Marriage is built on many things—love, trust, partnership—but when physical intimacy fades, it can feel like something vital is missing. A sexless marriage doesn’t mean a loveless one, but it often signals deeper emotional issues. What leads to a sexless marriage, and how can couples navigate the complexities of reconnecting? Let’s talk about the challenges and opportunities that come with rebuilding intimacy in a marriage.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About minding your own business
What Does The Bible Say About a sexless marriage
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.
This verse emphasizes the importance of mutual responsibility and physical intimacy within marriage. It reminds husbands and wives that they have a duty to fulfill each other’s sexual needs. It also encourages open communication and mutual consent when periods of abstinence are necessary for spiritual reasons.
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 highlights the sacredness and honor God places on marriage. It calls for couples to maintain purity and faithfulness within the marriage relationship. It serves as a reminder that God holds individuals accountable for their actions and choices regarding sexual purity.
Song of Songs 4:9
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.
This verse from the Song of Songs celebrates the beauty and allure of marital love. It portrays the intense desire and love between a husband and wife. It reminds couples that physical intimacy in marriage is not only about fulfilling needs but also about experiencing the deep emotional connection and desire that God created within 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 addresses the issue of sexual immorality and emphasizes the importance of sexual fidelity within marriage. It encourages couples to find fulfillment and satisfaction within their own marital relationship, rather than seeking it outside of marriage.
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.
This passage from Proverbs celebrates the joys and pleasures of physical intimacy within marriage. It encourages husbands to find delight and satisfaction in their wives and to cherish the love and passion they share together.
1 Corinthians 6:18-20
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
This verse emphasizes the need to flee from sexual immorality and to honor God with our bodies. It reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and that we should use them in a way that brings glory to God. Within the context of marriage, this includes honoring the marital union and keeping it pure.
Proverbs 18:22
He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.
This verse emphasizes the blessing and favor that come from finding a spouse. It highlights the goodness that marriage can bring and encourages husbands and wives to cherish and value their relationship.
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 passage from Ephesians emphasizes the sacrificial love husbands should have for their wives. It draws a parallel between Christ’s love for the church and the love husbands should have for their wives. It encourages husbands to cherish and protect their wives, just as they would care for their own bodies.
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 calls husbands to treat their wives with consideration, respect, and gentleness. It acknowledges the equal value and importance of wives in the marriage relationship. It reminds husbands that their treatment of their wives can impact their relationship with God.
Proverbs 5:15-19
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. May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.
This passage from Proverbs encourages faithfulness and exclusivity within the marriage relationship. It uses the metaphor of a well and water to illustrate the importance of keeping our affections and desires reserved for our spouse alone.
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 highlights the unity and oneness that is formed through marriage. It emphasizes the bond and connection that husband and wife share, both emotionally and physically. It serves as a reminder that sexual intimacy is a beautiful expression of the deep union between a husband and wife.
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.
This verse warns against the danger of temptation outside of the marriage relationship. It cautions individuals about the allure of illicit relationships and highlights the devastating consequences that come from straying from the path of faithfulness.
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 passage reinforces the sacredness and permanence of marriage. It reminds couples that their union is not to be taken lightly and that they should strive to protect the bond that God has formed between them.
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.
This verse encourages believers to pursue holiness and to avoid sexual immorality. It calls for self-control and honorable conduct when it comes to our bodies and our relationships. It reminds us that our actions should reflect our knowledge of and relationship with God.
Song of Songs 7:6-7
How beautiful you are and how pleasing, my love, with your delights! Your stature is like that of the palm, and your breasts like clusters of fruit.
This verse from the Song of Songs celebrates the physical beauty and attraction between a husband and wife. It highlights the delight and pleasure that can be found in the physical aspects of marital love.
1 Corinthians 7:10-11
To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.
This verse emphasizes the importance of commitment and perseverance within marriage. It discourages divorce and encourages couples to work through their differences and seek reconciliation rather than separation.
Ephesians 5:31-32
For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.
This passage from Ephesians draws a parallel between marriage and the relationship between Christ and the church. It highlights the deep spiritual significance and symbolism of marriage, pointing to the unity and love that should exist within the marital bond.
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 speaks to the importance of character and virtue within the marriage relationship. It reminds wives of the impact their behavior and character can have on their husbands, either bringing honor or causing harm.
Colossians 3:19
Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
This verse calls husbands to love their wives and to treat them with gentleness and kindness. It reminds them to consider their words and actions, seeking to build up and encourage their wives rather than being harsh or critical.
Proverbs 31:10
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
This verse celebrates the value and worth of a virtuous wife. It encourages husbands to appreciate and cherish the character and qualities of their wives, recognizing them as precious and valuable.
1 Timothy 5:14
So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.
This verse offers counsel to younger widows, encouraging them to consider remarriage as a way to fulfill their God-given roles and responsibilities. It highlights the importance of family and the potential for misinterpretation or criticism if those roles are not fulfilled.
Proverbs 19:14
Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
This verse speaks to the divine blessing and provision of a wise and discerning wife. It reminds husbands of the gift and favor that come from having a wife who is guided by the Lord in her actions and decisions.
Proverbs 20:6-7
Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find? The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.
This verse highlights the importance of faithfulness and righteousness within marriage. It underscores the impact that a faithful and blameless life can have on future generations, bringing blessing and favor to the family.
Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
This verse emphasizes the eternal value of a woman who reverences and honors the Lord. It encourages husbands and wives to prioritize spiritual qualities and character over external beauty or charm.
Malachi 2:15
Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.
This verse reminds husbands to guard their faithfulness and commitment to their wives, highlighting the importance of preserving the marital bond for the sake of godly offspring. It places value on the spiritual legacy that is passed from one generation to the next.