Why do ministers hold a Bible during a wedding?
Question:
I have seen many people married in my lifetime, where the marrying authority has read the vows, always having the Bible in hand and appearing to read the vows from the Bible. Are the vows in the Bible? And why do they do this? What does the Bible say about united in marriage?
Answer:
Having a Bible in hand generally reminds people that the foundation of marriage is God's joining a couple through the witness of their vows. "He answered, "Haven't you read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall join to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh?' So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, don't let man tear apart."" (Matthew 19:4-6).
There is no requirement that a particular set of vows be said, nor are there any particular vows recorded in the Bible.
In regards to what the Bible says about marriages, see the answer "What constitutes a marriage?"
