Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and OriginSex, as described in the Bible, is a divinely instituted act intended for procreation, unity, and pleasure within the bounds of marriage. The origin of sex is rooted in the creation narrative, where God created male and female and blessed their union.
Genesis 1:27-28 states, "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it.'"
Purpose of SexThe primary purposes of sex, according to Scripture, are procreation, the expression of love and unity between husband and wife, and the enjoyment of physical intimacy. In
Genesis 2:24 , it is written, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." This "one flesh" union signifies the deep, intimate bond that sex fosters within marriage.
Sexual MoralityThe Bible provides clear guidelines regarding sexual morality, emphasizing that sexual relations are to be confined within the marriage covenant.
Hebrews 13:4 declares, "Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers." Sexual immorality, which includes adultery, fornication, and other forms of illicit sexual behavior, is consistently condemned throughout Scripture.
Adultery and FornicationAdultery, defined as sexual relations between a married person and someone who is not their spouse, is explicitly prohibited in the Ten Commandments: "You shall not commit adultery" (
Exodus 20:14). Fornication, or sexual relations outside of marriage, is also condemned.
1 Corinthians 6:18 advises, "Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a man can commit is outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body."
Sexual PurityBelievers are called to maintain sexual purity, which involves abstaining from sexual immorality and honoring God with their bodies.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 instructs, "For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God."
Marriage as the Proper Context for SexThe Bible consistently upholds marriage as the proper context for sexual relations. In
1 Corinthians 7:2 , Paul writes, "But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband." This underscores the importance of marriage as the exclusive setting for sexual intimacy.
Consequences of Sexual SinThe Bible warns of both spiritual and physical consequences for engaging in sexual sin.
Proverbs 6:32 states, "He who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself." Sexual sin is seen as a violation of God's design and can lead to personal and relational harm.
Redemption and ForgivenessDespite the seriousness of sexual sin, the Bible offers redemption and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. 1
John 1:9 assures believers, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This promise of forgiveness extends to all who repent and seek to align their lives with God's standards.
ConclusionThe biblical perspective on sex is one of reverence and sanctity, emphasizing its role within the marriage covenant and its significance in God's design for human relationships. Through adherence to biblical principles, believers are encouraged to honor God with their bodies and maintain purity in their sexual conduct.
Topical Bible Verses
Genesis 2:24Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall join to his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Topicalbible.orgHebrews 13:4
Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
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1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man does is without the body; but he that commits fornication sins against his own body.
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1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you should abstain from fornication:
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1 Corinthians 6:13
Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The distinguishing peculiarity of male or female in both animals and plants; the physical difference between male and female; the assemblage of properties or qualities by which male is distinguished from female.
2. (n.) One of the two divisions of organic beings formed on the distinction of male and female.
3. (n.) The capability in plants of fertilizing or of being fertilized; as, staminate and pistillate flowers are of opposite sexes.
4. (n.) One of the groups founded on this distinction.
Greek
5043. teknon -- a child (of eithersex)... a child (of either
sex). Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: teknon Phonetic
Spelling: (tek'-non) Short Definition: a child, descendent, inhabitant
...1060. gameo -- to marry
... to marry. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: gameo Phonetic Spelling:
(gam-eh'-o) Short Definition: I marry Definition: I marry, used of eithersex....
3813. paidion -- a young child
... Neuter diminutive of pais; a childling (of eithersex), ie (properly), an infant,
or (by extension) a half-grown boy or girl; figuratively, an immature...
4203. porneuo -- to commit fornication
... From porne; to act the harlot, ie (literally) indulge unlawful lust (of eithersex),
or (figuratively) practise idolatry -- commit (fornication)....
Strong's Hebrew
5288. naar -- a boy, lad, youth, retainer... Of
sex), a girl (of similar latitude in age) -- babe, boy, child, damsel (from the
margin), lad, servant, young (man). see HEBREW na'ar. 5287, 5288.
...2145. zakar -- male
... him, male, manchild,. From zakar; properly, remembered, ie A male (of man or animals,
as being the most noteworthysex) -- X him, male, man(child, -kind)....
Library
Whether the FemaleSex is an Impediment to Receiving Orders?
... OF THE IMPEDIMENTS TO THIS SACRAMENT (SIX ARTICLES) Whether the femalesex is
an impediment to receiving Orders?... Butsex is not in the soul....
Thus Far ofSex. ...
... Book III. 12 Thus far ofsex.? Thus far ofsex. Now let us come to the
appearance and shapes by which you believe that the gods...
Sex Education for Boys and the Sunday School
... XVSEX EDUCATION FOR BOYS AND THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. There can be no adequate comprehension
of the physical side of boyhood if thesex element be left out....
The Details of Our BodilySex, and of the Functions of Our Various...
... Chapter LXI."The Details of Our BodilySex, and of the Functions of Our Various
Members Apology for the Necessity Which Heresy Imposes of Hunting Up All Its...
Whether all Will Rise Again of the MaleSex?
... OF THE QUALITY OF THOSE WHO RISE AGAIN (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether all will rise again
of the malesex?... Therefore there will be none but the malesex....
That God is Without a Body, nor Does He Need Difference ofSex for...
... the divine institutes book i. of the false worship of the gods. Chap. viii."that
god is without a body, nor does he need difference ofsex for procreation....
Whether the Bodies of Women Shall Retain their OwnSex in the...
... Book XXII. Chapter 17."Whether the Bodies of Women Shall Retain Their OwnSex in
the Resurrection.... And thesex of woman is not a vice, but nature....
by what Argument it is Proved that those who are Distinguished by...
... gods. Chap. xvi." by what argument it is proved that those who are
distinguished by a difference ofsex cannot be gods. I might...
Inconsistency of Giving the Soul all the Parts ofSex and yet no...
... Book IV. Chapter 32."Inconsistency of Giving the Soul All the Parts of
Sex and Yet NoSex. For that form of the soul, whether...
Since God is Eternal and Immortal, He Does not Stand in Need of...
... Addressed to His Brother Pentadius. Chap. VI."Since God is Eternal and
Immortal, He Does Not Stand in Need ofSex and Succession....
Thesaurus
Sex (51 Occurrences)... distinction. Multi-Version Concordance
Sex (51 Occurrences). Matthew
... night? Bring
them out to us, that we may have
sex with them." (WEB NIV). Exodus
...Sexual (59 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Of or pertaining tosex, or the sexes... Exodus 22:19
Any man who hassex connection with a beast is to be put to death. (See NIV)....
Male (303 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) of or pertaining to thesex that begets or procreates young, or (in a wider
sense) to thesex that produces spermatozoa, by which the ova are fertilized...
Relations (92 Occurrences)
... night? Bring them out to us, that we may havesex with them." (See NAS).
Genesis 19:8 See now, I have two virgin daughters. Please...
Connection (72 Occurrences)
... her to be his wife. (BBE). Exodus 22:19 Any man who hassex connection with
a beast is to be put to death. (BBE). Leviticus 5:15 If...
Gender (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Kind; sort. 2. (n.)Sex, male or female.
3. (n.) A classification of nouns, primarily according...
Purposes (67 Occurrences)
... 18 Do not take into the house of the Lord your God, as an offering for an oath,
the price of a loose woman or the money given to one used forsex purposes in...
Disgusting (149 Occurrences)
... me. (BBE). Leviticus 18:22 You may not havesex relations with men, as you
do with women: it is a disgusting thing. (BBE). Leviticus...
Relation (86 Occurrences)
... forgiveness. (BBE). Leviticus 18:6 You may not havesex connection with anyone
who is a near relation: I am the Lord. (BBE DBY YLT NIV)....
Eve (5 Occurrences)
... 1:27); and then, in the more particularized (or J) account of the creation of man,
the human being is described at a point before the distinction ofsex existed...
Resources
What does the Bible say about sex addiction? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about oral sex? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about sex in marriage / marital sex? | GotQuestions.orgSex: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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