The Bible teaches that family relationships are important to God. The universal body of believers is referred to as a family. The Scripture shares many uplifting verses about the family. Here are several verses to provide inspiration and encouragement for families. All biblical references use the New International Version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.
Bible Verses About Family
The Bible gives many examples of families, starting with Adam and Eve and their children. It does not have many verses that address people using the word family. The Bible does speak about individuals, their children and their children's children. It addresses families in terms of their households, using the phrase "from generation to generation."
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1 Timothy 5:8 - "especially for their own household"
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1 Timothy 3:5 - "manage his own family"
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Proverbs 15:27 - "the greedy bring ruin to their households"
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Exodus 3:15 - "the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob … from generation to generation"
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Genesis 17:7 - "between me and you and your descendants"
Bible Verses About Marriage
The Bible speaks on several occasions about the sanctity of marriage. It elevates the marriage relationship by comparing it to the relationship that believers in the church have with Jesus. Many see the attendance of Jesus at a wedding where He performed His first miracle as sanctioning the institution of marriage. Jesus also quoted the passage from the Torah indicating "what God has joined together, let no one separate."
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Ephesians 5:25-27 - "husbands love your wives"
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Ephesians 5:31-32 - "a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife"
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Revelation 19:7-9 - "wedding of the Lamb"
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2 Corinthians 11:2 - "I promised you to one husband"
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Genesis 2:24 - "man leave his father and mother and is united to his wife"
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Mark 10:9 - "what God has joined together, let no one separate"
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1 Corinthians 7:10-11 - "a wife must not separate from her husband … a husband must not divorce his wife"
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John 2:1-12 - Jesus attending the wedding at Cana
Bible Verses Addressing Husbands
The Bible not only gives passages that talk about marriage, it also refers to specific commands give to husbands. The Bible speaks encouragement to husbands about how they can develop better character and leadership within the family.
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Psalm 128:3 - "your wife will be like a fruitful vine"
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1 Timothy 3:4 - "manage his own family well"
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Ephesians 5:25 - "husbands love your wives just as Christ loved the church"
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Ephesians 5:33 - "love his wife as he loves himself"
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Colossians 3:19 - "husbands love your wives and do not be harsh with them"
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Malachi 2:16 - "man who hates and divorces his wife … does violence to the one he should protect"
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1 Peter 3:7 - "husbands … be considerate as you live with your wives and treat them with respect and as heir with you of the gracious gift of life"
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1 Timothy 3:12 - "be faithful to his wife and manage his children and his household well"
Bible Verses Addressing Wives
The Bible gives specific commands and encouragement to women. The Bible elevates the value and importance of women far beyond what the norms of the culture of its day would require. The passages give instruction toward their role in marriage and as a parent.
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1 Peter 3:1 - "Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands"
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Ephesians 5:33 - "each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband."
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Proverbs 31:25 - "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come."
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Proverbs 12:4 - "A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones."
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Proverbs 14:1 - "The wise woman builds her house but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down."
Bible Verses Directed Toward Parents
The Bible also gives uplifting instruction about the role a husband and a wife play as a parent. Commands about their duties and relationship with children are well-defined. God plays a foundational role in the character and behavior of the family.
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Colossians 3:21 - "Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged"
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Deuteronomy 6:6-7 - "These commands … impress them on your children"
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Ephesians 6:4 - "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."
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Proverbs 22:6 - "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it."
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Proverbs 11:29 - "Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,"
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Proverbs 23:15 - "My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed"
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Proverbs 1:8 - "Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching."
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Proverbs 22:15 - "Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away."
Bible Verses About Children
The Bible also directs children toward specific behavior, but also teaches of their value and blessings within the family. Children are to understand and respect authority through the example established within the family. Here are several examples from Scripture.
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Exodus 20:12 - "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you."
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Deuteronomy 5:16 - "Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you."
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Psalm 127:3-5 - "Children are a heritage from the Lord … like arrows in the hands of a warrior"
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Proverbs 6:20 - "My son, keep your father's command and do not forsake your mother's teaching."
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Proverbs 17:17 - "a brother is born for a time of adversity"
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Proverbs 17:6 - "Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children."
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Proverbs 10:1 - "A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother."
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Ephesians 6:1-3 - "Children, obey your parents … Honor your father and mother - which is the first commandment with a promise"
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Proverbs 15:20 - "A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother"
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Luke 18:16 - "Let the little children come to me … the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
Bible Verses About the Role of God in the Family
Within the family unit, parents and children are to see the value of faith. God should play a significant role in the character and in the structure of the home.
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Isaiah 49:15-16 - "Can a mother forget the baby … though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palm of my hands"
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Joshua 24:15 - "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
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Ephesians 3:14-15 - I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name."
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Psalm 103:17 - "the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and … with their children's children."
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Isaiah 66:13 - "as a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you"
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Acts 16:31-34 - "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved - you and your household."
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Acts 10:2 - "He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly."
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2 Corinthians 6:18 - "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters"
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Romans 8:15 - "the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."
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Psalm 27:10 - "Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me."
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Ephesians 1:5 - "he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ"
Bible Verses About Character Traits That Contribute to Strong Families
In some passages of Scripture, the Bible talks about character traits that help family grow stronger. Although the traits are not specific to parents, these traits are essential for families to function in a positive manner.
Unity
Being united in the core aspects of faith and in the expressions of belief provides a foundation for strength and encouragement within the family.
- Psalm 133:1 - "how good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!"
- 1 Corinthians 1:10 - "no divisions among you"
Love
Genuine and sincere love makes up for many mistakes made within the family.
- 1 Corinthians 13:13 - "these three remain: faith, hope and love"
- Proverbs 15:17 - "Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred."
- John 15:12-17 - "Love each other as I have loved you."
- 1 Peter 4:8 - "Love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins"
Forgiveness
The gracious act of forgiveness understands that bad decisions will be made by members of the family. Forgiveness does not hold grudges, but is ready to embrace and love again.
- Colossians 3:13 - "bear with each other and forgive one another"
- Ephesians 4:32 - "be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other"
Faith
Faith provides the anchor to help the family thrive and prosper during the difficult times of life.
- 2 Timothy 1:5 - "sincere faith"
- Hebrews 11:1-3 - "faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see"
From Generation to Generation
The Bible speaks of the value of faith for the stability of the family by strengthening its individual members. There are many uplifting verses in the Bible which inspire and encourage people from generation to generation.
