What Does the Bible Say About Men Who Have Lost Their Wives?

1 Peter 3:7 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Colossians 3:19 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.

Genesis 2:24 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Ephesians 5:31 ESV / 6 helpful votes

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”

John 3:1-36 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ...

Ephesians 5:25 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

1 Corinthians 7:1-40 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. ...

1 Peter 3:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,

1 Peter 3:1-6 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, ...

Hebrews 13:4 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.

1 Timothy 5:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes

So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander.

1 Timothy 5:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Ephesians 5:33 ESV / 4 helpful votes

However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Ephesians 5:28 ESV / 4 helpful votes

In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

Ephesians 5:22 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

1 Corinthians 13:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

1 Corinthians 2:1-16 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. ...

Ruth 1:1-22 ESV / 4 helpful votes

In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years, and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband. ...

1 John 2:1-29 ESV / 3 helpful votes

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: ...

Ephesians 5:1-33 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. ...

Matthew 5:32 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Genesis 3:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.”

Genesis 1:28 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

1 Peter 3:1-22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, ...

Colossians 1:1-29 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, ...

Ephesians 5:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Ephesians 5:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Galatians 3:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 11:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.

1 Corinthians 11:1-34 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. ...

Isaiah 53:1-12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. ...

Proverbs 10:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.

2 Kings 1:1-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel. Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria, and lay sick; so he sent messengers, telling them, “Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this sickness.” But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Now therefore thus says the Lord, You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’” So Elijah went. The messengers returned to the king, and he said to them, “Why have you returned?” ...

2 Samuel 1:1-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

After the death of Saul, when David had returned from striking down the Amalekites, David remained two days in Ziklag. And on the third day, behold, a man came from Saul's camp, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. And when he came to David, he fell to the ground and paid homage. David said to him, “Where do you come from?” And he said to him, “I have escaped from the camp of Israel.” And David said to him, “How did it go? Tell me.” And he answered, “The people fled from the battle, and also many of the people have fallen and are dead, and Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead.” Then David said to the young man who told him, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?” ...

1 Samuel 16:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Genesis 6:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you.

37 Bible Verses about Men Who Have Lost Their Wives

1 Peter 3:7 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Colossians 3:19 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Genesis 2:24 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Ephesians 5:31 ESV / 6 helpful votes

John 3:1-36 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Ephesians 5:25 ESV / 5 helpful votes

1 Corinthians 7:1-40 ESV / 5 helpful votes

1 Peter 3:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 Peter 3:1-6 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Hebrews 13:4 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 Timothy 5:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 Timothy 5:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Ephesians 5:33 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Ephesians 5:28 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Ephesians 5:22 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 Corinthians 13:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 Corinthians 2:1-16 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Ruth 1:1-22 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 John 2:1-29 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Ephesians 5:1-33 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Matthew 5:32 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Genesis 3:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Genesis 1:28 ESV / 3 helpful votes

1 Peter 3:1-22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Colossians 1:1-29 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Ephesians 5:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Ephesians 5:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Galatians 3:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 Corinthians 11:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 Corinthians 11:1-34 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Isaiah 53:1-12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Proverbs 10:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

2 Kings 1:1-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

2 Samuel 1:1-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 Samuel 16:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Genesis 6:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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37 Bible Verses about Men Who Have Lost Their Wives

1 Peter 3:7 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:19 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 2:24 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:31 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:1-36 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:25 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 7:1-40 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 3:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 3:1-6 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 13:4 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 5:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 5:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:33 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:28 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:22 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 13:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 2:1-16 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ruth 1:1-22 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 2:1-29 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:1-33 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:32 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 3:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 1:28 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 3:1-22 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 1:1-29 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 3:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 11:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 11:1-34 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 53:1-12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 10:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Kings 1:1-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Samuel 1:1-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Samuel 16:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 6:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Suggest a Verse

Enter a Verse Reference (e.g., John 3:16-17)

1 Peter 3:7 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Colossians 3:19 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Genesis 2:24 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Ephesians 5:31 ESV / 6 helpful votes

John 3:1-36 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Ephesians 5:25 ESV / 5 helpful votes

1 Corinthians 7:1-40 ESV / 5 helpful votes

1 Peter 3:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 Peter 3:1-6 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Hebrews 13:4 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 Timothy 5:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 Timothy 5:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Ephesians 5:33 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Ephesians 5:28 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Ephesians 5:22 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 Corinthians 13:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 Corinthians 2:1-16 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Ruth 1:1-22 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 John 2:1-29 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Ephesians 5:1-33 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Matthew 5:32 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Genesis 3:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Genesis 1:28 ESV / 3 helpful votes

1 Peter 3:1-22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Colossians 1:1-29 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Ephesians 5:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Ephesians 5:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Galatians 3:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 Corinthians 11:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 Corinthians 11:1-34 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Isaiah 53:1-12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Proverbs 10:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

2 Kings 1:1-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

2 Samuel 1:1-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 Samuel 16:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Genesis 6:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes