Lord’s Library editors answer the question “What does the Bible say about abusive relationships?” with specific Bible references.
Have you ever asked yourself the question, “What does the Bible say about abusive relationships?” If you have, you’re definitely not alone! And since the Bible helps Christians form a foundational understanding of important topics, it’s imperative that one know how Scripture describes abusive relationships in different contexts.
The Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines abusive as “Practicing abuse; offering harsh words, or ill treatment.”
Lord’s Library editors thought it would be a helpful exercise to provide Biblical context. As a result, we compiled this short resource, which captures all notable mentions of the word abusive, as well as its other forms. If you’ve been wondering what the King James Bible says about abusive relationships, scroll on for additional detail.
Note: If you want to know what the Bible says about abusive relationships and 206 other important topics (to be exact), our editors recommend Spencer Smith’s Doctrine Matters: Bible Topic Guidebook.
What Does the Bible Say About Abusive Relationships?
Proverbs 22:24-25
“Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.”
Colossians 3:19
“Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.”
Proverbs 15:12
“A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.”
Proverbs 21:9
“It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.“
1 Peter 3:7
“Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.“
Ephesians 5:25
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;”
1 Corinthians 7:3
“Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.“
1 Timothy 3:2
“A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;”
Titus 3:2
“To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.”
Hebrews 13:14
“For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.”
Proverbs 16:25
“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
1 Corinthians 5:11
“But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.”
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