The term "promiscuous" refers to engaging in casual and indiscriminate sexual relationships. In the context of the Bible, promiscuity is often associated with behaviors that deviate from the sexual ethics prescribed by Scripture. The Bible consistently upholds the sanctity of marriage and sexual relations within the confines of this covenantal relationship.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, promiscuity is frequently addressed in the context of warnings against sexual immorality. The Law of Moses explicitly prohibits adultery and fornication, emphasizing the importance of sexual purity. Leviticus 18:20 states, "You must not have sexual relations with your neighbor’s wife and defile yourself with her." This command underscores the sanctity of marriage and the prohibition against extramarital sexual relations.

The account of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19 is often cited as an example of the consequences of rampant sexual immorality. The cities were destroyed due to their inhabitants' grievous sins, which included promiscuous behavior. This narrative serves as a stark warning against the moral decay that can result from such actions.

Wisdom Literature

The Book of Proverbs frequently warns against the dangers of promiscuity. Proverbs 5:3-5 cautions, "Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey and her speech is smoother than oil, in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to Sheol." This passage highlights the seductive nature of promiscuity and its destructive consequences.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, the call to sexual purity is reiterated and expanded upon. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently addresses issues of sexual immorality. In 1 Corinthians 6:18, Paul exhorts believers, "Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a man can commit is outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body." This verse emphasizes the unique nature of sexual sin and the need for believers to avoid promiscuous behavior.

Paul further elaborates in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, "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." Here, the call to holiness is linked with self-control and the rejection of lustful passions.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the Greco-Roman world, promiscuity was often normalized and even celebrated in certain contexts. The early Christian community, however, was called to stand apart from these cultural norms and to embody a countercultural ethic of sexual purity. This distinctiveness was a powerful testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel.

Theological Implications

Promiscuity, as depicted in the Bible, is not merely a personal failing but a violation of God's design for human relationships. The biblical narrative consistently presents marriage as a sacred covenant between one man and one woman, reflecting the relationship between Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:31-32). Promiscuity undermines this divine institution and distorts the image of God's faithful love.

Pastoral Considerations

In addressing promiscuity, pastoral care often involves guiding individuals toward repentance and restoration. The message of the Gospel offers hope and redemption for those who have engaged in promiscuous behavior. Through the grace of Christ, believers are called to a renewed life of holiness and purity, empowered by the Holy Spirit to live in accordance with God's will.1. (a.) Having sexual relations frequently and lacking standards in the choice of partners.

2. (a.) Distributed or applied without order or discrimination; not restricted to an individual; common; indiscriminate; as, promiscuous love or intercourse.

628. asaphsuph -- a collection, rabble
... mixed multitude. By reduplication from 'acuph; gathered up together, ie A promiscuous
assemblage (of people) -- mixt multitude. see HEBREW 'acuph. 627, 628. ...
/hebrew/628.htm - 6k

The Domestic Relation.
... While the civil contract is acceptable unto God by way of preventing promiscuous
sexual intercourse, it is powerless to make both one flesh and bone. ...
/.../orr/the gospel day /chapter xiii the domestic relation.htm

The Hidden Treasure.
... that are without. That lesson, accordingly, the Lord and his apostles were
wont to teach in promiscuous assemblies. While, therefore ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/v the hidden treasure.htm

Elevated Morality of the Christians.
... But it behoved them, if they meant to condemn shameless and promiscuous intercourse,
to hate either Zeus, who begat children of his mother Rhea and his ...
/.../a plea for the christians/chapter xxxii elevated morality of the.htm

The Heathen Gods from Heathen Authorities
... But they are at best an absurd story. In the popular accounts? [792] This sort of
opinion, [793] however, is only promiscuous [794] and municipal. ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter i the heathen gods from.htm

Of the victory of Sylla, the Avenger of the Cruelties of Marius.
... For when Sylla approached, and they despaired not only of victory, but of life
itself, they made a promiscuous massacre of friends and foes. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 28 of the victory of.htm

Letter to Veranus
... Rightly it is so managed, because the purity of eloquence is hidden altogether from
the promiscuous eyes of the crowd, as if it were covered by a garment of ...
/.../eucherius/the formulae of st eucherius of lyons/letter to veranus.htm

Upon the Love of Our Neighbour.
... even as your Father, which is in heaven, is perfect, {26} the perfection of the
divine goodness is proposed to our imitation as it is promiscuous, and extends ...
//christianbookshelf.org/butler/human nature/sermon xii upon the love.htm

Latitudinarian Churchmanship.
... cause, and who had greatly contributed to raise the repute of the English Church,
were constantly ranked as Latitudinarians in one promiscuous class with men ...
/.../chapter iv latitudinarian churchmanship.htm

The Retreat from Scythia.
... Another tribe lived in habits of promiscuous intercourse, like the lower orders
of animals; and so, as the historian absurdly states, being, in consequence of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter ix the retreat from.htm

Hold Fast in the Meantime this Persuasion, While I Examine a ...
... challenging that this be judged in the light of the distinction between things
agreeable and things opposed to reason, because the promiscuous employment of ...
/.../tertullian/the chaplet or de corona/chapter viii hold fast in.htm

Promiscuous (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Distributed or applied without order or discrimination; not restricted to
an individual; common; indiscriminate; as, promiscuous love or intercourse. ...
/p/promiscuous.htm - 7k

Promiscuity (6 Occurrences)

/p/promiscuity.htm - 8k

Ostrich (9 Occurrences)
... has a struggle to swallow whole prey it has taken, but the mere fact that it is
a night hunter forever shuts it from the class of greedy and promiscuous feeders ...
/o/ostrich.htm - 18k

Lewd (37 Occurrences)
... lawless; bad; vicious. 3. (superl.) Given to the promiscuous indulgence of
lust; dissolute; lustful; libidinous. 4. (superl.) Suiting ...
/l/lewd.htm - 20k

Mix (10 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To cause a promiscuous interpenetration of the parts of, as of two or more
substances with each other, or of one substance with others; to unite or ...
/m/mix.htm - 9k

Adultery (49 Occurrences)
...Promiscuous intercourse with their neighbors' wives is laid by Jeremiah at the door
of the false prophets of his day (Jeremiah 23:10, 14; Jeremiah 29:23). ...
/a/adultery.htm - 32k

Woman (4043 Occurrences)
... By Noah's time polygamy had degenerated into promiscuous inter-racial marriages
of the most incestuous and illicit kind (Genesis 6:1-4; see SONS OF GOD). ...
/w/woman.htm - 45k

Promise (112 Occurrences)

/p/promise.htm - 42k

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