Articles
The Bible and Sex
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It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father's wife! (1 Cor. 5:1)
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! (1 Cor. 6:15)
Because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. (1 Cor. 7:2-3).
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Read Paul's treatment of the topic of sex in three chapters of his first letter to the Corinthians, and it's obvious that these people were just as confused on the subject as our own culture. Maybe we can learn something by studying what he had to say.
In chapter five, the issue is a member of the congregation who was openly involved in an illicit relationship with his step-mother. Even among the promiscuous Gentiles, this behavior was over-the-top scandalous. Yet the church was looking the other way, refusing to confront the matter. Paul came down hard on them: "Put away from yourselves the evil person" (v. 13).
In chapter six, Paul addresses members of the church who were cavorting with prostitutes. In Corinth, that was no big deal; everybody did it. But for the community of Christ, this was intolerable. Paul insisted that they cease this behavior and live lives of sexual purity. "Flee sexual immorality. . . . glorify God in your body" (v. 18, 20).
In chapter seven, Paul responds to questions about marriage. Apparently some members went too far the other direction and believed that ALL sex was impure and corrupting, so marriage itself was verboten. Paul argues that, while marriage is certainly not required to be a Christian, there is nothing wrong with it. In fact, it serves as a legitimate outlet for our normal sexual desires. Marriage is an institution created by God, and we should honor it as such. "Let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband" (v. 2).
Put all this together, and Paul provides a comprehensive answer to all the sexual misinformation and confusion that troubles our society today.
- Traditional marriage between a man and a woman is honorable, wholesome, and fulfilling. It is the best--and only--outlet for enjoying our sexuality.
- Prostitution--treating sex as an impersonal commodity--is degrading and dehumanizing. Stop it!
- Seeking sexual thrills through more exotic and kinky relationships is likewise destabilizing. Don't go there!
If our culture followed the guidelines Paul lays out in these three chapters, much of the emotional and psychological damage being caused by our twisted views of sexuality would be avoided.
Of course, first we have to acknowledge the Bible's role as the primary source of guidance in such matters. Until that happens, we will continue to stumble in a darkness of our own making. And God weeps at the senselessness of it all.
--David
