Topical Bible: Sexual

Jump to: Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The term "sexual" in the context of the Bible encompasses a range of topics related to human sexuality, including sexual behavior, morality, and relationships. The Bible addresses sexual matters extensively, providing guidance on how sexuality should be expressed within the framework of God's design.

Creation and Purpose

The Bible begins with the creation narrative, where God creates humanity as male and female. In Genesis 1:27-28 , it is written: "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it.'" This passage establishes the foundational view that sexuality is part of God's good creation, intended for procreation and the expression of marital unity.

Marriage as the Context for Sexuality

The Bible consistently presents marriage as the appropriate context for sexual relations. Genesis 2:24 states, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." This "one flesh" union is understood as the consummation of marriage, symbolizing a deep, covenantal bond between husband and wife.

Sexual Morality

Scripture provides clear guidelines regarding sexual morality, emphasizing purity and fidelity. The Ten Commandments include the prohibition against adultery: "You shall not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14). Adultery is viewed as a violation of the marriage covenant and a sin against God.

The New Testament further elaborates on sexual ethics. In 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 , Paul writes, "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. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body." This passage underscores the call to sexual purity and the belief that the body is sacred, belonging to God.

Prohibitions and Consequences

The Bible explicitly prohibits various forms of sexual immorality, including fornication, adultery, and homosexual acts. Leviticus 18 and 20 outline specific sexual prohibitions, which are reiterated in the New Testament. Romans 1:26-27 addresses homosexual behavior: "For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. Likewise, the men abandoned natural relations with women and burned with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error."

Redemption and Restoration

Despite the strong prohibitions against sexual immorality, the Bible also offers hope for redemption and restoration. In John 8:11 , Jesus tells the woman caught in adultery, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more." This reflects the message of grace and the possibility of a transformed life through repentance and faith in Christ.

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on sexuality is rooted in the belief that it is a gift from God, intended to be enjoyed within the boundaries of marriage. It calls for sexual purity and fidelity, while also offering forgiveness and restoration for those who have fallen short of God's standards.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

(a.) Of or pertaining to sex, or the sexes; distinguishing sex; peculiar to the distinction and office of male or female; relating to the distinctive genital organs of the sexes; proceeding from, or based upon, sex; as, sexual characteristics; sexual intercourse, connection, or commerce; sexual desire; sexual diseases; sexual generation.

Greek

5540. chresis -- use (as in a sexual sense)
... use (as in a sexual sense). Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: chresis
Phonetic Spelling: (khray'-sis) Short Definition: usage, use Definition: use ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5540.htm - 6k

2845. koite -- a bed
... koite Phonetic Spelling: (koy'-tay) Short Definition: a bed, marriage bed Definition:
(a) a bed, (b) a marriage bed; plur: repeated (immoral) sexual intercourse ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2845.htm - 6k

733. arsenokoites -- a sodomite
... Masculine Transliteration: arsenokoites Phonetic Spelling: (ar-sen-ok-oy'-tace)
Short Definition: a male engaging in same-gender sexual activity Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/733.htm - 6k

4202. porneia -- fornication
... 4205 ) which is derived from , "to sell off") -- properly, a (surrendering) of sexual
purity; of any (every) type. [See also the contrasting term, 3430 (""). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4202.htm - 7k

203. akrobustia -- the prepuce, foreskin, hence uncircumcision
... From akron and probably a modified form of posthe (the penis or male sexual organ);
the prepuce; by implication, an uncircumcised (ie Gentile, figuratively ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/203.htm - 7k

1097. ginosko -- to come to know, recognize, perceive
... experientially know") is used for example in Lk 1:34, "And Mary [a virgin] said
to the angel, 'How will this be since I do not (1097 = sexual intimacy) a man ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1097.htm - 12k

4205. pornos -- a fornicator
... 4205 (from , "to sell off") -- properly, a male prostitute. 4205 () is ", 'a male
prostitute' (so Xen., etc.); , " ie anyone engaging in sexual immorality. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4205.htm - 7k

4561. sarx -- flesh
... Indeed, it is used positively in relation to sexual intercourse in marriage (Eph
5:31) -- as well as for the sinless human body of Jesus (Jn 1:14; 1 Jn 4:2,3 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4561.htm - 8k

4859. sumphonos -- calling out together, ie agreeing
... is the root of the English term, "") - properly, be of (voice the same opinion);
between marriage-partners to temporarily abstain from sexual relations (used ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4859.htm - 7k

4203. porneuo -- to commit fornication
... Cognate: 4203 -- commit fornication (sexual immorality); (figuratively) to be
unfaithful to Christ, while as His true follower. See 4202 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4203.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

7901. shakab -- to lie down
... A primitive root; to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other
purpose) -- X at all, cast down, ((lover-))lay (self) (down), (make to) lie ...
/hebrew/7901.htm - 6k

7902. shekabah -- (act of) lying, a layer
... copulation, seed. From shakab; a lying down (of dew, or for the sexual act) -- X
carnally, copulation, X lay, seed. see HEBREW shakab. 7901, 7902. ...
/hebrew/7902.htm - 6k

5772. ownah -- guilt
... duty of marriage From an unused root apparently meaning to dwell together; sexual
(cohabitation) -- duty of marriage. 5771, 5772. ownah. 5772a . ...
/hebrew/5772.htm - 5k

5347. neqebah -- a female
... 1). female. From naqab; female (from the sexual form) -- female. see HEBREW
naqab. 5346, 5347. neqebah. 5348 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5347.htm - 6k

7903. shekobeth -- copulation
... 1), lies* (1). lie. From shakab; a (sexual) lying with -- X lie. see HEBREW
shakab. 7902, 7903. shekobeth. 7904 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/7903.htm - 6k

2100. zub -- to flow, gush
... A primitive root; to flow freely (as water), ie (specifically) to have a (sexual)
flux; figuratively, to waste away; also to overflow -- flow, gush out, have a ...
/hebrew/2100.htm - 6k

Library

Whether it is Credible that the Men of the Primitive Age Abstained ...
... Chapter 15."Whether It is Credible that the Men of the Primitive Age Abstained from
Sexual Intercourse Until that Date at Which It is Recorded that They ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 15 whether it is credible.htm

Of the Shame which Attends all Sexual Intercourse.
... Book XIV. Chapter 18."Of the Shame Which Attends All Sexual Intercourse.
Lust requires for its consummation darkness and secrecy ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 18 of the shame which.htm

Of the Evil of Lust, --A Word Which, Though Applicable to Many ...
... Book XIV. Chapter 16."Of the Evil of Lust,"A Word Which, Though Applicable to
Many Vices, is Specially Appropriated to Sexual Uncleanness. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 16 of the evil of.htm

If the Members Rise, must they Discharge the Same Functions as Now ...
... wombs), so pregnancy is not the immediate and necessary consequence of having a
womb; but those even who are not barren abstain from sexual intercourse, some ...
/.../chapter iii if the members rise.htm

Forasmuch as Each Man is a Part of the Human Race...
... Then follows the connexion of fellowship in children, which is the one alone worthy
fruit, not of the union of male and female, but of the sexual intercourse. ...
/.../augustine/on the good of marriage/section 1 forasmuch as each.htm

The Pelagians Misunderstand "Seed" in Scripture.
... up another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.'" He then adds: "The Divinity is
said to have raised up the seed itself; as a proof that the sexual union was ...
/.../anti-pelagian writings/chapter 19 viii the pelagians misunderstand.htm

If There is no Marriage Without Cohabitation, So There is no ...
... "Show me," he says, "any bodily marriage without sexual connection." I do not show
him any bodily marriage without sexual connection; but then, neither does he ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 37 xxii if there is.htm

Truly we must Consider, that God Gives us Some Goods...
... such as wisdom, health, friendship: but others, which are necessary for the sake
of somewhat, such as learning, meat, drink, sleep, marriage, sexual intercourse ...
/.../augustine/on the good of marriage/section 9 truly we must.htm

For what Food is unto the Conservation of the Man...
... For what food is unto the conservation of the man, this sexual intercourse is unto
the conservation of the race: and both are not without carnal delight: which ...
/.../augustine/on the good of marriage/section 18 for what food.htm

For what Christian Men of Our Time Being Free from the Marriage ...
... For what Christian men of our time being free from the marriage bond, having power
to contain from all sexual intercourse, seeing it to be now "a time," as it ...
/.../augustine/on the good of marriage/section 15 for what christian.htm

Thesaurus

Sexual (59 Occurrences)
... and office of male or female; relating to the distinctive genital organs of the
sexes; proceeding from, or based upon, sex; as, sexual characteristics; sexual...
/s/sexual.htm - 23k

Immorality (38 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:32 but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause
of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when ...
/i/immorality.htm - 18k

Adulteries (10 Occurrences)
... Mark 7:21 For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries,
sexual sins, murders, thefts, (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS). ...
/a/adulteries.htm - 9k

Sexually (10 Occurrences)
... (adv.) In a sexual manner or relation. ... (WEB). 1 Corinthians 5:9 I wrote to you
in my letter to have no company with sexual sinners; (See NIV). ...
/s/sexually.htm - 9k

Unchastity (5 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:32 but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause
of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when ...
/u/unchastity.htm - 8k

Immoral (16 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 5:9 I wrote to you in my letter to have no company with sexual sinners;
(See NAS RSV NIV). ... 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee sexual immorality! ...
/i/immoral.htm - 11k

Idols (186 Occurrences)
... Acts 15:20 but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols,
from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood. ...
/i/idols.htm - 37k

Commit (142 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:32 but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause
of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when ...
/c/commit.htm - 39k

Drunk (84 Occurrences)
... Revelation 17:2 with whom the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality, and
those who dwell in the earth were made drunken with the wine of her sexual...
/d/drunk.htm - 34k

Commits (39 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:32 but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause
of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when ...
/c/commits.htm - 18k

Resources

Is it wrong for a Christian to have a sexual fantasy? | GotQuestions.org

Why is sexual temptation a bigger problem for men than for women? | GotQuestions.org

What is sexual ethics? | GotQuestions.org

Sexual: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Sexual (59 Occurrences)

Matthew 5:32
but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery.
(WEB)

Matthew 15:19
For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies.
(WEB NIV)

Matthew 19:9
I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she is divorced commits adultery."
(WEB)

Mark 7:21
For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts,
(WEB NIV)

John 8:41
You do the works of your father." They said to him, "We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father, God."
(WEB)

Acts 15:20
but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood.
(WEB NIV)

Acts 15:29
that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality, from which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell."
(WEB NIV)

Acts 21:25
But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written our decision that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from food offered to idols, from blood, from strangled things, and from sexual immorality."
(WEB NIV)

Romans 1:24
Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves,
(See NIV)

Romans 1:29
being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers,
(WEB)

1 Corinthians 5:1
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles, that one has his father's wife.
(WEB NIV)

1 Corinthians 5:9
I wrote to you in my letter to have no company with sexual sinners;
(WEB NIV)

1 Corinthians 5:10
yet not at all meaning with the sexual sinners of this world, or with the covetous and extortioners, or with idolaters; for then you would have to leave the world.
(WEB)

1 Corinthians 5:11
But as it is, I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother who is a sexual sinner, or covetous, or an idolater, or a slanderer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner. Don't even eat with such a person.
(WEB NIV)

1 Corinthians 6:9
Or don't you know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals,
(Root in WEB NAS RSV NIV)

1 Corinthians 6:13
"Foods for the belly, and the belly for foods," but God will bring to nothing both it and them. But the body is not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.
(WEB NIV)

1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee sexual immorality! "Every sin that a man does is outside the body," but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.
(WEB NIV)

1 Corinthians 7:2
But, because of sexual immoralities, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.
(WEB)

1 Corinthians 10:8
Neither let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them committed, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell.
(WEB NIV)

Galatians 5:19
Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness,
(WEB NIV)

Ephesians 5:3
But sexual immorality, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be mentioned among you, as becomes saints;
(WEB NIV)

Colossians 3:5
Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry;
(WEB NIV)

1 Thessalonians 4:3
For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality,
(WEB NAS NIV)

Jude 1:7
Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them, having, in the same way as these, given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire.
(WEB NIV)

Revelation 2:14
But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
(WEB NIV)

Revelation 2:20
But I have this against you, that you tolerate your woman, Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. She teaches and seduces my servants to commit sexual immorality, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.
(WEB NIV)

Revelation 2:21
I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.
(WEB)

Revelation 9:21
They didn't repent of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their sexual immorality, nor of their thefts.
(WEB NIV)

Revelation 14:8
Another, a second angel, followed, saying, "Babylon the great has fallen, which has made all the nations to drink of the wine of the wrath of her sexual immorality."
(WEB)

Revelation 17:2
with whom the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality, and those who dwell in the earth were made drunken with the wine of her sexual immorality."
(WEB)

Revelation 18:3
For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her sexual immorality, the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from the abundance of her luxury."
(WEB)

Revelation 18:9
The kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived wantonly with her, will weep and wail over her, when they look at the smoke of her burning,
(WEB)

Revelation 19:2
for true and righteous are his judgments. For he has judged the great prostitute, who corrupted the earth with her sexual immorality, and he has avenged the blood of his servants at her hand."
(WEB)

Exodus 19:15
He said to the people, "Be ready by the third day. Don't have sexual relations with a woman."
(WEB NIV)

Exodus 22:19
Any man who has sex connection with a beast is to be put to death.
(See NIV)

Leviticus 18:6
You may not have sex connection with anyone who is a near relation: I am the Lord.
(See NIV)

Leviticus 18:7
You may not have sex relations with your father or your mother: she is your mother, you may not take her.
(See NIV)

Leviticus 18:8
And you may not have sex relations with your father's wife: she is your father's.
(See NIV)

Leviticus 18:9
"'You shall not uncover the nakedness of your sister, the daughter of your father, or the daughter of your mother, whether born at home, or born abroad.
(See NIV)

Leviticus 18:10
You may not have sex relations with your son's daughter or your daughter's daughter, for they are part of yourself;
(See NIV)

Leviticus 18:11
"'You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father's wife's daughter, conceived by your father, since she is your sister.
(See NIV)

Leviticus 18:12
You may not have sex connection with your father's sister, for she is your father's near relation.
(See NIV)

Leviticus 18:13
You may not have sex connection with your mother's sister, for she is your mother's near relation.
(See NIV)

Leviticus 18:14
You may not have sex relations with the wife of your father's brother, for she is of your family;
(See NIV)

Leviticus 18:15
"'You shall not uncover the nakedness of your daughter-in-law: she is your son's wife. You shall not uncover her nakedness.
(See NIV)

Leviticus 18:16
You may not have sex relations with your brother's wife, for she is your brother's.
(See NIV)

Leviticus 18:17
"'You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter. You shall not take her son's daughter, or her daughter's daughter, to uncover her nakedness; they are near kinswomen: it is wickedness.
(See NIV)

Leviticus 18:18
"'You shall not take a wife to her sister, to be a rival, to uncover her nakedness, while her sister is yet alive.
(See NIV)

Leviticus 18:19
And you may not go near a woman or have sex relations with her when she is unclean, at her regular time.
(See NIV)

Leviticus 18:20
And you may not have sex relations with your neighbour's wife, making yourself unclean with her.
(See NIV)

Leviticus 18:23
And you may not have sex relations with a beast, making yourself unclean with it; and a woman may not give herself to a beast: it is an unnatural act.
(See NIV)

Leviticus 20:15
And if a man has sex relations with a beast, let him be put to death, and let the beast be put to destruction.
(See NIV)

Leviticus 20:16
And if a woman goes near a beast and has sex relations with it, you will put an end to the woman and the beast: their blood will be on them.
(See NIV)

Leviticus 20:17
And if a man takes his sister, daughter of his father or his mother, and has sex relations with her and she with him, it is an act of shame: they are to be cut off before the children of their people; he has had sex relations with his sister, and his sin will be on him.
(See NIV)

Leviticus 20:18
And if a man has sex relations with a woman at the time when she is unwell, he has seen her fountain and she has let the fountain of her blood be uncovered, and the two of them are to be cut off from among their people.
(See NIV)

Leviticus 20:19
And you may not have sex connection with your mother's sister or your father's sister, for they are his near relations: their sin will be on them.
(See NIV)

Numbers 25:1
Israel abode in Shittim; and the people began to play the prostitute with the daughters of Moab:
(See NIV)

Deuteronomy 27:21
Cursed is he who has sex relations with any sort of beast. And let all the people say, So be it.
(See NIV)

Ezekiel 16:26
You have also committed sexual immorality with the Egyptians, your neighbors, great of flesh; and have multiplied your prostitution, to provoke me to anger.
(WEB)

Subtopics

Related Terms

Immorality (38 Occurrences)

Adulteries (10 Occurrences)

Sexually (10 Occurrences)