Sex is a gift from God meant to be enjoyed within the bounds of marriage between a husband and wife. The Bible has a lot to say about the beauty of marital intimacy and the importance of keeping sex within marriage. Here is an overview of some key biblical principles about sex:
Sex is God’s Idea
God created sex and sexuality. Genesis 1:27-28 indicates that God made humans male and female and blessed them to “be fruitful and multiply.” Sex is part of God’s good creation, even before sin entered the world. The Song of Solomon celebrates the joy and pleasure of marital intimacy. So sex itself is not sinful, but a beautiful gift from God to be cherished within marriage.
Sex is Reserved for Marriage
Several verses indicate God intended sex to be exclusively for marriage. Passages like Hebrews 13:4, 1 Corinthians 7:2, and 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 clearly restrict sex to the marriage relationship. The Bible condemns sexual immorality (any sexual activity outside of marriage). Sex is a way for spouses to express their covenant love for each other and become “one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). God forbid sex before marriage to protect people from the harm of non-marital relationships.
Sex Strengthens the Marriage Bond
Sex is a vital part of a healthy marriage. 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 teaches that husbands and wives have a marital duty to fulfill each other’s sexual needs. Song of Solomon highlights the emotional and spiritual intimacy sex brings in marriage. Overall, sex in marriage enables two people to share love, joy, and pleasure in a unique way.
Sex is Meant to be Enjoyed
Contrary to some misconceptions, the Bible presents sex as something to delight in and enjoy within marriage. Proverbs 5:18-19 encourages husbands to delight in their wives’ breasts and be intoxicated with her love. Song of Solomon is filled with romantic descriptions of the joys of sexual love between a husband and wife. God wants married couples to have wonderful sex lives.
Sex Has a Procreative Purpose
Another fundamental purpose of sex is producing children. Genesis 1:28 talks about being “fruitful and multiplying.” Though sex is not solely for procreation, marriage and family are intricately tied in God’s design. Children are a blessing from God and sex is the means by which married couples can participate in God’s creative work.
Sex is the Means to Avoid Sexual Sin
1 Corinthians 7:2 and 7:9 say that husbands and wives should fulfill their marital duty to each other so that they will not fall into sexual temptation. God knows that human beings need a legitimate outlet for their sex drives. Marriage provides this so people are not enslaved by lust.
Sex Requires Mutual Sacrifice & Respect
The Bible rejected exploitative or coercive sexual practices. 1 Peter 3:7 calls husbands to treat their wives with honor and sensitivity. Ephesians 5:25 says husbands should love their wives sacrificially like Christ loved the church. God expects love, patience, and selflessness to permeate all marital relations, including sex.
Sex is Spiritually Significant
Sex involves a mysterious spiritual union. When a man and woman join together sexually, the Bible suggests they become “one flesh” in a profound way. This spiritual union provides the basis for their covenant faithfulness to each other (Mark 10:8). That is why any sexual activity outside of marriage is so seriously wrong.
Sex is Meant to Serve your Spouse
The biblical perspective on sex is that it is meant to serve your spouse, just as Christ sacrifices Himself in love for the church (Ephesians 5). Sex should not be about selfishness or oppression but mutual fulfillment, unity, comfort, joy, and blessing within marriage. Husbands and wives are called to make reasonable sexual concessions to serve each other.
God Can Forgive and Redeem those Caught in Sexual Sin
The Bible offers grace, forgiveness, and redemption to any who confess and repent of sexual sin. God cherishes purity yet will freely forgive the sexually immoral (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). No matter one’s background, God can restore people and enable them to honor Him with their sexuality.
God’s Design for Sex Protects Us
God’s standards for saving sex for marriage are not meant to repress people but protect them. God made boundaries because He loves humanity. When we transgress those boundaries, it harms us. But when we live according to God’s design, sexual intimacy becomes something beautiful that enhances marriage and family.
Sex Within Marriage Points to Spiritual Truths
Beyond being pleasurable, the marriage relationship and marital intimacy paint a picture of Christ’s love for the church (Ephesians 5:32). The exclusivity and covenant faithfulness integral to marriage reflect God’s passion and devotion to His people. So God crafted marriage and sex to reflect spiritual truths.
Sex is Ultimately Meant to Glorify God
1 Corinthians 10:31 says all things should be done to the glory of God. So the ultimate purpose of sex is to glorify the Creator who designed it. When sex is practiced according to biblical principles, it points to God’s creativity, His love for humanity, and His desire for purity and faithfulness.
In summary, the Bible celebrates sex as a gift to married couples, restricts it to marriage, points to its spiritual significance, and gives guidelines for enjoying it while honoring God. God is not a cosmic killjoy but a loving Father who created sex for human flourishing and His glory.
Sex is complex and multifaceted. This overview covers key biblical principles, but there is more that could be said. The Bible offers profound wisdom for how to steward our sexuality and truly flourish as human beings. When we honor God’s design for sex, we experience it as He meant it to be – beautiful, fulfilling, and holy.