If you search the Bible for the phrase “age differences in relationships,” you won’t find a single mention. Surprisingly, age itself is rarely highlighted in Scripture—especially when it comes to married couples. The Bible simply doesn’t focus on or reveal the age gaps between partners.
The one notable exception is Abraham and Sarah. When God promised Abraham he would father a great nation, Abraham’s reaction was both honest and telling: “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?” (Genesis 17:17). This glimpse shows us they were about ten years apart—a modest difference, but the only biblical age gap we truly know.
What about other couples? Take Boaz and Ruth—many assume Boaz was much older than Ruth, largely because Boaz commends Ruth for not pursuing younger men (Ruth 3:10). This suggests she chose to follow tradition and place herself under the protection of a more mature man. Jewish tradition even speculates Boaz was 80 and Ruth 40, but the Bible never confirms this. Similarly, some believe Joseph was older than Mary, but again, the Scriptures are silent on their ages.
The truth is, the Bible’s silence speaks volumes: age differences are not a spiritual or moral issue to God. While age might matter in practical terms, it pales in comparison to far more important concerns like shared faith, spiritual maturity, and compatibility. As people grow older, age differences tend to become less significant. An 82-year-old marrying a 60-year-old barely raises eyebrows, though a 40-year-old marrying an 18-year-old might prompt questions.
What does matter is that the person you marry is of the opposite gender (Genesis 2:21–25) and a believer in Christ (2 Corinthians 6:14). Marriages should be founded on genuine reasons, not on lust or greed. Beyond these principles, the Bible allows us freedom in choosing a partner. When there’s a big age gap, it’s wise to seek God’s guidance (James 1:5), but age itself is not a spiritual red flag.
In the end, what truly matters is the heart and faith shared between two people, not the numbers on their birth certificates.
