What does the Bible say about sex before marriage?
The Bible's Teaching on Premarital Sex and Sexual Immorality
The Bible explicitly condemns all forms of sexual immorality, including adultery, fornication, and sex outside of marriage. Adultery refers to consensual sexual activity between a married person and someone other than their spouse, while fornication encompasses all forms of sexual immorality, including premarital sex. Although the Bible does not specifically use the term "premarital sex," it is clearly included under the broader category of sexual immorality, which Scripture consistently condemns.
Biblical Passages on Sexual Immorality
1. Adultery and Fornication
Proverbs 6:32: “Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; he who does so destroys his own soul.”
1 Corinthians 6:18: “Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.”
Hebrews 13:4: “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.”
These passages explicitly warn against adultery and fornication, highlighting the spiritual, emotional, and physical consequences of such sins.
2. Sex Before Marriage as Sexual Immorality
The Bible teaches that sexual relations are to be confined to marriage and that any sexual activity outside of this covenant is immoral.
1 Corinthians 7:2: “Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.”
This verse establishes marriage as the proper context for sexual relations, contrasting it with sexual immorality. Premarital sex falls into the category of immorality that marriage is designed to guard against.Hebrews 13:4: “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.”
The distinction between the sanctity of the marital bed and the condemnation of sexual immorality confirms that sex outside of marriage is sinful.
Broad Condemnation of Sexual Immorality
Because premarital sex is included in the category of sexual immorality, all verses that address immorality apply:
Acts 15:20: “But that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.”
1 Corinthians 6:13: “Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.”
Galatians 5:19: “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness.”
Ephesians 5:3: “But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints.”
1 Thessalonians 4:3: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality.”
Revelation 21:8: “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
God’s Design for Sex
God created sex to be a gift within the covenant of marriage. His design is for sex to be an expression of love, unity, and intimacy between a husband and wife, as well as a means of procreation.
Genesis 2:24: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
Proverbs 5:19: “As a loving deer and a graceful doe, let her breasts satisfy you at all times; and always be enraptured with her love.”
Song of Solomon 4:10-11: “How fair is your love, my sister, my spouse! How much better than wine is your love, and the scent of your perfumes than all spices! Your lips, O my spouse, drip as the honeycomb; honey and milk are under your tongue; and the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon.”
The pleasure of sex is a gift from God, but it is meant to be enjoyed within the boundaries He has established.
Practical and Spiritual Consequences of Premarital Sex
The Bible’s warnings against premarital sex are not arbitrary but are grounded in God’s desire to protect His people:
Defiling God’s Gift
Premarital sex cheapens the sacredness of sex, which God designed as part of the marriage covenant. Without the sacred vows of marriage, sexual intimacy lacks the commitment and union God intended.
Risking Physical and Emotional Harm
Premarital sex contributes to societal issues such as sexually transmitted diseases, unintended pregnancies, and emotional heartbreak.
Dishonoring God
1 Corinthians 10:31: “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Premarital sex fails to glorify God and instead glorifies self-centered desires.
Consequences for Society
Obeying God’s design for sex would reduce abortions, single-parent homes, and children growing up without stable families.
The Call to Abstinence
God calls His people to live in purity and honor Him in their bodies:
1 Corinthians 6:19-20: “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
2 Timothy 2:22: “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
Conclusion
Premarital sex is clearly condemned as part of the broader category of sexual immorality. God’s design is for sex to be enjoyed within the sacred covenant of marriage, where it fulfills its purpose of intimacy and procreation. Obeying God’s commands in this area brings spiritual blessings, protects individuals from harm, and honors Him.
Abstinence before marriage is not merely a rule to follow—it is an act of worship and obedience to God, reflecting trust in His perfect plan. By following His design, we glorify Him and experience His blessings in our lives.
