Cohabitation before marriage is a topic of much debate and discussion, but what does the Bible have to say about it? Join us as we look into the scriptures that address the issue of living together before marriage, offering insights and principles for navigating relationships with wisdom, integrity, and a commitment to God’s design for love and marriage.
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Bible Verses About Living Together Before Marriage
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 reminds us of the importance of fleeing from sexual immorality. Living together before marriage falls under this category, as it goes against God’s design for marriage and sexuality. It is a sin that not only affects our bodies but also our spiritual well-being.
In a society that often promotes cohabitation, this verse serves as a clear warning to believers to resist the temptation and choose to honor God’s plan for 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 emphasizes the sanctity of marriage and the importance of keeping the marriage bed undefiled. Living together before marriage defiles the marriage bed by introducing sexual intimacy outside of the covenant of marriage.
It is vital for believers to honor and value marriage as something sacred, recognizing that God will hold us accountable for any sexual immorality or adultery.
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.”
In these verses, God’s will for our lives is made clear – that we live in sanctification and abstain from sexual immorality. It calls us to exercise self-control over our bodies and live in holiness and honor, in contrast to those who do not know God and are driven by their passions.
Living together before marriage goes against God’s command to abstain from sexual immorality and reflects a lack of self-control and disregard for God’s will.
Genesis 2:24
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
This verse establishes God’s design and plan for marriage – that a man shall leave his parents and be joined to his wife, becoming one flesh. It signifies the commitment, unity, and exclusivity that marriage is intended to entail.
Living together before marriage contradicts this biblical model by disregarding the commitment of marriage and choosing to live in a way that lacks the fullness and permanence of the marriage covenant.
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.””
In this passage, Jesus reaffirms the divine institution of marriage as God originally intended it. He references Genesis 2:24, emphasizing the importance of the unity and permanence of the marital bond.
Living together before marriage undermines this unity and the sacredness of the marriage covenant. It is a step towards separation rather than the lifelong commitment that God desires for marriage.
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 acknowledges the presence of sexual temptations and provides a clear solution – marriage. It highlights the importance of a committed marital relationship as the appropriate context for sexual intimacy.
Living together before marriage contradicts this biblical principle by engaging in sexual intimacy without the commitment and covenant of marriage, increasing the risk of succumbing to temptation and sexual immorality.
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.”
Although this verse specifically addresses adultery, its principles can be applied to any sexual immorality, including living together before marriage. It highlights the destructive consequences that accompany such actions, including dishonor and disgrace.
Living together before marriage not only goes against God’s plan for sexuality but also brings about harm and damages the individuals involved, tarnishing their reputation and causing emotional and spiritual wounds.
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 challenges believers to live in a way that distinguishes them from the world. It instructs us to not even let sexual immorality be named among us but to pursue purity and holiness instead.
Living together before marriage directly contradicts this call to purity and compromises the testimony and witness of believers, as it aligns with the behavior and values of the world rather than those of God’s kingdom.
Colossians 3:5
“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
In this verse, believers are called to put to death the sinful nature within them. This includes sexual immorality, impurity, and evil desires.
Living together before marriage involves indulging in these sinful desires and passions, which are considered idolatry in the eyes of God. It is incompatible with the call to die to our sinful nature and live in obedience to Christ.
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.”
These verses list various works of the flesh, including sexual immorality, impurity, and sensuality. They make it clear that those who persist in such behaviors will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Living together before marriage falls into the category of sexual immorality and impurity. It is crucial for believers to recognize the seriousness of engaging in such actions and the eternal consequences that they may face as a result.
1 Corinthians 7:8-9
“To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”
These verses provide guidance to the unmarried and widows, emphasizing the importance of self-control and the intentionality of entering into marriage.
Living together before marriage often stems from a lack of self-control and an indulgence in passion without the commitment and responsibility that marriage entails. It is important for believers to discern whether their desire for intimacy is driven by a godly longing or simply a burning passion.
1 Corinthians 10:31
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.”
This verse challenges believers to do everything for the glory of God, including their actions and choices regarding relationships and sexuality.
Living together before marriage does not honor God but rather indulges in worldly desires. It is of utmost importance for believers to align their actions with God’s glory and honor His plan for marriage and relationships.
Romans 6:12-14
“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”
These verses emphasize that sin should not govern our lives or dictate our actions. Believers are called to offer themselves to God and allow Him to work in and through them for righteousness.
Living together before marriage is allowing sin to govern sexual intimacy outside of God’s design. It is crucial for believers to surrender their desires and passions to God, allowing His grace to empower them to live in accordance with His will.
2 Timothy 2:22
“So, flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”
This verse encourages believers to flee youthful passions and instead pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace. It invites us to surround ourselves with like-minded individuals who also seek to live in purity.
Living together before marriage indulges in youthful passions and disregards the pursuit of righteousness and purity. It is essential for believers to align themselves with those who encourage and challenge them to live in accordance with God’s will.
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.”
In this verse, believers are reminded that they are sojourners and exiles in this world, called to abstain from the passions of the flesh that wage war against their souls.
Living together before marriage indulges in the passions of the flesh, compromising the spiritual well-being of individuals and diverting their focus from the eternal kingdom that they are a part of.
Galatians 5:16
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
These verse invites believers to walk by the Spirit, allowing God’s guidance and empowerment to lead them and help them resist gratifying the desires of the flesh.
Living together before marriage is a result of gratifying the fleshly desires and does not align with the Spirit-led life that believers are called to live.
1 Thessalonians 4:7-8
“For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.”
These verses remind believers that God has called them to holiness rather than impurity. Disregarding this call is not merely disregarding human standards but defying God Himself, who has given His Holy Spirit to reside within believers.
Living together before marriage disregards God’s call to holiness and submission to His standards. It is an act of disobedience that hinders the work of the Holy Spirit within individuals.
Romans 13:14
“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”
In this verse, believers are encouraged to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and refrain from making provision for the flesh in order to gratify its desires.
Living together before marriage makes provision for the fleshly desires and opens the door for further compromise and sin. It is important for believers to prioritize their relationship with Christ and make choices that align with His teachings and principles.
2 Corinthians 6:14
“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?”
This verse warns against being unequally yoked with unbelievers and highlights the incompatibility of righteousness with lawlessness and light with darkness.
Living together before marriage often involves a partnership with an unbeliever, which goes against God’s desire for believers to be in committed relationships that are founded on a shared faith.
1 Corinthians 15:33
“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.'”
This verse serves as a reminder to believers that bad company can corrupt good morals.
Living together before marriage often takes place within a social context where the influence of secular values and worldly advice can lead individuals astray, compromising their moral convictions.
Ephesians 5:5
“For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”
These strong words from the Apostle Paul make it clear that those who engage in sexual immorality, impurity, and covetousness will have no inheritance in the kingdom of God.
Living together before marriage falls into the category of sexual immorality and impurity and may indicate a covetousness that places desires and personal satisfaction above obedience to God’s commands.
1 Peter 1:15-16
“But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’”
These verses call believers to be holy in all aspects of their conduct, reflecting the holiness of the One who has called them.
Living together before marriage goes against this call to holiness and instead chooses to live in a manner that disregards the sanctity of marriage and the pursuit of righteousness.
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.”
In this list of sins that will prevent individuals from inheriting the kingdom of God, sexual immorality is explicitly mentioned.
Living together before marriage is a form of sexual immorality that places it in direct opposition to God’s desire for His people’s sexual purity and devotion to Him. It is vital for believers to heed this warning and choose obedience over sin.
What Does the Bible Say About Living Together Before Marriage?
The Bible does not specifically address the concept of living together before marriage, but it does provide principles and instructions that guide our understanding of this issue.
Firstly, the Bible teaches that sexual intimacy is to be reserved for marriage (1 Corinthians 6:18-20). Living together before marriage often leads to temptation and compromise in this area, which goes against God’s design for sexual purity.
Additionally, the Bible emphasizes the importance of honoring and obeying the governing authorities (Romans 13:1-2). In many cases, cohabitation outside of marriage may not align with legal and societal norms, and it can create problems in the eyes of the law.
Furthermore, the Bible encourages us to flee from situations that may lead us into sin and to pursue righteousness and holiness (2 Timothy 2:22). While living together before marriage may seem culturally acceptable, it is important to consider whether it is a situation that honors God and reflects His standards for holy living.
Ultimately, as Christians, we are called to live in a way that brings glory to God and aligns with His Word. When it comes to the decision of living together before marriage, we should prayerfully seek wisdom, consider the biblical principles, and seek counsel from mature believers. It’s important to remember that God’s intention for relationships is for them to be rooted in commitment, selflessness, and purity, all of which are best expressed within the covenant of marriage.