God offers a great deal of insight into healthy relationships within the pages of Scripture. By studying the Bible, unmarried couples can learn how to treat one another and explore God’s ideas about romantic relationships. Married couples can also glean wisdom about honoring God within the context of marriage.
Today, we’ll explore 20 Bible verses about relationships with girlfriends. Perhaps you’re reading these words because you’re considering asking a special girl to become your girlfriend.
Maybe you’ve been dating your girlfriend for a long time, and you want to discern whether this girl might one day become your wife.
Perhaps you want a healthier, more Christ-centered relationship with your girlfriend, but you’re not sure where to begin.
Let’s take some time to dig into God’s Word and see what God has to say about loving your girlfriend and building a strong relationship.
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What Does God Say About Loving Your Girlfriend
When studying Scripture, the underlying message for relationships is that our relationships will flourish when we learn to put others’ needs above our needs.
In your relationship with your girlfriend, this kind of selfless love includes caring for her physical needs, extending grace when she is struggling, and aiming to be Christlike in all of your interactions.
By learning to treat your girlfriend in these ways, you will strengthen the relationship, and she will desire your leadership within the relationship.
Bible Verses About Relationship with Girlfriend
Loving your girlfriend also includes protecting her emotions and her purity. It includes pointing her to Christ and helping her grow closer to God as a result of your relationship.
These are high callings, and they will require you to set aside your desires and seek God daily. However, when you learn to love your girlfriend with the love of Christ, God will work in powerful ways in both of your hearts.
Let’s look at 20 Bible verses about relationships with girlfriends.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5, ESV
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-5, ESV
One of the best gifts you can offer to your girlfriend is the gift of not insisting on your own way. By following the words of 1 Corinthians 13:4-5, many obstacles within relationships can be immediately eliminated.
Care for your girlfriend by being patient and kind. Don’t be envious or boastful and refuse to compete with her. Resist arrogance, rudeness, irritability, and resentment. Practice these disciplines, and you will be on your way to a healthy relationship.
1 Corinthians 13:6-7
“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:6-7 ESV
Care for your girlfriend by bearing with her on the hard days. Your relationship will not always be full of fun and whimsy. If you stay together long enough, you will endure illnesses, suffering, grief, and the daily grind of life.
Remember to bear with her through the hard times, remain hopeful, and stick with her on even the most challenging days.
1 Peter 4:8
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8
Every person on the earth is sinful (see Romans 3:23). At times sin will come between you and your girlfriend. When this happens, commit to loving her.
Learn to wave a playful hand and let go of the little annoyances and quirks.
1 Corinthians 6:18
“Feel from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18
God designed us to experience attraction toward one another; however, when we engage in sexual behavior outside of marriage, we create a bond that is intended only within the lifelong covenant of marriage.
Honor your girlfriend by protecting her purity. Set physical boundaries early in your relationship, and don’t cross those boundaries under any circumstances. Save sexual intimacy for marriage, and you will be honoring God and honoring the woman you love.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Your girlfriend needs you to encourage her and build her up. Pay attention to her strengths and help her step into her God-given calling in life. God calls us to help one another bring his kingdom to earth, and you and your girlfriend can be a powerful team as you minister to the world together.
Ecclesiastes 4:12
“And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12
This verse reminds us that we have a small amount of strength alone. Our strength grows in partnership with others. However, when we invite Jesus into our relationships, the three-strand cord that is united by Christ is hard to break.
Above all else, keep Jesus at the center of your relationship with your girlfriend.
Proverbs 27:17
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17
Within healthy relationships, both parties sharpen one another. Does your relationship with your girlfriend challenge you to be a better person and live a godlier life?
Do you challenge your girlfriend to live with excellence and godly character? Or are you pulling each other down? If you are pulling each other down, this might not be a relationship to continue.
Matthew 7:12
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12
The Golden Rule applies to our romantic relationships as well as our friendships. Treat your girlfriend the way you want to be treated. Honor her and care for her as you honor and care for yourself.
John 15:13
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
Jesus demonstrated what love looks like by laying down his life for his friends. He laid down his life for us all when he died on the cross; however, he also lived a life of servant leadership.
Love your girlfriend by being a servant leader. Don’t think any task is too small or menial and be willing to serve her in the humblest ways. Just as Jesus took on the role of servant and washed his disciples’ feet, serve your girlfriend with a humble heart.
2 Corinthians 6:14
“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” 2 Corinthians 6:14
Have you ever heard of “missionary dating”? Missionary dating is what happens when a Christian pursues romantic relationships with those who are not believers. The intention is usually to lead these romantic partners into a relationship with Jesus.
Leading others to Jesus is a noteworthy calling; however, we are not called to bind ourselves in partnership with those who aren’t believers. This means we should avoid missionary dating. Learn where a potential girlfriend stands with the Lord before you commit to a serious relationship with her.
Proverbs 13:20
“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Proverbs 13:20
This Proverb teaches us why missionary dating is unwise. Instead of leading your unbelieving girlfriend to Christ, she will most likely pull you away from Christ.
Additionally, a long-term partnership with someone who does not live by the same core values as you will eventually lead to trouble and division.
Ecclesiastes 4:9
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.” Ecclesiastes 4:9
Two people working together can accomplish far more than a single person working alone. Enjoying the rewards of our labor with others is also a wonderful gift. Become partners for the Lord’s work with your girlfriend, and you will be surprised by how rewarding this kind of partnership can be.
John 13:34
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” John 13:34
Jesus calls us to love one another as he has loved us. This is a high calling. Jesus suffered and died so that we might have eternal life.
Jesus is calling you to care for your girlfriend with this same kind of self-sacrificing love. Put her needs above your needs, and you will be loving her with the love of Christ.
Ephesians 4:2
“With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2
Your girlfriend needs you to approach her with humility and gentleness. Do everything you can to avoid being harsh with her. Instead, be patient and kind, always exuding love and care.
This probably isn’t the way you treat your buddies, but never forget that no matter how tough your girlfriend seems to be, she’s not one of the guys. She needs to be treated with extra care, tenderness, and gentleness.
1 Corinthians 15:33
“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’” 1 Corinthians 15:33
Has your relationship with your girlfriend led you to compromise your morals in any way? Do you catch yourself cursing more often, wrestling with sexual sin more regularly, or engaging in any ungodly behaviors as a result of your relationship?
If so, this might not be a healthy relationship for you.
Romans 12:1
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Romans 12:1
Presenting your body as a living sacrifice within the context of a romantic relationship might look like sacrificing time, energy, and money to put your girlfriend’s needs above your desires.
It might include investing emotional energy to listen to her talk about a difficult problem or giving up your weekend to help her with a big project.
Are you willing to offer your body as a living sacrifice on her behalf?
Romans 12:2
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
Your relationship with your girlfriend should help you rise above worldly standards and live according to God’s standards. If you are questioning your relationship, draw near to God and ask him to help you discern what it will look like to follow him.
Hebrews 13:4
“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” Hebrews 13:4
Sexual temptation is difficult to overcome; however, God wants to help us. Part of protecting your physical boundaries might include avoiding certain places like dark cars, dark bedrooms, and empty houses.
By protecting your girlfriend’s sexual purity, you are also protecting her heart. Until she becomes your wife, don’t cross the physical boundaries you have agreed upon. The natural consequences of sexual sin are always destructive for everyone involved.
James 1:19-20
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20
One of the greatest gifts you can give your girlfriend is the gift of being slow to become angry. If you have a quick temper, ask God to help you reign it in.
Also, learn to listen well. Put down your phone, turn off the TV, and give your girlfriend the gift of your undivided attention. Engage with her and listen to what she shares with you. You are building strong communication skills that can bless you for years to come.
Matthew 5:27-28
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:27-28
Lastly, honor your girlfriend by refusing to look at another woman lustfully. This includes looking at other women when your girlfriend isn’t around, and it includes what you look at online.
According to Jesus’ words, a man who looks at another woman with lustful thoughts has committed adultery with her in his heart. If you struggle with lustful thoughts, reach out to an older male friend you trust, find an accountability partner, look for a support group, or talk to your pastor.
Most men struggle with lustful thoughts, but God is inviting you to walk in freedom!
If studying the Bible better is on your list of things to do this year, be sure to visit our Bible Study Resources page where you’ll find everything you need to make Bible study a regular part of your daily routine.
Above all else, remember that God is not calling you to be the perfect boyfriend. You will not always be Christlike. Be willing to ask for forgiveness and begin again.
Learn to say, “Thank you,” and “I’m sorry.” All relationships need this kind of humility. Even if your girlfriend isn’t good and speaking these words, set an example for her.
God wants to bless you with a healthy relationship. Take a moment to talk to him about your relationship with your girlfriend. Pour out your heart, and then take a moment to listen quietly.
What does he want you to know? Will you follow wherever he is leading?
