Marriage has a way of making the words “one another” very practical.

It’s one thing to talk about patience, forgiveness, service, and encouragement. It’s another thing to practice them with the person who shares your house, your schedule, your responsibilities, your stress—and probably knows exactly which button to push when you’re already having a bad day.

The Bible gives us plenty of wisdom for marriage. But some of the most practical guidance isn’t found in passages specifically addressed to husbands and wives. It’s found throughout the New Testament in the commands Christians are given about how we’re supposed to treat one another.

And your spouse is your “one another,” too.

Here are 10 biblical practices that can make a real difference in the way you love each other.

1. Bear with one another: Cut your spouse some slack

“Bear with each other…” — Colossians 3:13

Your spouse is going to annoy you sometimes. You’re going to annoy them, too.

Biblical patience doesn’t mean pretending frustrating things don’t matter. It means learning to make room for another imperfect person while God is still working in both of you.

Before reacting to the small thing today, ask yourself: Does this really need to become a conflict, or can I give some grace here?

2. Forgive one another: Remember you’re not perfect either

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other…” — Ephesians 4:32

Healthy marriages aren’t marriages where nobody gets hurt. They’re marriages where hurt isn’t allowed to become a permanent ledger.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean ignoring serious problems, eliminating healthy boundaries, or pretending something didn’t happen. But it does mean refusing to make your spouse spend the rest of your marriage paying for something you’ve said you’ve forgiven.

Grace changes a marriage because both people need it.

3. Carry one another’s burdens: Ask how you can help

“Carry each other’s burdens…” — Galatians 6:2

Sometimes loving your spouse starts with noticing what they’re carrying.

Stress at work. Parenting. Finances. Family concerns. A packed calendar. Something they’re worried about but haven’t quite found the words for yet.

Instead of assuming you know what they need, try asking:

“What’s feeling heavy right now, and how can I help?”

You may not be able to solve the problem. You can make sure they don’t have to carry it alone.

4. Wash one another’s feet: Serve each other

“You also should wash one another’s feet.” — John 13:14

Jesus demonstrated love through service.

In marriage, that usually doesn’t look dramatic. It looks like making dinner. Taking something off the other person’s plate. Getting up with a child. Filling the gas tank. Cleaning something you didn’t dirty.

Some of the strongest ways to say “I love you” never require saying those words.

Look for one thing you can do today that makes your spouse’s life lighter.

5. Honor one another: Pay attention to your words and your tone

“Honor one another above yourselves.” — Romans 12:10

You can say technically correct words in a deeply dishonoring way.

Tone matters. Timing matters. The way you speak to your spouse when you’re frustrated matters.

Honor doesn’t mean avoiding hard conversations. Strong marriages need honest conversations. It means remembering that the person across from you isn’t your opponent.

You can disagree without belittling. Correct without humiliating. Be frustrated without becoming cruel.

6. Submit to one another: Give up the need to always win

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” — Ephesians 5:21

Marriage gets exhausting when every disagreement needs a winner.

Mutual submission asks a different question than “How do I get my way?” It asks, “What would it look like to put love ahead of my preference here?”

Sometimes you’ll need to stand firm. Sometimes you’ll need to compromise. And sometimes the most loving thing you can surrender is simply your need to prove that you were right.

Because winning the argument while damaging the relationship isn’t much of a win.

7. Build each other up: The world will tear them down enough

“Encourage one another and build each other up…” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Your spouse probably encounters enough criticism, comparison, pressure, and insecurity outside your home.

Home shouldn’t become another source of it.

Notice what’s good in your spouse—and say it.

Tell them when you’re proud of them. Thank them for something you’ve started taking for granted. Name a quality you admire. Let them hear you speak well of them in front of your children and other people.

Don’t assume they already know.

8. Greet one another with a kiss: Choose affection intentionally

“Greet one another with a kiss of love.” — 1 Peter 5:14

Affection can become surprisingly easy to neglect when life gets busy.

You pass each other in the kitchen. Coordinate who’s picking up the kids. Talk about bills. Check tomorrow’s calendar. Fall into bed exhausted. Repeat.

Small moments of intentional affection remind you that you’re more than two people managing a household together.

Kiss goodbye. Hug when you get home. Sit close. Reach for their hand.

Sometimes connection begins with something remarkably small.

9. Encourage one another: Your words matter

“Encourage one another daily…” — Hebrews 3:13

You have enormous influence over the person you married.

That means your words can become a source of courage—or another source of discouragement.

Pay attention to the ratio. If most of what your spouse hears from you is what needs fixing, changing, remembering, or doing differently, encouragement will eventually feel scarce.

Try saying one encouraging thing today with no correction attached to it.

10. Don’t slander one another: Protect your spouse when they’re not in the room

“Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another.” — James 4:11

How you talk about your spouse to other people matters.

There is a difference between seeking wise, trusted help when your marriage is struggling and turning your spouse into the punchline of conversations with friends.

Honor shouldn’t disappear when your spouse leaves the room.

Protecting your marriage sometimes means deciding that certain frustrations belong in a conversation with your spouse, not a conversation about them.

A stronger marriage is often built in small moments

None of these practices requires a perfect marriage.

They require two imperfect people learning to follow Jesus in the way they treat each other.

And that’s what makes these verses so powerful. They’re not simply marriage tips. They’re part of what following Jesus looks like.

Bear with one another. Forgive one another. Carry one another’s burdens. Serve. Honor. Submit. Build up. Show affection. Encourage. Protect.

You probably don’t need to work on all ten today.

Pick one.

Ask yourself: Which of these does my spouse need most from me right now?

Then practice it.

Small acts of Christlike love, repeated over time, can change the culture of a marriage.

Put these 10 reminders somewhere you’ll actually see them.

We created a free 10 “One Another” Verses for Our Marriage magnet to help couples practice these biblical habits in everyday life.

Email us at marketing@newhopechurch.org and we’ll help you get one!