biblical insights help us approach engagement with the respect and reverence it deserves, ensuring that it aligns with our faith and values.