What Does The Bible Say About Abuse From A Spouse? (35 Bible Verses)
Abuse should never have a place in any relationship, yet sadly, it occurs far too often, even within marriages. What does the Bible say about abuse from a spouse, and how should we address it? Let’s explore the biblical principles of love, respect, and justice that empower us to stand against abuse and cultivate healthy, thriving relationships built on mutual respect and care.
What Does The Bible Say About Abuse From A Spouse
Genesis 2:24 – The Institution of Marriage
“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”
1 Corinthians 7:3-4 – The Mutual Obligations of Marriage
“The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife.”
1 Peter 3:7 – Treating Each Other with Respect
“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.”
Ephesians 5:25 – Selfless Love
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
Colossians 3:19 – Avoiding Anger and Harshness
“Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.”
Proverbs 12:18 – The Power of Words
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
Matthew 5:28 – Avoiding Lustful Thoughts
“But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Galatians 5:22-23 – The Fruits of the Spirit
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.”
Matthew 5:39 – Turning the Other Cheek
“But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”
Proverbs 3:3-4 – Never Letting Go of Love and Faithfulness
“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.”
1 John 4:19 – Loving Because God First Loved Us
“We love because he first loved us.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – 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. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
Matthew 19:6 – God’s Plan for Marriage
“So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
Proverbs 14:29 – Being Slow to Anger
“Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – The Characteristics of Love
“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.”
Psalm 55:22 – Casting Burdens on the Lord
“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trusting in the Lord
“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.”
1 Peter 4:8 – The Power of Love
“Above all, love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
Psalm 34:17-18 – Drawing Near to the Brokenhearted
“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
1 Corinthians 7:10-11 – Staying Together in Marriage
“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.”
James 1:19 – Listening and Being Slow to Speak
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
Proverbs 31:26 – Speaking with Kindness
“She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.”
Matthew 19:9 – Avoiding Adultery
“I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
Psalm 147:3 – Healing the Brokenhearted
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
1 Corinthians 13:13 – The Greatest Commandment
“And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
Proverbs 16:24 – Pleasant Words
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Proverbs 31:20 – Extending Helping Hands
“She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.”
Matthew 6:14-15 – Forgiveness
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Psalm 55:22 – Trusting God’s Care
“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
Romans 12:17-21 – Overcoming Evil with Good
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Psalm 37:8-9 – Being Patient and Trusting in the Lord
“Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.”
Matthew 22:39 – Loving Your Neighbor as Yourself
“And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Proverbs 19:11 – Showing Self-Control
“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”
Proverbs 11:17 – Showing Kindness
“Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.”
Matthew 5:44 – Praying for Those Who Hurt You
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Psalm 28:7 – Trusting in God’s Strength
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”
Proverbs 15:1 – Softening Anger with Gentleness
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Psalm 37:5 – Committing Your Ways to the Lord
“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this.”
Matthew 10:28 – Not Fearing Those Who Can Harm the Body
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Ephesians 4:26-27 – Dealing with Anger
“‘In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”
Proverbs 3:7-8 – Fearing the Lord and Turning from Evil
“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”
Philippians 4:13 – Trusting in Christ’s Strength
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Proverbs 16:32 – Controlling Anger
“Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.”
