Genesis 2:24, 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, 1 Corinthians 7:3-5
God Created Sex — and Called It Good
One of the most important truths about human sexuality is that God created it. Sex is not a human invention, not a necessary evil, not merely a biological function — it is God's idea, designed before sin entered the world, and declared good.
The Song of Solomon exists in the Bible as an extended, uninhibited celebration of sexual love between a husband and wife. It is inspired Scripture. It is not an embarrassing appendix to the canon — it is the Spirit's own affirmation that marital intimacy is a gift to be celebrated.
Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth. — Proverbs 5:18
The Purposes of Sex in Marriage
God designed sexual intimacy within marriage to serve several purposes:
Union. "The two shall become one flesh." (Genesis 2:24). Physical intimacy is the bodily expression and renewal of the covenant union of husband and wife. It is the most complete form of the one-flesh bond — which is why Paul argues that sexual union with a prostitute is so serious: it creates a one-flesh bond outside of covenant (1 Corinthians 6:16).
Pleasure and delight. The Song of Solomon leaves no doubt that sexual pleasure between husband and wife is not merely tolerated but celebrated. The Proverbs passage above calls a man to "rejoice" in his wife. God designed sexual intimacy to be mutually pleasurable.
Protection. Paul counsels married couples not to deprive each other sexually for extended periods, so that neither is tempted toward sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 7:5). Sexual intimacy within marriage is one of God's appointed means of guarding against temptation.
Procreation. The first command given to humanity was "Be fruitful and multiply." (Genesis 1:28). Children are a gift and blessing from God, and sexual union is the means by which that blessing comes.
Why Marriage Is the Boundary
The Bible consistently locates sexual intimacy within marriage — exclusively. Sexual activity outside of marriage — whether premarital sex, adultery, or other forms — is consistently described as porneia (sexual immorality) and is condemned throughout both Testaments.
This is not prudishness or cultural conservatism. It is God's protection of the gift. Sex outside of covenant creates one-flesh bonds without covenant commitment, produces children without stable families, and distorts the picture of Christ and the church that marriage is designed to portray.
Honouring God in the Body
Paul's summary is clear: "Flee from sexual immorality... 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." (1 Corinthians 6:18-20).