In today’s world, discussions about relationships and sexuality can sometimes bring up complicated topics like threesomes. But what does the Bible say about such situations? While the Bible doesn’t explicitly mention threesomes, it offers clear teachings about sexual purity, marriage, and the sanctity of intimate relationships. Let’s explore how Scripture addresses sexuality, the importance of maintaining God’s design for relationships, and how we can honor God in our personal lives.
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What Does The Bible Say About Threesomes
Genesis 2:24
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
This verse establishes the foundation for marriage as a union between one man and one woman. It emphasizes the importance of leaving one’s parents to form a new, exclusive relationship with a spouse.
It is essential to understand that the concept of a threesome contradicts the biblical model of marriage outlined in this verse. Scripture consistently upholds monogamy as God’s design for intimate relationships.
Matthew 19:4-6
“He answered, ‘Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.’”
Jesus reaffirms God’s original plan for marriage as a lifelong bond between one man and one woman in this verse. He cites Genesis and reinforces the importance of leaving parental ties to establish a strong marital relationship.
This verse further highlights the significance of commitment and unity in marriage. By emphasizing that God has joined the couple together, it emphasizes the sacred and exclusive nature of the marital covenant.
1 Corinthians 6:18
“Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.”
This verse urges believers to abstain from sexual immorality. It warns against engaging in any sexual activity outside the boundaries of marriage.
A threesome, involving multiple partners, falls into the category of sexual immorality, as it deviates from God’s design for monogamous, exclusive relationships. It is crucial for believers to understand and uphold biblical principles regarding sexual purity.
Hebrews 13:4
“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”
This verse highlights the importance of honoring and preserving the sanctity of marriage. It emphasizes the need for purity within the marital relationship.
A threesome contradicts the Biblical principle of honoring marriage by involving sexual activities outside the marriage bed. It goes against God’s commandments and exposes individuals to the judgment of God as sexually immoral.
Galatians 5:19-21
“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
This verse lists various works of the flesh that are contrary to the Spirit-led life. It includes sexual immorality and orgies as actions that disqualify individuals from inheriting the kingdom of God.
Engaging in a threesome would fall under the category of sexual immorality and orgies, both of which Scripture explicitly condemns. It is essential for believers to discern the consequences of such actions and strive to live a life in accordance with God’s commands.
1 Corinthians 10:8
“We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day.”
This verse serves as a warning by recounting the consequences of those who indulged in sexual immorality. It refers to an incident where a significant number of people died due to their disobedience.
By mentioning the severe consequences of sexual immorality, including engaging in threesomes, this verse emphasizes the importance of sexual purity and obedience to God’s commands.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.”
This verse underscores God’s will for believers – to live a life of sanctification and sexual purity. It calls for abstaining from all forms of sexual immorality, including engaging in threesomes.
Christians are called to honor God with their bodies and control their desires, rejecting the lustful passions commonly associated with sexual immorality. Through this, believers bear witness to the transformative power of the Gospel in their lives.
Mark 7:21-23
“For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”
This verse highlights that sexual immorality, along with all other sinful practices, originates from the human heart. It emphasizes the defiling nature of engaging in behaviors contrary to God’s commands.
A threesome, as an act of sexual immorality, stems from impure thoughts and desires and is contrary to God’s design for sexual intimacy within the boundaries of marriage.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
This verse explicitly states that those who engage in sexual immorality, among other sins, will not inherit the kingdom of God. It underscores the seriousness of engaging in actions contrary to God’s commands.
A threesome falls under the category of sexual immorality, which puts individuals at risk of exclusion from the kingdom of God. It is crucial for believers to turn away from such practices and seek forgiveness and transformation in Christ.
Proverbs 5:15-20
“Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well. Should your springs be scattered abroad, streams of water in the streets? Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with you. Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.”
These verses accentuate the importance of marital fidelity and satisfaction within the confines of one’s own marital relationship. They encourage finding fulfillment and enjoyment in one’s spouse and prohibit the sharing of intimacy with others.
By extolling the blessings of exclusive love and satisfaction in marriage, these verses serve as a reminder of the beauty and depth that can be found in monogamous relationships. They discourage the pursuit of threesomes or any form of infidelity.
Ephesians 5:3
“But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.”
This verse sets a high standard for believers, urging them to abstain from sexual immorality entirely. It warns against even allowing such practices to be mentioned among the community of saints.
Engaging in a threesome goes against the command to refrain from sexual immorality and impurity. It is vital for believers to maintain a lifestyle that aligns with their identity as saints and to pursue sexual purity as an expression of obedience to God.
1 Peter 2:11
“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.”
This verse exhorts believers to resist the passions of the flesh, which can lead them astray and jeopardize their spiritual well-being. It encourages living as sojourners and exiles in this world, holding fast to godly principles.
Engaging in a threesome feeds into the passions of the flesh, diverting individuals from a path of godliness and holiness. Believers are called to resist such temptations and continually strive for purity and righteousness.
1 Corinthians 6:13
“Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.”
This verse distinguishes between the purposes of the physical body and the desires of the flesh. It asserts that the body is not meant for sexual immorality but is designed for the Lord’s purposes.
Engaging in a threesome contradicts the intended purpose of the body, which is to honor God and not to indulge in sexual immorality. By aligning their actions with God’s intention, believers express their devotion to the Lord.
Romans 13:13-14
“Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”
This verse calls believers to walk in righteousness and avoid engaging in sinful behaviors. It specifically mentions abstaining from sexual immorality, sensuality, and orgies.
A threesome constitutes sexual immorality and indulgence of fleshly desires, which is contrary to the call to live a life devoted to Christ. Believers are encouraged to put on the character of Christ and deny the fleshly cravings.
1 Corinthians 7:2
“But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.”
This verse highlights the role of marriage in safeguarding against sexual immorality. It encourages each man and woman to have their own spouse for companionship and the fulfillment of sexual desires.
A threesome violates the exclusive nature of marriage and promotes sexual activity beyond the boundaries of a husband and wife relationship. It is crucial for believers to honor the sanctity of marriage and resist the temptation to engage in sexually immoral acts.
1 Corinthians 7:5
“Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”
This verse addresses the issue of sexual intimacy within marriage, highlighting the importance of fulfilling each other’s needs. It advises against depriving one another of physical intimacy, except for a mutually agreed-upon period for prayer.
A threesome would go against the principle of exclusive intimacy within marriage, as it involves additional partners and compromises the unity and commitment between a husband and wife. Believers are encouraged to prioritize fulfilling each other’s desires within the covenant of marriage.
Colossians 3:5
“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
This verse calls believers to put to death earthly desires and passions, including sexual immorality. It emphasizes the need to rid oneself of impure thoughts and actions.
Engaging in a threesome is a manifestation of sexual immorality, an earthly desire that goes against God’s design for intimacy. Believers are called to pursue holiness and righteousness, putting to death their sinful desires.
1 Corinthians 7:9
“But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”
This verse addresses the issue of sexual desires and self-control. It suggests that those who struggle with self-control should consider getting married to fulfill their sexual needs within the confines of marriage.
A threesome would not align with the biblical solution presented in this verse, as it involves seeking fulfillment outside the boundaries of a monogamous marriage. Believers are called to exercise self-control and pursue God’s plan for sexual intimacy within marriage.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
These verses remind believers that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the need to honor and respect their bodies as indwelled by God’s presence.
Engaging in a threesome disrespects the sacredness of the body, which should be dedicated to glorifying God. It is crucial for believers to remember their identity as God’s possession and live in a way that brings honor to Him.
Proverbs 6:32-33
“He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself. He will get wounds and dishonor, and his disgrace will not be wiped away.”
These verses emphasize the severity and consequences of committing adultery. They highlight the destruction and lasting impact it has on individuals.
A threesome involving married individuals constitutes adultery, which Scripture condemns. It bears the potential for significant emotional and relational wounds and brings a lasting dishonor that cannot easily be erased. It is vital for believers to guard their hearts and avoid such destructive actions.
1 Thessalonians 4:4-5
“That each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.”
These verses call believers to exercise self-control over their bodies, living in holiness and honor. They contrast the behavior of believers with that of the Gentiles, who are driven by lustful passions.
A threesome fosters the passion of lust and goes against the call to control one’s body in holiness. It is crucial for believers to differentiate themselves from worldly behaviors and strive to honor God in their thoughts and actions.
James 1:14-15
“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”
These verses provide insight into the process of temptation and the progression toward sin and its consequences. They highlight the need to resist and overcome wrongful desires.
Engaging in a threesome stems from wrongful desires and gives birth to sexual sin, which can lead to spiritual death. Believers are encouraged to guard their hearts and resist the allure of temptation, seeking instead to pursue God’s righteousness.