Living together before marriage is a topic many Christians have questions about. What does the Bible say? Let’s look at various verses to see God’s design for relationships and marriage. Understanding His wisdom can guide us in making choices that honor Him and strengthen our faith journey.
Bible Verses About Living Together Before Marriage
Hebrews 13:4 – Honoring the marriage bed is essential in Christian life
“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” – Hebrews 13:4
1 Corinthians 6:18 – Fleeing sexual immorality protects our relationship
“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.” – 1 Corinthians 6:18
1 Thessalonians 4:3 – God calls us to live a life of purity
“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:3
Galatians 5:19 – The acts of the flesh are contrary to God’s desires
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery.” – Galatians 5:19
Genesis 2:24 – A man shall unite with his wife, establishing a sacred bond
“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.” – Genesis 2:24
Exodus 20:14 – Adultery is a clear commandment to uphold
“You shall not commit adultery.” – Exodus 20:14
1 Corinthians 7:2 – Marriage provides a framework for intimacy
“But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.” – 1 Corinthians 7:2
Colossians 3:5 – Putting to death earthly desires guides our actions
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” – Colossians 3:5
Ephesians 5:3 – Among believers, immorality should not be named
“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.” – Ephesians 5:3
Matthew 19:6 – What God joined together, let no one separate
“So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” – Matthew 19:6
Proverbs 6:32 – Adultery leads to self-destruction
“But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself.” – Proverbs 6:32
James 1:14 – Temptation often comes from our own desires
“But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.” – James 1:14
1 Peter 2:11 – Our spiritual journey involves resisting fleshly desires
“Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.” – 1 Peter 2:11
Romans 13:13 – Conducting ourselves honorably reflects our faith
“Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.” – Romans 13:13
Proverbs 5:18-19 – Delight in your spouse is God’s design for intimacy
“May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth… may her breasts satisfy you always; may you ever be intoxicated with her love.” – Proverbs 5:18-19
Matthew 5:28 – Lustful thoughts equate to sinful behavior
“But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” – Matthew 5:28
1 John 2:16 – The desires of the flesh lead us astray
“For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.” – 1 John 2:16
Proverbs 7:21-23 – The allure of temptation leads to downfall
“With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter…” – Proverbs 7:21-23
Matthew 6:33 – Prioritizing God leads to fulfillment
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33
Psalm 119:9 – Living according to God’s Word helps us stay pure
“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.” – Psalm 119:9
2 Timothy 2:22 – Fleeing youthful passions aids spiritual growth
“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” – 2 Timothy 2:22
1 John 1:9 – Confession brings forgiveness and purification
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9
Romans 12:1-2 – Presenting ourselves as living sacrifices demands holiness
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” – Romans 12:1-2
Ephesians 5:5 – Immorality excludes us from the kingdom of God
“For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” – Ephesians 5:5
Proverbs 4:23 – Guarding our heart is vital in resisting temptation
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” – Proverbs 4:23
Philippians 4:8 – Focusing on what is true helps maintain purity
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” – Philippians 4:8
Mark 10:9 – Emphasizing the sanctity of marriage
“Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” – Mark 10:9
2 Corinthians 6:14 – Partnerships should reflect shared faith
“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” – 2 Corinthians 6:14
1 Corinthians 10:13 – God provides a way out of temptation
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13
Proverbs 31:30 – A woman’s spirit of reverence is more valuable than beauty
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” – Proverbs 31:30
Romans 6:12 – Sin must not reign in our bodies
“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.” – Romans 6:12
Also Read: 25 Bible Verses About Leaving Home
What Does the Bible Say About Living Together Before Marriage?
The Bible provides a framework for understanding relationships, including the sanctity of marriage and the importance of sexual purity. When we turn to Scripture, we find several principles that help us understand what it says about living together before marriage.
Firstly, the Bible upholds the institution of marriage as a sacred covenant. In Genesis 2:24, it states, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” This verse highlights the significance of a formal, committed union before cohabitation.
We also see multiple verses emphasizing sexual purity. For instance, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 instructs us to abstain from sexual immorality and to control our bodies in holiness and honor. Living together before marriage often leads to sexual relations, which contradicts these biblical teachings.
Additionally, Hebrews 13:4 reminds us to honor marriage and keep the marriage bed pure. This encouragement to maintain purity is difficult to uphold when a couple lives together without the covenant of marriage.
Lastly, the concept of living together before marriage can also affect our witness to others. Romans 14:13-21 speaks to the stumbling blocks we might put in front of our fellow believers. Cohabitation outside of marriage can lead others to question the integrity and holiness that we are called to uphold.
In light of these biblical principles, we can see that living together before marriage does not align with the teachings of Scripture. The Bible calls us to pursue holiness, honor marriage, and maintain sexual purity, all of which are vital components of our faith and Christian witness.