What does the Bible say about Human Sexuality?
Introduction. Over the years, we at BibleQuestions.Org have received many questions of a sexual nature, including those about pornography, sex between unmarried people, unmarried people living together, divorce & remarriage, homosexuality, gay civil unions & marriage, transgender issues, and sex change operations. This is not surprising given our culture's increasing emphasis on sexual freedom, diversity of sexual expression, and associated civil rights (especially beginning in the 1960's). And where the popular culture leads, many religious groups who claim to be "Christian" tend to follow in varying degrees, either by not teaching on these trends, by tolerating them, or by openly endorsing them. But for professed Bible believers, what does God through the Scriptures have to say about our sexuality? After all, since He created sexuality in the first place, He should not only know what's best for us, but also have the right to regulate it.
Sexual Purity. Popular culture would have you believe that sexual experimentation, "losing one's virginity", and having a variety of sexual experiences (as long as you practice "safe sex") are all a normal part of growing up and life. But consider the following with all quotes from the ASV (see Footnote 1):
Sexual Devotion. In contrast, many religious groups might promote sexual commitment within a stable family unit. However, they allow or encourage varying accommodations for divorce, to include easy "no-fault" divorce. But consider:
Sexual Attraction. An increasing number of "Christian" denominations are allowing or promoting same-sex relationships (homosexuality), including having practicing homosexuals in church leadership positions. But consider:
Sexual Identity. Some people are now promoting legal rights for those whose sexual self-identification (how they feel) differs from their biological gender. This includes adopting appearances & mannerisms of the opposite sex, being allowed into bathrooms & shower facilities of the opposite sex, and having cosmetic surgery or sex change operations. Recent publicity over Bruce/Caitlyn Jenner as well as calls by the Federal Government for transgender public school bathrooms are just two examples of current trends in this area.
Admittedly, there may be some genetic, hormonal, and/or psychological aspects to consider with specific individuals. But generally throughout the Scriptures, men and women are expected to dress, appear, and act differently (Deut. 22:5; 1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 5:22-33; Titus 2:5; 1 Cor. 11:6-7, 14-15; 1 Tim. 2:8-15).
Sexual Destiny. For all the emphasis on sexuality, you would think it is a critical and permanent part of our nature. But consider 1 Cor. 7's teaching about being celibate versus married as well as Jesus’ teaching in Matt. 22:30, where He says, "For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as angels in heaven."
Conclusion. Nothing in the New Testament would give Christians the authority to harass, mistreat, or persecute the sexually immoral, the divorced, the lesbian, or the transgender individual. We all need God's grace and mercy. But Christians do need to be reminded that while they are "in" the world, they are not to be "of" the world (Phil. 2:12-15; 2 Pet. 1:4; 1 John 2:15-16). And self-professed "Christian" religious groups need to be held accountable by their members for teaching the Truth (2 Tim. 4:3).
For more material at our website on these controversial topics, see:
Footnote (1). Most modern translations use the term "sexual immorality", or just "immorality" instead of the somewhat dated term "fornication" found in the KJV & ASV. When you look at the associated verses (especially Hebrews 13:4 and 1 Cor. 7:2), you can see the term “fornication” is a general one for all sexual activity outside of a scriptural marriage. It would not only include consenting sex between two unmarried heterosexuals, but also rape, prostitution, incest, adultery, homosexuality, pedophilia, group sex, bigamy, polygamy, bestiality, etc. When the Bible condemns something using a general term, all of the specific types are included.
Footnote (2). Depending on your translation, you may have "nor homosexuals, nor sodomites", "nor men who have sex with men", or "passive homosexual partners, practicing homosexuals".
Sexual Purity. Popular culture would have you believe that sexual experimentation, "losing one's virginity", and having a variety of sexual experiences (as long as you practice "safe sex") are all a normal part of growing up and life. But consider the following with all quotes from the ASV (see Footnote 1):
- ". . . but I say unto you, that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." Matt. 5:28
- "Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators . . . nor adulterers . . . shall inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Cor. 6:9-10
- "Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body." 1 Cor. 6:18
Sexual Devotion. In contrast, many religious groups might promote sexual commitment within a stable family unit. However, they allow or encourage varying accommodations for divorce, to include easy "no-fault" divorce. But consider:
- "every one that putteth away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, maketh her an adulteress: and whosoever shall marry her when she is put away committeth adultery." Matt. 5:32
- "He saith unto them, Moses for your hardness of heart suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it hath not been so. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth her when she is put away committeth adultery." Matt. 19:8-9
- "Let marriage be had in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled: for fornicators and adulterers God will judge." Heb 13:4
Sexual Attraction. An increasing number of "Christian" denominations are allowing or promoting same-sex relationships (homosexuality), including having practicing homosexuals in church leadership positions. But consider:
- ". . . Have ye not read, that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh?" Matt. 19:4-5
- "For this cause God gave them up unto vile passions: for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working unseemliness, . . ." Rom 1:26-27
- ". . . It is good for a man not to touch a woman. But, because of fornications, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband." 1 Cor. 7:1-2
Sexual Identity. Some people are now promoting legal rights for those whose sexual self-identification (how they feel) differs from their biological gender. This includes adopting appearances & mannerisms of the opposite sex, being allowed into bathrooms & shower facilities of the opposite sex, and having cosmetic surgery or sex change operations. Recent publicity over Bruce/Caitlyn Jenner as well as calls by the Federal Government for transgender public school bathrooms are just two examples of current trends in this area.
Admittedly, there may be some genetic, hormonal, and/or psychological aspects to consider with specific individuals. But generally throughout the Scriptures, men and women are expected to dress, appear, and act differently (Deut. 22:5; 1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 5:22-33; Titus 2:5; 1 Cor. 11:6-7, 14-15; 1 Tim. 2:8-15).
Sexual Destiny. For all the emphasis on sexuality, you would think it is a critical and permanent part of our nature. But consider 1 Cor. 7's teaching about being celibate versus married as well as Jesus’ teaching in Matt. 22:30, where He says, "For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as angels in heaven."
Conclusion. Nothing in the New Testament would give Christians the authority to harass, mistreat, or persecute the sexually immoral, the divorced, the lesbian, or the transgender individual. We all need God's grace and mercy. But Christians do need to be reminded that while they are "in" the world, they are not to be "of" the world (Phil. 2:12-15; 2 Pet. 1:4; 1 John 2:15-16). And self-professed "Christian" religious groups need to be held accountable by their members for teaching the Truth (2 Tim. 4:3).
- "Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, . . . nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men (footnote 2), . . . shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye were washed, but ye were sanctified, but ye were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God." 1 Cor. 6:9-11
- "and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them; for the things which are done by them in secret it is a shame even to speak of." Eph 5:11-12
For more material at our website on these controversial topics, see:
- "D" for "Divorce"
- "F" for "Family" and "Fornication"
- "H" for "Homosexuality"
- "L" for "Love"
- "M" for "Marriage"
- "P" for "Pornography"
Footnote (1). Most modern translations use the term "sexual immorality", or just "immorality" instead of the somewhat dated term "fornication" found in the KJV & ASV. When you look at the associated verses (especially Hebrews 13:4 and 1 Cor. 7:2), you can see the term “fornication” is a general one for all sexual activity outside of a scriptural marriage. It would not only include consenting sex between two unmarried heterosexuals, but also rape, prostitution, incest, adultery, homosexuality, pedophilia, group sex, bigamy, polygamy, bestiality, etc. When the Bible condemns something using a general term, all of the specific types are included.
Footnote (2). Depending on your translation, you may have "nor homosexuals, nor sodomites", "nor men who have sex with men", or "passive homosexual partners, practicing homosexuals".