Engagement rings symbolize love and commitment, but what does the Bible say about them? While the tradition is cultural, the Bible emphasizes the deeper meaning of promises. Today, we’ll look at what Scripture reveals about engagement and commitment.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About God Being With Us
What Does The Bible Say About Engagement Rings
Song of Solomon 2:16
“My beloved is mine and I am his.”
This verse speaks of the deep connection and commitment between two individuals. It symbolizes the bond of love and the mutual ownership that exists in a relationship.
An engagement ring serves as a tangible representation of this verse, symbolizing the promise to be united and committed to one another. It is a visible reminder of the devotion and love shared between a couple.
Proverbs 18:22
“He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.”
This verse highlights the significance of finding a spouse, emphasizing that it is a blessing from God. An engagement ring serves as a symbol of the commitment to marry and build a life together.
Just as the husband in this verse receives favor from the Lord by finding a wife, the presentation of an engagement ring represents the beginning of a journey towards a lifelong partnership filled with God’s favor and blessings.
1 Corinthians 7:9
“But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”
Paul urges those who struggle with their desires to marry instead of succumbing to temptation. An engagement ring can serve as a visible commitment to honor God’s plan for purity and to walk in obedience to His Word.
By entering into engagement, a couple affirms their desire to pursue a godly relationship and acknowledges the importance of marriage in providing a healthy expression of their love and passion.
Genesis 2:24
“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”
This verse describes the divine design of marriage, where two individuals become one in a spiritual and physical union. An engagement ring represents the anticipation and preparation for this unity.
It symbolizes the journey of leaving one’s family and forming a new family, bound by the covenant of marriage. The engagement ring serves as a reminder of the ultimate goal – the unbreakable oneness that spouses strive to achieve.
Ephesians 5:25
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
This verse highlights the sacrificial love that husbands are called to demonstrate towards their wives. An engagement ring can serve as a symbol of a husband’s commitment to love and cherish his future wife, just as Christ sacrificially loved the church.
It reminds both spouses of the selflessness required in marriage and the willingness to lay down one’s life for the sake of the other. The ring serves as a reminder to continually strive for the kind of love that mirrors Christ’s love for the church.
Matthew 19:6
“So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
This verse emphasizes the permanence and sacredness of the marital bond. An engagement ring symbolizes the intention to honor God’s design for marriage and the commitment to hold fast to the covenant made with one another.
It acts as a constant reminder of the unity that God has established and serves as a visible symbol of the couple’s dedication to nurturing, protecting, and preserving their union.
Ruth 1:16
“But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.”
In this verse, Ruth expressed her steadfast commitment to her mother-in-law, Naomi, through thick and thin, even in difficult circumstances. An engagement ring can serve as a similar expression of unwavering loyalty and devotion.
It represents the willingness to journey through life together, embracing each other’s families, cultures, and faith. The ring becomes a physical reminder of the promise to remain faithful and united in all circumstances, just as Ruth did for Naomi.
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.”
This well-known passage describes the characteristics of true love. An engagement ring can serve as a reminder of the commitment to love one another in this selfless and enduring manner.
Each time the ring is seen, it can prompt the couple to reflect on these qualities and strive to embody them within their relationship. It symbolizes the pursuit of a love that is patient, kind, forgiving, and always seeks the best for one another.
Colossians 3:14
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
This verse encourages believers to let love be the key virtue that binds all other virtues together. An engagement ring can symbolize this binding love that unites a couple on their journey towards marriage.
As they wear their rings, they are reminded of the love that holds their relationship together, even during challenging times. The ring serves as a representation of the unbreakable bond formed by their love and their shared commitment to honor and grow in that love.
Genesis 29:20
“So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.”
In this verse, Jacob’s love for Rachel was so powerful that the time he spent waiting for her felt like a short period. An engagement ring can signify the depth of love that makes the waiting worthwhile.
Each time the ring catches the eye, it can remind the couple of the love they share, bringing back the joy and anticipation of their future together. It represents the commitment to persevere and wait for the one they love, just as Jacob did for Rachel.
Proverbs 3:3-4
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”
This passage exhorts believers to embrace love and faithfulness as foundational virtues. An engagement ring can serve as a tangible symbol of these qualities, reminding the couple to continuously nurture them within their relationship.
The ring becomes a token of their commitment to love and remain faithful to each other, both in the sight of God and those around them. It represents the desire to cultivate a relationship that reflects God’s love and integrity.
Proverbs 31:10
“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.”
This verse praises the value of a virtuous and godly wife. An engagement ring can serve as a token of the worth and honor placed upon a future wife, recognizing her as a rare and precious gem in the life of her partner.
It signifies the commitment to cherish and treasure her, valuing her character and virtue above material possessions. The ring becomes a constant reminder of the priceless value of a woman who fears the Lord.
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.”
This verse encourages selflessness and a humble attitude in relationships. An engagement ring can serve as a reminder to prioritize the needs and interests of one’s partner above one’s own.
Each time the ring is seen, it prompts the couple to live with humility and a willingness to sacrifice for the well-being of the other. It symbolizes the commitment to love and serve one another as Christ exemplified through His selfless sacrifice.
1 John 4:19
“We love because he first loved us.”
This verse highlights the source of love – God’s love for humanity. An engagement ring can serve as a reminder that the love shared between a couple is a reflection of God’s love within them.
Wearing the ring becomes a symbolic act of gratitude for God’s love and a commitment to love one another in response to His love. The ring represents the intertwining of their love with God’s perfect love.
1 Thessalonians 3:12
“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.”
The apostle Paul prays for the Thessalonian believers, asking God to expand their love for one another and for others. An engagement ring symbolizes the desire for love to grow and overflow within a relationship.
It serves as a constant reminder to actively pursue the growth of their love, not only towards each other but also towards those around them. The ring becomes a focal point for prayer, asking God to continually deepen and expand their love.
Hebrews 13:4
“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of honoring marriage and maintaining purity within it. An engagement ring can symbolize the commitment to enter into marriage with pure intentions and to strive for faithfulness.
Wearing the ring serves as a reminder of the responsibility to honor the sanctity of marriage and the consequences of straying from the path of faithfulness. It represents the desire to uphold God’s standard of purity and faithfulness in the marital relationship.
Proverbs 5:18-19
“May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer— may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.”
This passage celebrates the joy and satisfaction found within the confines of a committed marital relationship. An engagement ring can symbolize the anticipation of experiencing the deep love and intimacy described in this verse.
It serves as a reminder of the future fulfillment and delight that will be shared between husband and wife. The ring represents the commitment to cherish and find joy in the lifelong union that lies ahead.
Ephesians 4:2
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
This verse encourages believers to display humility, gentleness, and patience in their relationships. An engagement ring can serve as a reminder to cultivate these virtues in the context of a future marriage.
Wearing the ring symbolizes the commitment to show grace and love when facing challenges and disagreements. It represents the dedication to bear with one another’s imperfections and to strive for unity through humility and gentleness.
1 Peter 3:7
“Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.”
In this verse, husbands are exhorted to treat their wives with consideration, respect, and honor. An engagement ring can serve as a visual reminder to fulfill this biblical instruction.
The ring symbolizes the commitment to honor and regard one’s future spouse, recognizing her as an equal heir of God’s grace. It reminds husbands to cultivate an atmosphere of love and respect within their marriages, ensuring that their prayers are not hindered.
1 Peter 4:8
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
This verse highlights the importance of love that goes beyond surface-level affection. An engagement ring can symbolize the commitment to love one another deeply, even in the face of imperfections and shortcomings.
Wearing the ring serves as a reminder to extend grace, forgiveness, and understanding towards one another. It symbolizes the commitment to nurture a love that seeks to cover and overcome any offenses or mistakes, just as Christ’s love covers our sins.
John 15:12
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
In this verse, Jesus commands His followers to love one another as He has loved them. An engagement ring can symbolize the commitment to love in a selfless and sacrificial manner, mirroring Christ’s love.
Each time the ring is seen, it prompts the couple to reflect upon the way Christ has loved them and challenges them to demonstrate that same love towards one another. The ring symbolizes the dedication to emulate the love of Christ within their relationship.
Proverbs 12:4
“A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.”
This verse emphasizes the impact a wife’s character can have on her husband’s life. An engagement ring can serve as a reminder of the commitment to cultivate noble character and become a crown of blessing to one’s future spouse.
It symbolizes the desire to honor, respect, and support the husband in a way that edifies and brings joy. The ring represents the commitment to be a source of strength and encouragement, rather than a burden or decay.
1 Corinthians 13:13
“And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
This verse highlights the enduring qualities of faith, hope, and love. An engagement ring can serve as a symbol of the love that lies at the core of a successful and thriving relationship.
The ring becomes a reminder that true love never fails, that it encompasses faith and hope, and that it has the power to overcome any obstacle. It represents the commitment to prioritize and nurture love above all else.
Matthew 19:5
“For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”
This verse emphasizes the unity and oneness that is formed in marriage. An engagement ring can serve as a tangible symbol of the deep connection and commitment between two individuals.
Wearing the ring becomes a visible reminder of the intention to leave one’s family and create a new family unit. The ring symbolizes the desire to become one in heart, mind, and spirit, as the couple prepares for their future union.