What does the Bible say about sexual relations before marriage?

The Bible teaches that sexual relations were designed for the context of marriage. Therefore, all sex outside the marriage covenant falls under what Scripture calls "sexual immorality" (1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3).

Paul expresses it practically: to avoid immorality, each man should have his wife and each woman her husband, implying that sexuality has a proper place: marriage (1 Corinthians 7:2). It also commands honoring marriage and keeping the marriage bed undefiled; God judges sexual immorality (Hebrews 13:4).

The biblical idea is not only to forbid, but to protect: sex unites, creates deep bonds, and is tied to the design of "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5). Therefore, abstinence before marriage is presented as part of a holy and ordered life.