Family is arguably the most sacred aspect of our lives. Whether blood-related or chosen, our family keeps us strong, connected, and grounded in our faith. Family is a source of unconditional love, reflecting the unwavering love of God. The holy Bible holds so many gems of beauty and truth that remind us of the importance of this love.
This biblical wisdom reflects the universal experience of challenging relationships, loss, death, and complex connections within families. These Bible verses are perfect for parents raising children, navigating sibling dynamics, and helping individuals become a better loved one for others. Read on to feel inspired by these 25 meaningful Bible verses about family.
Note: Verses are quoted from the Revised Standard Version (RSV) of the Bible.
Bible Verses About Family
- “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you.” – Exodus 20:12
Respect and honor your parents, and you will receive the blessing of a long, graced life.
- “And these words which I command you this day shall be upon your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” – Deuteronomy 6:6-7
These verses in Deuteronomy remind us as parents to lead by example. We should put effort towards making ourselves a living reflection of our faith. This is the most effective way to teach our children.
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- “He who troubles his household will inherit wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise.” – Proverbs 11:29
- “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of sons is their fathers.” – Proverbs 17:6
The blessing of grandchildren is like an invaluable crown bestowed upon a grandparent’s head. This relationship is truly special in the eyes of God.
- “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” – Colossians 3:12-14
- “If any one does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his own family, he has disowned the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” – 1 Timothy 5:8
To provide for and take care of your family with immense love is to put your faith into practice.
- “Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
This is one of the most beautiful scriptures about the qualities, power, and purpose of unconditional love.
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- “Lo, sons are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” – Psalm 127:3-5
- “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” – Colossians 3:20
While blind obedience to your parents isn’t the takeaway here, an openhearted relationship with parents is a beautiful expression of Christian faith. Accept them as they are, and practice gratitude for the gifts you’ve received.
- “But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” – Luke 18:16
- “No greater joy can I have than this, to hear that my children follow the truth.” – 3 John 1:4
This is another great scripture about the joys of being a parent, and raising children who are loving believers in God and Christ.
- “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” – Genesis 15:12-13
This Old Testament verse reminds us that God wants us to spread the kind of unconditional love we receive from Him. The ultimate demonstration of love is total commitment to the ones we call family.
- “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” – Ephesians 6:4
A verse about raising your children with a loving, virtuous faith that will fortify them throughout life.
- “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 air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.”” – Genesis 1:28
This is an Old Testament verse that highlights the ancient human legacy of building families and communities across the earth in His image.
- “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.” – Hebrews 10:24-25
- “A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother.” – Proverbs 15:20
Wise, loving children can become wise and loving parents. But people who allow hate towards their parents to fester in their hearts are only harming themselves in the end. Make peace with your parental relationships, even if they are messy and painful.
- “Above all hold unfailing your love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Practice hospitality ungrudgingly to one another. 10 As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” – 1 Peter 4:8-10
- “Lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” – Ephesians 4:1-3
- “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” – Proverbs 17:17
Friendship as strong as siblinghood is a bond that can help you withstand the adversities of the world together.
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- “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.” – Colossians 3:21
- “Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh.” – Genesis 2:24
This is a beautiful verse about the sacredness of marriage. When a man and woman join together in matrimony, their souls unite as one.
- “If any one says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.” – 1 John 4:20
This is an interesting verse about the connection between a love for God and a love for family. Consider this: is it possible to harbor hate in your heart for a family member, while claiming to truly love God? Release your hate, and your faith will grow deeper.
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- “However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” – Ephesians 5:33
- “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6
Scriptures about parenthood help guide us along this ever-challenging vocation. Raise a child with good values and a love for God, and they will carry those lessons with them forever.
- “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named” – Ephesians 3:14-15
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