Marriage problems can leave you feeling trapped between the vows you made and the reality of living with someone whose presence causes pain, disappointment, or frustration rather than the partnership you dreamed of building together. Whether you’re dealing with communication breakdowns that leave both of you feeling unheard and misunderstood, financial disagreements that create constant tension, struggling with intimacy issues that have created emotional or physical distance, or deeper problems like infidelity, addiction, or emotional abuse, the strain of a troubled marriage affects every aspect of your life.
The isolation that comes with marriage problems is uniquely painful because the person you should be able to turn to for support has become the source of your hurt. Some couples find themselves caught in destructive cycles where the same arguments repeat endlessly without resolution, while others have drifted into cold coexistence where they function more like roommates than lovers. The weight of wondering whether your marriage can be saved, whether you should stay or leave, and how to protect your heart while still honoring your commitment can feel crushing.
These verses provide biblical wisdom for navigating marriage difficulties with hope, offering guidance for rebuilding trust, practicing forgiveness, and seeking God’s help to heal what seems irreparably broken.
Bible Verses for Marriage Problems
1. Matthew 19:6 – What God Has Joined Together
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.
New International Version (NIV)
2. Ephesians 5:25 – Husbands, Love Your Wives
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
English Standard Version (ESV)
3. 1 Peter 4:8 – Above All, Love Each Other Deeply
And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
New King James Version (NKJV)
4. Colossians 3:13 – Bear with Each Other and Forgive
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
New Living Translation (NLT)
5. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – Love Is Patient, Love Is Kind
Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not conceited, does not act improperly, is not selfish, is not provoked, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
6. Ephesians 4:32 – Be Kind and Compassionate to One Another
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
7. 1 Corinthians 7:3 – The Husband Should Fulfill His Marital Duty
Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
King James Version (KJV)
8. 1 Peter 3:7 – Husbands, in the Same Way Be Considerate
Husbands, in the same way, show consideration for your wives in your life together, paying honor to the woman as the weaker sex, since they too are also heirs of the gracious gift of life—so that nothing may hinder your prayers.
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
9. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – Two Are Better Than One
It’s better to have a partner than go it alone. Share the work, share the wealth. And if one falls down, the other helps, but if there’s no one to help, tough!
The Message (MSG)
10. Ephesians 5:33 – Each One of You Must Love His Wife
However, each one of you [without exception] is to love his wife as [he loves] himself [with behavior worthy of respect and esteem, always seeking the best for her with an attitude of lovingkindness], and the wife [must see to it that she] respects and delights in her husband [that she notices him and prefers him and treats him with loving concern, treasuring him, honoring him, and holding him dear].
Amplified Bible (AMP)
11. Genesis 2:24 – A Man Leaves His Father and Mother
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one family.
New English Translation (NET)
12. Proverbs 5:18 – May Your Fountain Be Blessed
Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
13. Mark 10:9 – Therefore What God Has Joined Together
Don’t let anyone separate what God has joined together.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
14. Ephesians 5:21 – Submit to One Another Out of Reverence for Christ
Submit yourselves to one another because of your reverence for Christ.
Good News Translation (GNT)
15. Proverbs 21:9 – Better to Live on a Corner of the Roof
It is better to live in a corner of a roof than inside the house with a quarreling wife.
New Century Version (NCV)
16. 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 – A Wife Must Not Separate from Her Husband
To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.
International Standard Version (ISV)
17. Malachi 2:16 – The Man Who Hates and Divorces His Wife
“For I hate divorce!” says Adonai, God of Israel. “And him who covers his garment with violence,” says Adonai-Tzva’ot. “So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not deal treacherously.”
Tree of Life Version (TLV)
18. Proverbs 15:1 – A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Lexham English Bible (LEB)
19. 1 Peter 3:1 – Wives, in the Same Way Submit Yourselves
In the same way, you wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; so that, even if any don’t obey the Word, they may be won by the behavior of their wives without a word.
World English Bible (WEB)
20. Song of Solomon 8:7 – Many Waters Cannot Quench Love
Many waters cannot quench love, Neither can floods drown it: If a man would give all the substance of his house for love, He would utterly be contemned.
American Standard Version (ASV)
21. Romans 12:10 – Be Devoted to One Another in Love
Love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
Revised Standard Version (RSV)
22. Proverbs 31:10-12 – A Wife of Noble Character Who Can Find?
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
New American Bible (NAB)
23. 1 Corinthians 7:5 – Do Not Deprive Each Other
Defraud not one another, except, perhaps, by consent, for a time, that you may give yourselves to prayer; and return together again, lest Satan tempt you for your incontinency.
Douay-Rheims Bible (DRB)
24. Hebrews 13:4 – Marriage Should Be Honored by All
Let marriage be had in honour among all, and let the bed be undefiled: for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
English Revised Version (ERV)
25. Proverbs 12:4 – A Wife of Noble Character
A woman of worth is the crown of her husband, And as rottenness in his bones is one causing shame.
Young’s Literal Translation (YLT)
26. 1 Corinthians 7:14 – The Unbelieving Husband Has Been Sanctified
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the brother.
Darby Translation (DARBY)
27. Ephesians 4:26-27 – In Your Anger Do Not Sin
Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down upon your anger, and do not give opportunity to the devil.
Weymouth New Testament (WNT)
28. Proverbs 19:14 – Houses and Wealth Are Inherited
Housis and richessis ben youun of fadir and modir; but a prudent wijf is youun propirli of the Lord.
Wycliffe Bible (WYC)
29. 1 Timothy 5:8 – Anyone Who Does Not Provide for Their Relatives
But if any prouide not for his owne, and specially for them of his housholde, he denieth the faith, and is worse then an infidel.
Geneva Bible (GNV)
30. Ephesians 5:28 – Husbands Ought to Love Their Wives
So ought men to loue theyr wyues, as theyr owne bodyes. He that loueth his wyfe, loueth him selfe.
Bishop’s Bible
31. Matthew 5:31-32 – Anyone Who Divorces His Wife
It ys sayd: whosoever put awaye his wyfe let hym geve her a testymonyall also of the devorcement. But I say vnto you: whosoever putteth awaye his wyfe (except it be for fornicacion) causeth her to breake matrimony.
Tyndale Bible
32. Proverbs 18:22 – He Who Finds a Wife Finds What Is Good
The man who finds a wife finds a good thing; she is a blessing to him from the Lord.
The Living Bible (TLB)
33. 1 John 4:18 – There Is No Fear in Love
Love never brings fear, for fear is always related to punishment. But love’s perfection drives the fear of punishment far from our hearts. Whoever walks constantly afraid of punishment has not reached love’s perfection.
The Passion Translation (TPT)
34. Genesis 2:18 – It Is Not Good for the Man to Be Alone
Then the Eternal God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make him a companion who is just right for him.”
The Voice Bible (VOICE)
35. Proverbs 17:9 – Whoever Would Foster Love Covers Over an Offense
Whoever forgives someone’s sin makes a friend. But anyone who tells about the sin comes between close friends.
New International Reader’s Version (NIrV)
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Marriage Problems
Scripture presents marriage as a sacred covenant designed to reflect Christ’s relationship with the church, while also acknowledging that two sinful people living together will inevitably face challenges that require grace, forgiveness, and ongoing commitment. The Bible doesn’t promise that marriage will be easy or that following biblical principles guarantees a problem-free relationship, but it does provide clear guidance for handling conflicts, serving one another sacrificially, and pursuing reconciliation when relationships are strained.
What strikes me most about the biblical approach to marriage problems is how it calls both partners to focus on their own responsibilities rather than demanding that their spouse change first. Scripture emphasizes loving sacrificially, forgiving freely, and treating one another with honor regardless of whether these actions are reciprocated. The Bible shows that healthy marriages require both partners to die to self and put the other’s needs above their own preferences.
Scripture also reveals that while God hates divorce and desires marriages to reflect His covenant faithfulness, He understands that some relationships involve abuse, abandonment, or unfaithfulness that may make reconciliation impossible or unwise. The Bible provides grounds for separation in cases of adultery and desertion while always holding reconciliation as the ideal goal. Throughout Scripture, we see that God can heal and restore even deeply broken marriages when both partners are willing to humble themselves, seek help, and commit to doing the hard work of rebuilding trust and intimacy.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, my marriage is struggling, and I feel overwhelmed by the problems we’re facing. The pain of conflict, misunderstanding, and distance from my spouse sometimes feels unbearable. I need Your wisdom, strength, and healing power to restore what has been broken between us.
Help me to examine my own heart first, recognizing the ways I have contributed to our problems through selfishness, pride, poor communication, or lack of forgiveness. Give me humility to acknowledge my faults and the courage to change my behavior, even if my spouse doesn’t change theirs.
Show me how to love my spouse sacrificially the way Christ loved the church, even when I don’t feel loving emotions or when my love isn’t returned. Help me to speak words of kindness and encouragement rather than criticism and contempt. Give me patience to listen well and seek to understand before trying to be understood.
When I feel hurt or angry, help me to respond with grace rather than retaliation. Give me wisdom to know when to address issues directly and when to overlook minor offenses in love. Help me to forgive as You have forgiven me, releasing bitterness and resentment that poison our relationship.
Surround us with wise counselors who can help us navigate these challenges and provide the perspective we cannot see on our own. If there are deep wounds or patterns that require professional help, give us the humility to seek counseling and the courage to do the hard work of healing.
Protect our marriage from the enemy who seeks to destroy what You have joined together. Rebuild trust where it has been broken, restore intimacy where there is distance, and renew our commitment to one another and to You. Help us to remember why we fell in love and to fight for our marriage rather than against each other.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.