Marriage is a sacred bond ordained by God, but it comes with its own set of challenges. The Bible addresses various aspects of marriage, including intimacy, through verses that offer guidance and understanding. Let’s explore these verses with empathy and openness, seeking wisdom on navigating the complexities of marital relationships.
What Does the Bible Say About Sexless Marriage?
In the Bible, marriage is considered a sacred and intimate union between a man and a woman. The Bible encourages a healthy and fulfilling sexual relationship within the confines of marriage. In 1 Corinthians 7:5, it is stated that both husband and wife should not deprive each other of sexual relations except for a time of prayer and fasting, and then only by mutual consent.
Within the marriage context, sexual intimacy is meant to be a reflection of the love, unity, and selflessness between a husband and wife. It is a way for spouses to honor and serve each other in a deeply intimate and physical manner. 1 Corinthians 7:3-4 emphasizes the importance of fulfilling each other’s sexual needs within marriage.
Sexual intimacy in marriage is also a means of safeguarding against the temptation of sexual immorality, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 7:2. When a couple neglects their sexual relationship, it can create a void where both partners may be susceptible to worldly temptations.
However, we understand that there are various reasons why a marriage may become sexless, such as health issues, emotional trauma, or relational struggles. In such cases, prayer, communication, and seeking professional help should be pursued to address and overcome these challenges.
It is important for us to remember that each marriage is unique, and the challenges within it are valid. The Bible encourages us to love and honor our spouses, addressing issues with understanding, patience, and a commitment to working through difficulties together.
Ultimately, the Bible teaches us that our bodies belong to our spouses, and this mutual ownership includes the responsibility to nurture and honor each other through the gift of sexual intimacy within the bonds of marriage.
Also Read: Bible Verses About God’S Care
Bible Verses About Sexless Marriage
1 Corinthians 7:2
“But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of sexual relations within the covenant of marriage. It reminds couples that they should seek fulfillment and intimacy within the boundaries of their marriage instead of engaging in sexual immorality.
Hebrews 13:4
“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”
This verse reminds us of the sacredness of marriage and the importance of maintaining purity within the marriage relationship. It emphasizes that God’s judgment awaits those who engage in sexual immorality.
Proverbs 5:18-19
“May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer— may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.”
These verses celebrate the joy and satisfaction that comes from a loving and intimate sexual relationship within marriage. It encourages husbands to find delight in their wives and to be fully satisfied by the love and intimacy they share.
1 Corinthians 7:3-5
“The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”
These verses emphasize the mutual responsibility of spouses to fulfill each other’s sexual needs within the context of marriage. It emphasizes the importance of open communication and mutual consent in regards to physical intimacy. It also highlights the temporary withholding of sexual relations for spiritual purposes.
1 Corinthians 6:18
“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.”
This verse calls believers to flee from sexual immorality and warns of the consequences of engaging in such sins. It highlights that sexual sins have a unique impact on a person’s spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God.”
These verses exhort believers to live a life of holiness and sexual purity. It stresses the importance of self-control and honoring God with our bodies, contrasting the instructions with the behavior of those who do not know God.
Proverbs 6:32-33
“But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself. Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away.”
These verses highlight the destructive consequences of adultery and sexual immorality. It cautions against engaging in such behavior, reminding us of the lasting shame and consequences that result from these actions.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
These verses remind believers that those who continue in sexual immorality will not inherit the kingdom of God. It emphasizes the importance of turning away from these sins and living a life that is pleasing to God.
1 Peter 3:7
“Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.”
This verse urges husbands to have considerate and respectful attitudes towards their wives. It recognizes the equal value and importance of both spouses and emphasizes the impact that mistreatment could have on their prayers.
Proverbs 31:10-12
“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.”
These verses depict the value and worth of a virtuous wife. It highlights the trust and confidence her husband has in her and the goodness she brings into his life. It speaks to the importance of a loving and supportive relationship within marriage.
Song of Solomon 4:9-10
“You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride; you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace. How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much more pleasing is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume more than any spice!”
These verses are a beautiful expression of love and attraction between a husband and wife. It captures the joy and delight they find in each other’s love and affection, emphasizing the beauty and desirability of their relationship.
1 Corinthians 7:9
“But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”
This verse acknowledges the God-given desire for sexual intimacy and affirms the importance of marriage as a way to properly channel and fulfill those desires. It recognizes the potential struggles individuals may face with self-control and encourages them to pursue marriage if necessary.
Proverbs 5:15-17
“Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.”
These verses metaphorically illustrate the importance of marital fidelity and keeping sexual relations exclusive within the marriage relationship. It urges spouses to find satisfaction and fulfillment in each other and avoid seeking it elsewhere.
Genesis 2:24
“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”
This verse establishes the divine design for marriage, emphasizing the unity and oneness that is formed between a husband and wife. It implies the physical, emotional, and spiritual bond that is created through the marriage covenant.
Song of Solomon 2:7
“Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.”
These words caution against prematurely engaging in sexual expressions before the proper time. It encourages the pursuit of love and intimacy within the proper context of marriage.
Ephesians 5:22-23
“Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.”
This verse addresses the roles and responsibilities within a marriage. It instructs wives to submit to their husbands, recognizing the husband’s authority and leadership in the family, while also drawing a parallel to the submission of the church to Christ.
Ephesians 5:25-28
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.”
This verse addresses husbands’ responsibilities in marriage. It instructs them to love their wives sacrificially, just as Christ loved the church. It emphasizes the husband’s responsibility to care for and nurture his wife, ensuring her holiness and well-being.
Proverbs 12:4
“A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.”
This verse highlights the significant impact a wife can have on her husband’s life. It underscores the value of a virtuous and supportive wife and the negative consequences of a wife who brings shame and disgrace to her husband.
Matthew 5:27-28
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
These verses reveal that sexual purity goes deeper than mere physical actions. Jesus emphasizes the importance of purity in our thoughts and desires, recognizing that lusting after someone who is not our spouse is already a form of adultery.
Colossians 3:19
“Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.”
This verse instructs husbands to love their wives and to treat them with gentleness and kindness. It emphasizes the importance of a loving and respectful attitude towards one’s spouse.
Matthew 19:5-6
“For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh? So, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
This verse is a reminder of the permanent and sacred nature of marriage. It proclaims that once a couple is joined together by God, their union should not be broken by human actions or desires.
Proverbs 5:3-4
“For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end, she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.”
These verses serve as a warning against the seductive nature of sexual immorality. It highlights the initial allure but also exposes the ultimate bitterness and harm that result from giving in to temptation.
1 Timothy 5:2
“Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters.”
This verse reminds believers to interact with members of the opposite sex, especially within the church, with pure and respectful attitudes. It encourages treating others as family and encourages maintaining appropriate boundaries.
Matthew 5:32
“But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
These verses highlight the seriousness and permanence of the marriage covenant. It stresses the biblical allowance for divorce in cases of sexual immorality but also cautions against divorcing and remarrying for other reasons, as it would lead to adultery.
Proverbs 5:20-21
“Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife? Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman? For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths.”
These verses warn against the allure and dangers of being unfaithful to one’s spouse. It emphasizes that our actions are continually observed by God and urges us to resist temptation and remain faithful in our relationships.