Christian Wedding Vows (That Aren’t Oppressive) *sighs*
It took me more than a minute to write this article, namely because the research was a headache. Go to Google right now and type in ‘Christian wedding vows’ … all you’ll get is a list of articles telling brides to obey their husbands.
THANK GOD, I studied the coveted yet often misunderstood Book of Ephesians for myself. For all the ladies who understand that submitting to your husband DOES NOT give him power or control over you, please keep reading. To the confused, please see my articles on The Submissive Wife and The Marital Covenant.
It is vitally important that you, as a Christian (whether a bride or a groom), understand what a marital covenant is and what it means to submit to one another before you write your wedding vows. Why? Because vows are sacred oaths that should last forever. Breaking them is no different from sinning—which is why they are so important.
Do not make a vow that you cannot keep.
If you don’t know what the Bible really means when it says submit to one another, then you may want to read my previous articles before writing your vows. There has been a lot of misinterpretation surrounding the roles in a marriage, these articles are meant to provide insight which may clear confusion for some.
There aren’t any vows actually written out in the Bible for you to copy and paste into your wedding program, haha. Most Believers use a combination of scriptures and intimate reflections when writing their vows, so the list I have below is merely a suggestion based on Biblical passages and personal sentiments. Feel free to use them as inspiration when writing your own or use them as they are. It’s your wedding, so it’s totally up to you!
I Corinthians 13:4-8 says, Love is patient and kind. I can’t promise to always be kind and patient (haha) but I can vow to view love the way the Bible views it. Love is more than a feeling; it is an action. 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.
As much as humanly possible, I vow that I will act in love. That I won’t delight in evil, I will rejoice with the truth—the truth that is the love we share. A love which protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. I vow that I will fight for our love at every chance. I will do all I can to make sure our love never fails.
Ecclesiastes 4:9…
Two are better than one. I don’t think there’s much more that needs to be said, haha. Together, we can help each other up if one of us falls. If we lie down together, we will keep warm. We will not be easily overpowered. We will be able to defend ourselves.
I vow to always have your back. To stand by your side. To be your number two—as long as you promise to be mine.
Song of Songs 8:6
Love is as strong as death… To me, that means it is final. Irreversible. Love burns like a blazing fire—a mighty flame. Between us, our flame of love will never be extinguished. I vow to keep that flame burning, to make our love irreversible. Permanent. Everlasting. I’m not going to offer silver or gold, because that will fade away. The most precious gift I can give is my heart; I vow it will always be yours.
John 15:12
Love each other as I have loved you. Jesus loved us enough to die for us. Dying for someone else doesn’t sound fun at all… But I would give every last breath in my body for you. And I’d do it with a smile. It isn’t a challenge to love you as Jesus loves me. Because His love is kind and pure and patient—everything you have been to me. Everything I vow to be to you.
Song of Songs 6:3
I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine. I think you already know that I am yours and you are mine, but I want to make it permanent. What God has put together, let no one separate [Mark 10:9]. You’re stuck with me. I vow to strive to be like my Father in all things, to never leave you nor forsake you. To love you unconditionally, just as He does. To forgive you endlessly just as He does. To fall for you every day, over and over again.
Isn’t the Bible romantic? These are just five vows based on corresponding scriptures. You are free to build on them or completely make up your own! I hope you were inspired and found some new and beautiful ways to incorporate your faith in your special day. Remember, a relationship built on the love of God is a relationship that will never fail.
God bless.
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