Sex is a sacred gift from God, designed for intimacy, unity, and procreation within the context of marriage. Let’s explore the verses that celebrate the beauty and sanctity of sex as a reflection of God’s love and the union between husband and wife, honoring His design for human sexuality with purity, reverence, and joy.
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Bible Verses About Sex
Genesis 2:24
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
This verse establishes the divine intention for sexual intimacy to be within the context of a committed marriage relationship. It emphasizes the importance of leaving one’s family and cleaving to one’s spouse, and the result of this union is the formation of a deep and intimate bond.
Hebrews 13:4
“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”
This verse calls for a high regard for the institution of marriage and emphasizes the need to keep the marriage bed pure and undefiled. It serves as a reminder that sexual immorality and adultery are serious sins in God’s eyes, and He will judge those who engage in such behaviors.
1 Corinthians 6:18
“Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.”
Paul urges believers to actively flee from sexual immorality. He highlights that sexual sin is unique in that it directly affects one’s own body. This verse emphasizes the importance of maintaining moral purity, recognizing that sexual immorality not only goes against God’s design but also has personal consequences.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.”
This passage highlights God’s will for believers to live in sanctification, which includes abstaining from sexual immorality. It emphasizes the need to have self-control and to treat our bodies with holiness and honor, distinguishing ourselves from those who do not know God and are driven solely by lustful desires.
Proverbs 5:18-19
“Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.”
This verse celebrates the blessings of marital intimacy and the joy that comes from delighting in one’s spouse. It emphasizes the importance of cherishing and finding satisfaction in the physical and emotional intimacy shared within the marriage relationship.
1 Corinthians 7:3-4
“The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.”
This passage highlights the mutual responsibility and equality within marriage when it comes to fulfilling each other’s sexual needs. It emphasizes that neither the husband nor the wife has exclusive ownership over their bodies, but they both have a shared responsibility and authority to meet each other’s needs.
Song of Solomon 4:9-10
“You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride; you have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace. How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much better is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your oils than any spice!”
This passage from the Song of Solomon beautifully depicts the romantic and passionate love between a husband and wife. It celebrates the beauty and intimacy shared within the marriage relationship, highlighting that the love between spouses surpasses the excitement and allure of any worldly pleasure.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
Here, Paul reminds the Corinthians that those who continue to engage in sexual immorality will not inherit the kingdom of God. This verse reveals that sexual sin, along with other unrighteous behaviors, separates individuals from God’s salvation. However, Paul also offers hope, as he points out that through faith in Christ, believers can be washed, sanctified, and justified from their former sinful ways.
Matthew 5:27-28
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Jesus teaches that committing adultery extends beyond the physical act itself. He emphasizes that lusting after someone in one’s heart is morally equivalent to adultery. This verse highlights the importance of purity of thought and the need to guard one’s heart, as our inner desires and intentions matter to God.
Ephesians 5:3
“But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.”
Paul instructs the Ephesian believers to refrain from any form of sexual immorality, impurity, or covetousness. He highlights that these behaviors should not even be named among God’s people, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a standard of holiness in our actions and desires.
Colossians 3:5-6
“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these, the wrath of God is coming.”
Paul calls on the Colossian believers to put to death any earthly desires and behaviors, specifically mentioning sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness. He warns that the wrath of God is directed towards those who practice such sins, underscoring the seriousness of sexual immorality and its potential consequences.
1 Corinthians 6:13
“‘Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food’—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.”
Paul emphasizes that our bodies are not meant for engaging in sexual immorality but are intended to honor the Lord. He parallels the physical need for food and the need for sexual fulfillment, reminding believers that just as our bodies are destined for destruction, engaging in sexual immorality goes against God’s purpose for our bodies.
Galatians 5:19-21
“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Paul lists sexual immorality as one of the works of the flesh that is contrary to the Holy Spirit’s work in believers’ lives. He warns the Galatians that those who continuously engage in such behaviors will not inherit the kingdom of God. This passage highlights the need for believers to live according to the Spirit, rejecting the desires of the flesh.
Romans 13:13-14
“Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”
Paul encourages believers to live in a manner that reflects their faith in Christ. This means abstaining from indulging in sins such as sexual immorality, sensuality, quarreling, and jealousy. Instead, believers are to put on the character and teachings of Christ and consciously avoid making allowances for sinful desires.
Proverbs 6:32-33
“He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself. He will get wounds and dishonor, and his disgrace will not be wiped away.”
This proverb emphasizes the consequences of adultery and highlights the destructive nature of such actions. It warns that those who engage in adultery will face wounds, dishonor, and lasting disgrace. This verse serves as a stark reminder of the importance of faithfulness and commitment within marriage.
Mark 10:6-9
“But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”
Jesus references the creation account to reinforce the divine intention for marriage. He affirms that marriage involves a deep and unbreakable union between a man and a woman, emphasizing the permanence and sacredness of the marital bond. This verse highlights the importance of honoring the covenant of marriage and not seeking to dissolve what God has joined together.
1 Corinthians 10:8
“We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day.”
Paul is referring to the Israelites’ rebellion and sexual immorality during their time in the wilderness. He uses their example to caution the Corinthian believers against indulging in sexual immorality, reminding them of the severe consequences it can bring. This verse serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of remaining faithful to God’s commands and avoiding the pitfalls of sexual sin.
Matthew 19:9
“And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”
Jesus addresses the topic of divorce, making it clear that the only valid reason for divorce is marital unfaithfulness (sexual immorality). He teaches that remarriage after divorce, apart from this specific circumstance, is tantamount to adultery. This verse reiterates the importance Jesus places on the lifetime commitment of marriage and the seriousness of breaking that covenant.
1 Corinthians 7:2
“But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.”
Paul acknowledges the temptation to sexual immorality and provides guidance for believers to avoid falling into sin. He suggests that each man should have his own wife, and likewise, each woman should have her own husband. This verse speaks to the need for monogamy and the importance of fulfilling one’s sexual needs in the context of a committed marital relationship.
1 Corinthians 7:9
“But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”
Paul addresses those who struggle with self-control when it comes to sexual desires. He advises that if they are unable to control themselves, it is better for them to marry than to constantly battle with unfulfilled passions. This verse recognizes the innate sexual nature of humans and offers marriage as a way to channel and satisfy those desires in a God-honoring manner.
Proverbs 5:15-17
“Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well. Should your springs be scattered abroad, streams of water in the streets? Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with you.”
This proverb instructs against seeking sexual gratification outside of the marriage relationship. It encourages spouses to find their satisfaction in each other and not to seek pleasure in the arms of others. This verse underscores the importance of faithfulness and fidelity within marriage.
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law.”
This passage lists the qualities that should be evident in the lives of those who are led by the Holy Spirit. Self-control is specifically mentioned as a fruit of the Spirit. This verse highlights that through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we are able to exercise self-control, including in the area of our sexual desires.
1 Peter 2:11
“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.”
Peter encourages believers to abstain from the desires and passions of the flesh that can wage war against our inner beings. This includes sexual immorality, which has the potential to harm our spiritual well-being. This verse reminds us of the need to guard ourselves against the temptations of the flesh and to pursue holiness in all areas of our lives.
The topic of sex is addressed in the Bible from various angles. The verses provided touch on subjects such as the importance of sexual purity within marriage, the consequences of sexual immorality, the divine design for sexual intimacy, the importance of self-control, and the permanence of the marital covenant. They stress the need for believers to honor the sanctity of marriage, to abstain from sexual immorality, and to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit, including self-control. These verses emphasize the importance of aligning our sexual behavior with God’s holy standards and recognizing the significant impact that our choices in this area can have on our spiritual and emotional well-being.