Complete Bible Study Guide

What Does the Bible Say About Premarital Sex?

8 Scripture references with full text and commentary

Understanding Premarital Sex in the Bible

What does the Bible say about premarital sex? Browse 15 carefully selected verses that illuminate this biblical theme.

8
Total Verses
2
Old Testament
6
New Testament

Top 8 Verses About Premarital Sex

  1. 1
    Genesis 2:24
    Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
    KJV
  2. 2
    Exodus 22:16
    And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife.
    KJV
  3. 3
    Acts 15:20
    But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
    KJV
  4. 4
    Galatians 5:19
    Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
    KJV
  5. 5
    Ephesians 5:3
    But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
    KJV
  6. 6
    Colossians 3:5
    Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
    KJV
  7. 7
    Hebrews 13:4
    Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
    KJV
  8. 8
    Jude 1:7
    Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. strange: Gr. other
    KJV

Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Premarital Sex? (2 Verses)

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife.

New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Premarital Sex? (6 Verses)

But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. strange: Gr. other

How to Study What the Bible Says About Premarital Sex

  1. 1

    Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.

  2. 2

    Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about premarital sex. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.

  3. 3

    Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.

  4. 4

    Memorise at least one key verse about premarital sex and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.

Practical Application

Studying what the Bible says about premarital sex is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:

  • Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on premarital sex needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.

  • Share what you have learned about premarital sex with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.

  • Pray through the key verses about premarital sex, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.

How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Premarital Sex?

You have studied 8 verses about premarital sex. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about premarital sex?
What does the Bible say about premarital sex? Browse 15 carefully selected verses that illuminate this biblical theme. The Bible contains 8 key verses about premarital sex spanning both Old and New Testaments.
How many Bible verses about premarital sex are there?
There are 8 key Bible verses about premarital sex compiled in this study guide, drawn from books across both the Old and New Testaments.
What is the best verse about premarital sex?
One of the most well-known and frequently cited verses about premarital sex is Genesis 2:24 — "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."
Where in the Bible does it talk about premarital sex?
Premarital Sex is discussed throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. You can find 8 references to this topic across multiple books including the Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels, and the Epistles.

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