Biblical Answer

The Bible does not explicitly forbid premarital sex. While it emphasizes the importance of marriage and the marriage bond, it does not directly address the issue of premarital sex. However, it does speak to the consequences of engaging in sexual immorality, including premarital sex. In 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, the Apostle Paul warns against sexual immorality, including "fornication," which is often translated as premarital sex. He encourages believers to "flee from sexual immorality" and to "pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart." This passage suggests that premarital sex is not in line with God's will for believers, but it does not explicitly condemn it.

The biblical teaching on sex emphasizes the importance of marriage and the marriage bond. In Genesis 2:24, it is written, "Therefore a man leaves his father and mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh." This passage highlights the significance of marriage as a union between two people who become one flesh. The Bible also teaches that sex is a gift from God, intended for marriage, and that it should be enjoyed within the context of a committed, monogamous relationship. In 1 Corinthians 7:2-5, the Apostle Paul writes, "Each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband...The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive each other except perhaps 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 because of your lack of self-control."

The Bible's teaching on sex and marriage should be understood within its cultural context. In ancient Jewish society, marriage was often a practical arrangement between families, and premarital sex was not uncommon. However, the Bible's emphasis on marriage and the marriage bond is not limited to cultural context. Rather, it is a universal principle that reflects God's design for human relationships. As Christians, we are called to live out this principle in our own lives, by pursuing marriage and intimacy within the context of a committed, monogamous relationship. While the Bible does not explicitly forbid premarital sex, it does provide guidance on how to live out our sexuality in a way that honors God and reflects His design for human relationships.