Biblical Answer

In this section, we will explore the biblical definition of sexual immorality. The Bible primarily refers to sexual immorality as literal sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication, prostitution, and homosexuality. However, it also uses sexual metaphors to describe idolatry and unfaithfulness to God. In Revelation 14:8, Babylon's sexual immorality is described as the "wine of the passion of her sexual immorality." This metaphor highlights the connection between sexual sin and spiritual unfaithfulness. In the Bible, sexual fidelity before marriage is presumed, and any form of sexual activity outside of marriage is considered illicit sex (Acts 15:20; 1 Cor 6:9).

The New Testament terms sexual immorality and sexually immoral (porneia, porne) assume that sexual activity outside of marriage is sin. This is evident in passages such as Acts 15:20 and 1 Corinthians 6:9, where homosexual activity is listed alongside other forms of sexual immorality. The Bible does not consider sexual sin to be a matter of indifference or a gray area. Instead, it is a serious sin that characterizes those who are not living according to God's standards (Rom. 1:26-27). In Ephesians 5:3, the Bible warns that any hint of immoral sex among holy people is unacceptable.

The Bible's definition of sexual immorality is rooted in its understanding of God's holiness and the importance of sexual fidelity. The repeated references to sexual immorality in the New Testament remind us that the Judeo-Christian restrictions on sex were always countercultural. In the Old Testament, the prohibition on sexual immorality is clear, and any form of sexual activity outside of marriage between a man and a woman is considered sin. The Bible's definition of sexual immorality is not arbitrary, but rather is rooted in God's desire for holiness and sexual purity. As believers, we are called to live according to God's standards and to avoid any form of sexual immorality.