What does the Bible say about Sex before Marriage?

Many Christians are being told not to have sex before marriage. Which is obviously right. But many people don’t even know what that actually means. In fact, when it comes to sex before marriage, the Bible is much clearer and stricter than most people would assume. The Following Article will clarify.

Anyone who had Sex with a person before Marriage is obliged to marry them

The Bible says several times that if you had sex with a person before marriage, you are bound to them for a lifetime.

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. (Genesis 2:24)

And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife. (Exodus 22:16)

If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days. (Deuteronomy 22:28-29)

Sex makes two people one flesh

God only intended sex for two people who should not separate afterwards. By having sex before marriage, one enters into marriage. Because these two people become one flesh, which according to the Bible we should not separate.

And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there. The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

(Matthew 19:2-6)

Having Sex with multiple people is dishonorable

It is also interesting that God commanded priests to marry virginal, undefiled women who have not yet had sex.

And he shall take a wife in her virginity. A widow, or a divorced woman, or profane, or an harlot, these shall he not take: but he shall take a virgin of his own people to wife. Neither shall he profane his seed among his people: for I the Lord do sanctify him. (Leviticus 21:13-15)

This passage alone shows that God calls women who have sex with several men “defiled”. However, this doesn’t mean, that one cannot become respectable. Someone who has had sex with more than one person in his past can still receive forgiveness for his sins, through the New Covenant that was made through Jesus. In fact, it is written that God will never remember the sins of such a person. Of course, this requires not committing them again.

But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. (Jeremiah 31:33-34)

She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. (John 8:11)

Having Sex with more than one person is fornication

The Bible also clearly states that fornication is a sin and should definitely be avoided. Here is one of many examples:

Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. (1 Corinthians 6:18)

But the true definition of fornication does not seem to be known to many people. According to the Bible fornication has already been committed when one had sex with more than one person. This means, if you have sex with a person, then leave them and then at some point later sleep with someone else, you commit adultery. For the Bible says that by having sex before marriage you form the bond of marriage. This fact can be seen in the following Bible passage of Malachi 2, since God calls unfaithfulness after having sex for the first time, divorce!

Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the Lord hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.

And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.

For the Lord, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the Lord of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.

(Malachi 2:14-16)

There is no such thing as Relationships or Dating in the Bible

In the Bible there are no terms such as “relationships”, boyfriends, girlfriends or dating. These are all man-made practices that have nothing to do with the Bible. God never intended anyone to have multiple “partners” in their life. A man and a woman should make an everlasting covenant before God and be faithful to one another.

And he shall take a wife in her virginity. A widow, or a divorced woman, or profane, or an harlot, these shall he not take: but he shall take a virgin of his own people to wife. Neither shall he profane his seed among his people: for I the Lord do sanctify him. (Leviticus 21:13-15)

Conclusion – According to the Bible, there is no Sex before Marriage

The answer to “What does the Bible say about Sex before Marriage” is clear. There is no such thing as sex before marriage according to the Bible. Because sex before marriage is sex after marriage, since the sexual act forms the bond. However, once you have bonded, you shouldn’t break it, let alone form the bond with another person.

And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife. (1 Corinthians 7:10-11)

It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. (Matthew 5:31-32)

If you are curious to learn more about what the Bible says about sexual relations, read this article: https://www.staybiblical.com/what-does-the-bible-say-about-fornication/

If you liked the article “What Does the Bible Say about sex before marriage”, take a look at our Facebook Page.