Definition and Context
Fondling, in a biblical context, refers to the act of caressing or touching with affection or desire. It is often associated with expressions of love, tenderness, and sometimes, inappropriate or illicit behavior. The Bible addresses physical affection in various contexts, emphasizing the importance of purity, marital fidelity, and appropriate expressions of love.

Biblical References
While the term "fondling" itself is not explicitly used in the Bible, the concept can be inferred from various passages that discuss physical affection and relationships. The Bible provides guidance on the appropriate context for physical expressions of love, primarily within the bounds of marriage.

1. Song of Solomon: This book is a poetic exploration of love and affection between a bride and groom. It celebrates the beauty of marital love and the joy of physical affection within marriage. For example, Song of Solomon 1:2 states, "Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is more delightful than wine." This verse highlights the joy and delight found in affectionate expressions between a husband and wife.

2. Proverbs 5:18-19: This passage encourages rejoicing in the wife of one's youth and enjoying the physical and emotional intimacy that marriage provides. Proverbs 5:18-19 reads, "May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth: a loving doe, a graceful fawn—may her breasts satisfy you always; may you be captivated by her love forever." This passage underscores the appropriateness of fondling within the marital relationship.

3. 1 Corinthians 7:3-5: The Apostle Paul addresses the mutual responsibilities of husbands and wives in marriage, including the importance of fulfilling each other's needs. 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 states, "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 the husband. Likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife. Do not deprive one another, except 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 through your lack of self-control." This passage emphasizes the mutual consent and responsibility in the physical relationship between spouses.

Warnings Against Inappropriate Fondling
The Bible also warns against inappropriate expressions of physical affection, particularly those that occur outside the boundaries of marriage or lead to sin.

1. Proverbs 6:27-29: This passage warns against adultery and the dangers of engaging in illicit relationships. Proverbs 6:27-29 states, "Can a man embrace fire and his clothes not be burned? Can a man walk on hot coals without scorching his feet? So is he who sleeps with another man's wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished." This metaphorical language highlights the destructive consequences of engaging in inappropriate fondling or sexual immorality.

2. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5: The Apostle Paul instructs believers to avoid sexual immorality and to control their bodies in holiness and honor. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 reads, "For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God." This passage calls for self-control and purity in all physical interactions.

Conclusion
The Bible provides a framework for understanding the role of fondling within relationships, emphasizing the sanctity of marriage and the importance of purity. While physical affection is celebrated within the marital bond, believers are cautioned against engaging in inappropriate or sinful behavior.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Fondle.

2. (n.) The act of caressing; manifestation of tenderness.

3. (n.) A person or thing fondled or caressed; one treated with foolish or doting affection.

4. (n.) A fool; a simpleton; a ninny.

On Knowing Christ after the Flesh
... I have indeed particularly endeavoured, in all the hymns which are addressed to
our blessed Lord, to avoid every fondling expression, and to speak as to the ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 117 on knowing christ.htm

Essay ii. Quod Me Non Movet Aestimatione: Verum Est Greek Text ...
... permission of fortune.) Luck gave him nothing: in her most generous moods, she only
worked with him as with a friend, not for him as for a fondling; but more ...
/.../coleridge/confessions of an inquiring spirit etc/essay ii quod me non.htm

Introduction.
... Satan has robed a harlot and named her Christianity and succeeded in imposing
her upon many in the world. They are fondling with her. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /introduction.htm

Christ --Our Substitute
... These very delightful theories to such a simple mind as mine, were the source of
much amusement, the idea of fondling villains, and treating heir crimes as if ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/christour substitute.htm

Now, when it had Been Often Considered in the Councils of the Gods ...
... Him the mother of the gods loved exceedingly, because he was of most surpassing
beauty; and Acdestis, who was his companion, as he grew up fondling him, and ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/6 now when it had.htm

Whether no Venereal Act Can be Without Sin?
... i, 10): "I consider that nothing so casts down the manly mind from its height as
the fondling of a woman, and those bodily contacts." Therefore, seemingly, no ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether no venereal act can.htm

Whether Perpetual Continence is Required for Religious Perfection?
... i, 10): "I consider that nothing so casts down the manly mind from its height as
the fondling of women, and those bodily contacts which belong to the married ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether perpetual continence is required.htm

Whether There Can be Mortal Sin in Touches and Kisses?
... let it not so much as be named among you, as becometh saints," then he adds: "Or
obscenity" (which a gloss refers to "kissing and fondling"), "or foolish ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be mortal.htm

Whether Chastity is a Distinct virtue from Abstinence?
... i, 10): "I consider that nothing so casts down the manly mind from its heights as
the fondling of women, and those bodily contacts which belong to the married ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether chastity is a distinct.htm

Whether the Parts of Temperance are Rightly Assigned?
... of procreation, there is "chastity," and as to the pleasures incidental to the act,
resulting, for instance, from kissing, touching, or fondling, we have ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the parts of temperance.htm

Fondling (1 Occurrence)
... foolish or doting affection. 4. (n.) A fool; a simpleton; a ninny.
Multi-Version Concordance Fondling (1 Occurrence). Genesis 26:8 It ...
/f/fondling.htm - 7k

Nursling (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who, or that which, is nursed; an infant;
a fondling. Multi-Version Concordance Nursling (3 Occurrences). ...
/n/nursling.htm - 7k

Fondled (3 Occurrences)

/f/fondled.htm - 7k

Dally
... 2. (vi) To interchange caresses, especially with one of the opposite sex; to use
fondling; to wanton; to sport. 3. (vt) To delay unnecessarily; to while away. ...
/d/dally.htm - 7k

Coax (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To persuade by gentle, insinuating courtesy,
flattering, or fondling; to wheedle; to soothe. 2. (n.) A simpleton; a dupe. ...
/c/coax.htm - 6k

Food (2953 Occurrences)

/f/food.htm - 36k

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