Where in the bible does it say that sex before marriage is wrong?

Question

I'm NOT trying to start a fight! Someone told me that it doesn't say that anywhere, and I'm wondering if they are right or not. Thank you so much in advance!

Answer 1

I don't believe Adam and Eve were married, either inside the garden or outside. And we are all descended from them so they weren't even using condoms.

Go for it.

Answer 2

I've spent several hours researching this at the theology library here at Emory University.

I also asked a professor of Aramaic what his thoughts are.

When you go back to the original language, the word "porneia" used to describe what modern Christians call "fornication" is actually ambiguous - it can mean a variety of sexual sins including but not limited to sex between to unmarried people.

The Bible never explicitly says sex between two unmarried people is wrong. The verses everyone is siting on here either use "porneia" OR they only imply that sex between two unmarried people is wrong.

That being said, the Bible is God's Word - BUT it cannot fill the role of answering every question you have. It was written a long, long time ago, and while a great amount of it still applies to our lives today, there is also a lot that doesn't.

Therefore, it is up to each individual to prayerfully consider what he/she believes to be the truth - be it from the Bible or elsewhere - and follow that conviction faithfully.

Answer 3

Look at 1 Thessalonians 4:

2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

Fornication is defined as sexual intercourse between people who are not married. Sex before marriage obviously falls into this category.

For further passages on this topic, see: Matt. 15:19, Acts 15:20, Acts 21:25, 1 Corin. 6:9, 1 Cor. 6:13, 1 Cor. 10:8, Gal. 5:19, Eph. 5:3, Col. 3:5, 1 Thess. 4:3, Jude 1:7.

As you can see, there are many scriptures in the Bible that tell us not to have sex before marriage. The ones I cited were the ones that have the word "fornication" in them, but there are many more scriptures that talk about similar themes. So tell that person you talked to that they need to look a little harder before justifying themselves by thinking the bible doesn't say anything about premarital sex.

Answer 4

Along with all other kinds of sexual immorality, sex before marriage / premarital sex is repeatedly condemned in Scripture (Acts 15:20; Romans 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:13,18; 7:2; 10:8; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Jude 7). The Bible promotes abstinence before marriage. Sex before marriage is just as wrong as adultery and other forms of sexual immorality, because they all involve having sex with someone you are not married to. Sex between a husband and his wife is the only form of sexual relations that God approves of (Hebrews 13:4).

Answer 5

Look at these verses: Acts 15:20; Romans 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:13,18; 7:2; 10:8; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Jude 7

Answer 6

Great question. There is no place in the Bible that says "sex before marriage is wrong". There are various interpretations by the religious community alluding to it, but ... procreation and sex came long before the institution of marriage. If it was sinful to have sex before marriage then about half the main characters in the Bible are in really big trouble -- and polygamists to boot, big time. People took wives and husbands. Whether or not a formal marriage was conducted and registered within the law courts makes for a great debate. Especially if you go back to before the invention of lawyers, priests and the like. The morality of sex before marriage remains controversial, as always. Any creatures engaging in sex, do so, theoretically for the purpose of procreation. Mankind seems to be quite different. We partake for enjoyment (hopefully) as well as contributing to the gene pool. We call it "making love". And "making love" is not the same as having sex and should not be confused as such.

Answer 7

It seems to be that Roman Catholics -- who have the highest incident rate of molestation -- have mixed in and continue to link anything sexual to sexual fornification.

Nowehre in the Bible does it say that masterbation or premarital sex is a sin. It was only adopted by Roman Catholics.

If you were to read through the Bible from beginning to end, you will find verse that deal with sexual fornification, sex outside man woman relations but wont find anything againt premarital sex or nothing against masturbation.

Yet, for centuries catholics have offered tremendous guilt on the subjects.

This is why every person should read the Bible for themselves. Only then will you be able to free yourself from the oppression that is Catholicism

P.S. Wannzana is using two separate instruments to try proving his arguement.
First he uses a verse from the Bible, to show sexual fornification.

Then he uses a dictionary definition to try and add anything outside sex with a married couple.
Dont fall for his trickery

P.S.II
I am all for sex shoudl be a special thign between 2 people that love eachother.
i am also for the fact that there is always so many other equally gratifying sensual activities 2 people not married can enjoy.

But I am against this propoganda that I have witnessed first hand destroys people with aguilt blanket that even devote priest are unable to withstand.

The best way to answer this though, is what will you expect from your children regarding this?
then you should set a living example

Answer 8

I used that argument in High School many years ago and it didn't work. I couldn't find it then and now 40 years later I still can't find it. But now it's " sex with an old man wrong? "

I had to add this after I read the answers from the religious zealots. Sex is a sin if your Christian and follow the church. 99 % of the world feels sex is OK. Also if Jesus came and abolished all the old laws, as many Christians have been saying in their answers, then why are you quoting old testament scriptures? According to Christians the old law is out.

Answer 9

depend on where in the bible you are looking for this information at. Like the OT in Exdous 22:16 &17 And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his life. If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virigins. So it pretty much says if you have sex with someone than you marry them and become one. Than you have the NT 1 corinthians 6:9 know ye not that theunrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor effeminate nor abusers of themselves with mankind. on into vs10..

Answer 10

The Greek word "porneia" has been translated by many to mean "fornication" or sex outside of marriage. However, porneia had a broad definition in the New Testament times, and could apply to harlotry, adultery and even idol worship.

It was generally thought to pertain to loose sexual conduct which, depending on your own convictions, might or might not include pre-marital sex with a partner to whom you are committed. So, the bottom line is, it's not completely clear. Although many of us have our own opinion on the matter, I don't think any educated person can truly say his/her opinion is the correct one, after studying the word in its Greek context.

Answer 11

The seventh commandment covers in principle ALL FORMS of illicit sex, including male and female homosexuality—now an enormous sin in the Western world. Marriage is in God’s sight such a precious, righteous, holy thing that it must not be defiled!