Bible Verses for Your Wedding, Part II
In Part One of this article, we discussed the sometimes
challenging task of choosing Bible verses for your wedding
ceremony and listed possible choices from the Old Testament and
Apocrypha. In Part Two we continue with a list of possibilities
from the Gospels and New Testament. We will also discuss some
tried and true methods for narrowing down the choices.
The Gospels
Matthew 5:1-10 The famous Beatitudes, which proclaim God's favor
to those who try to live by God's law. (See Luke 6:17-49 for a
shorter account of The Sermon on the Mount which also includes a
few other verses found elsewhere in Matthew.) Matthew 7:24-27 A
metaphor on establishing your home on a foundation in God.
Matthew 22:35-40 The greatest commandment of love and the many
ways it applies to life. Mark 2:18-22 Christ as the bridegroom
and His followers as the bride. Mark 10: 42-45 It is better to
serve than to be served John 2:1-11 The wedding at Cana where
Christ performs his first miracle of turning water to wine. John
3:16 The famous "For God so loved the world." John 14:6 "I am
the way, the truth, and the life..." John 15:9-17 An admonition
to love one another and Christ's sacrificial love for us.
Verses from the New Testament
Romans 12:9-18 The Christian's duty to love and all that is
encompassed by that duty: hope, patience, prayer, compassion,
and more. Be sure to compare this passage to the 13th chapter of
First Corinthians. I Corinthians 13 Perhaps the most famous of
all wedding Bible verses, this chapter defines the ultimate gift
of the Spirit: Love. I Corinthians 14:1 "Make love your aim" in
all you do. (Verses 2-5 go on to discuss the superior gift of
prophecy rather than speaking in tongues.) I Corinthians 16:14
Be certain that everything you do is motivated by love. 2
Corinthians 5:14-17 Through Christ's sacrificial love, we have
become new creations. Ephesians 2:4-10 God's gracious love for
us saves us through faith. Ephesians 4:25-5:2 Be loving and
forgiving, speaking only good and imitating Christ." ...let not
the sun go down upon your wrath..." (KJV) Check on more modern
translations for a better reading. Ephesians 5:21-33 This
passage depicting the Christian home is difficult for some
because it deals with "submission theology." However, the
general thought is mutual submission. Understand it from an
early church point of view. Philippians 2:1-5 Guard against
selfishness. Be humble and serve others. Philippians 4:4-9
Rejoice and don't be anxious. Live honorably and justly, and
God's peace will be a part of your lives. Colossians 3:12-17 The
Christian life lived in love and harmony. Do all in Christ's
name. Colossians 3:18-20 More submission theology with the
admonition to husbands to love their wives. I John 3:1 "Behold,
what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us..." (KJV) I
John 3:16 Christ's example of sacrificial love. I John 3:18-24
Believe in Christ, and keep His commandments by loving one
another. I John 4:7 Love each other because love comes from God.
I John 4:16-19 God loves us. If we live in love, it serves as a
sign that God lives in us. We are capable of love only because
God loved us first. Revelation 19:1; 5-9 A glorious celebration
in heaven for the marriage of the Lamb of God. The church is
depicted as the Bride.
In reading these selections, you may find yourself reading
beyond the verses. This is an excellent idea because the context
may surprise you in some cases. For example, Ruth 1:16 is a
popular verse and is often used in weddings. (There are endless
vocal music settings of this text as well, so don