What Does the Bible Say About Sex?

TL;DR: The Bible presents sex as a gift designed for marriage between a husband and wife. Within that covenant, the marriage bed is described as 'undefiled' Hebrews 13:4. Outside of marriage, however, Scripture consistently warns against adultery Exodus 20:14, fornication, and sexual immorality, stating that God himself will judge those who engage in such behavior Hebrews 13:4. The Bible's sexual ethic is rooted in covenant, holiness, and the dignity of the human body.

"Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." — Hebrews 13:4

This single verse captures the Bible's dual teaching on sex: it's not inherently shameful or sinful — in fact, within marriage it's described as 'honourable' and 'undefiled' Hebrews 13:4. That's a remarkably positive affirmation. But the verse doesn't stop there. It draws a sharp line, warning that those who engage in sexual immorality outside of marriage face divine judgment Hebrews 13:4.

The Old Testament reinforces this boundary repeatedly. The seventh commandment, given twice in the Torah, is blunt:

"Thou shalt not commit adultery."

— Exodus 20:14 Exodus 20:14, echoed again in Deuteronomy 5:18 Deuteronomy 5:18. Even ritual purity laws in Leviticus acknowledged the physical reality of sex, requiring cleansing afterward Leviticus 15:18, signaling that sexuality touches the whole person — body and spirit alike.

Protestant · Christianity

Protestant View on Sex and Scripture

"Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." — Hebrews 13:4

Protestant theology has historically affirmed that sex is a good gift from God, but one that's properly ordered within the covenant of marriage. Hebrews 13:4 is the cornerstone text: the marriage bed is 'undefiled,' meaning God doesn't view marital sex as dirty or sinful — it's sanctioned and even celebrated Hebrews 13:4.

At the same time, Protestant teaching takes the prohibitions seriously. The commandment against adultery — 'Thou shalt not commit adultery' (Exodus 20:14) Exodus 20:14 — is understood not merely as a legal rule but as a protection of covenant faithfulness, human dignity, and family integrity. Deuteronomy 5:18 repeats this commandment Deuteronomy 5:18, underscoring its moral weight across both the giving of the law at Sinai and Moses' restatement of it on the plains of Moab.

Protestant reformers like Luther and Calvin emphasized that sexual desire itself isn't sinful — it's the misuse of it that Scripture condemns. Romans 7:7 draws a distinction between the law's role in identifying sin (such as 'lust' or 'concupiscence') and the desire itself Romans 7:7, suggesting that awareness of the moral law is what defines the boundary between natural desire and sinful coveting.

Deuteronomy 23:17 further reflects the Old Testament's concern for sexual holiness within the community of Israel, prohibiting cultic prostitution Deuteronomy 23:17 — a reminder that sexual ethics in Scripture are tied to worship, identity, and covenant with God, not merely personal morality.

Key takeaways

The Bible calls marriage 'honourable' and the marital bed 'undefiled,' affirming sex as a God-given gift within covenant marriage (Hebrews 13:4).
Adultery is prohibited twice in the Ten Commandments — in Exodus 20:14 and Deuteronomy 5:18 — underscoring its moral seriousness.
Hebrews 13:4 warns that 'whoremongers and adulterers God will judge,' framing sexual ethics as a divine, not merely social, concern.
Old Testament purity laws (Leviticus 15:18) treated sexuality as touching the whole person — body and spiritual standing before God.
Romans 7:7 distinguishes between natural desire and sinful lust, with the moral law serving as the boundary marker between the two.

FAQs

Does the Bible say sex is sinful?

No — the Bible explicitly says the marriage bed is 'undefiled,' meaning marital sex is honourable and not sinful Hebrews 13:4. What Scripture condemns is sex outside of the marriage covenant, including adultery Exodus 20:14 and fornication, which it says God will judge Hebrews 13:4.

What does the Bible say about adultery?

The Bible prohibits adultery directly in the Ten Commandments: 'Thou shalt not commit adultery' (Exodus 20:14) Exodus 20:14, a command repeated in Deuteronomy 5:18 Deuteronomy 5:18. Hebrews 13:4 adds that 'adulterers God will judge' Hebrews 13:4, making clear this isn't merely a social rule but a matter of divine moral law.

What does the Old Testament say about sexual purity?

The Old Testament addressed sexual purity through both moral law and ritual law. Leviticus 15:18 required bathing after sexual intercourse as a cleansing rite Leviticus 15:18, while Deuteronomy 23:17 prohibited cultic prostitution among the Israelites Deuteronomy 23:17. These laws together signaled that sexuality was a serious matter touching holiness, community, and covenant identity.

Is sexual desire itself sinful according to the Bible?

Romans 7:7 suggests the law reveals what constitutes sinful desire — 'I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet' Romans 7:7. This implies desire becomes sinful when it crosses the boundaries God has defined, not that desire itself is inherently evil. Protestant theology generally agrees: it's the misuse, not the existence, of sexual desire that Scripture condemns Hebrews 13:4.

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