Example of a sin being a broader category: sexual immorality
Example of a sin being a broader category: sexual immorality
Summary:
The Bible mentions often the term "SEXUAL-IMMORALITY [porneia 4202 in Greek]" (Mark 7:21, John 8:41, Acts 15:20, 1 Corinthians 6:13).
Sexual immorality is a sin (1 Corinthians 6:18).
It is also very important to know what this sin can englobe and not be deceived about this, as Paul also wrote that practicing sexual immorality can ultimately cause someone to not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
There is biblical evidence to suggest that sexual immorality is a sin which can englobe several practices, such as:
- Having a sexual intercourse with a close relative.
- Having a sexual intercourse with a prostitute.
- Having a sexual intercourse with the wife of another person.
- Having a sexual intercourse with someone of the same sex.
- Having a sexual intercourse with an animal.
- Having a sexual intercourse with someone before marriage.
- Having sexual intercourse with multiple spouses.
- Touching someone's private parts who is not one's own spouse.
- Manually stimulating one's own genitals.
There may be biblical evidence that sexual activity can be done without being immoral in the covenant of marriage between a husband and a wife, and this may include:
- Sexual intercourse with one's own spouse.
- Touching the private parts of one's own spouse.
- Having oral sexual activity with one's own spouse.
You can find more details below:
Sexual immorality is a sin:
Paul wrote: "the (one) COMMITTING-SEXUAL-IMMORALITY [porneuо́ 4203 in Greek] IS-SINNING" (1 Corinthians 6:18).
Sexual immorality is a sin, also for people in the new covenant.
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Examples of sins in the new covenant:
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Practicing sexual immorality can ultimately cause someone to not inherit the kingdom of God:
Paul wrote that people practicing sexual immorality will ultimately not inheriting the kingdom of God (if they remain in this sin).
For example Paul wrote: "the works (of) the flesh are evident, which are SEXUAL-IMMORALITY [porneia 4202 in Greek], impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousies, rages, selfish-interests, dissentions, factions, envy, drunkenness, revelries, and the (things) like these, (as to) which (things) I-tell you beforehand, just-as I-said-before, that THE (ONES) PRACTICING SUCH (THINGS) WILL NOT INHERIT (THE) KINGDOM (OF) GOD" (Galatians 5:19-21).
Another example: Paul wrote: "do-you not know that unrighteous (ones) will not inherit God’s kingdom? DO NOT BE-DECEIVED. NEITHER SEXUALLY-IMMORAL (ONES) [pornos 4205 in Greek], nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor (homo-)passive(-male-partners), nor (homosexuals-)male-bed(ers), nor thieves, nor greedy (ones), not drunkards, not revilers, not swindlers, WILL-INHERIT (THE) KINGDOM (OF) GOD" (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
To understand the significance of what it means to not inherit the kingdom of God, let us look at the gospels. In the gospels the terms for "INHERIT" and "KINGDOM" are ONLY used together IN ONE PLACE in all the four gospels, and this place is in Matthew 25 where a judgment is described, and in that judgment "the King will-say (to) the (ones) on His right (side), ‘Come, the (ones) having-been-blessed (of) My Father, INHERIT THE KINGDOM" (Matthew 25:34). This is describing those who will inherit the kingdom as a result of that judgment. But then Jesus proceeds and describes those who will not inherit the kingdom, saying: "Then He-will-say also (to) the (ones) on (the) left (side), ‘Depart from Me, the (ones) having-been-cursed, INTO THE ETERNAL FIRE" (Matthew 25:41). So here as a result of a judgment, either one will inherit the kingdom, or one will not inherit the kingdom and instead go into the eternal fire.
When Paul wrote that "SEXUALLY-IMMORAL (ONES) [pornos 4205 in Greek]" (1 Corinthians 6:9) will not inherit the kingdom of God, Paul really meant something people should "NOT BE-DECEIVED" (1 Corinthians 6:9) about.
Sexual immorality can englobe: having a sexual intercourse with a close relative:
Acts 15 & Leviticus 18:
It is written in Acts 15 "(to) the brothers from (the) Gentiles" (Acts 15:23) to be abstaining from things listed in Leviticus 17-18 in the following order: "it-seemed (good to) the Holy Spirit and (to) us to-be-laying-on you no greater burden except these essentials: (that you) be-abstaining (from) foods-sacrificed-to-idols [Leviticus 17:7], and blood [Leviticus 17:10-12], and strangled (things) [Leviticus 17:13-14], and SEXUAL-IMMORALITY [porneia 4202 in Greek] [Leviticus 18]" (Acts 15:28-29).
Here "SEXUAL-IMMORALITY [porneia 4202 in Greek]" (Acts 15:29) would refer to practices listed in Leviticus 18.
In Leviticus 18, it is written a prohibition against sexual relations with close relatives:
"None of you shall approach any one of his close relatives to uncover nakedness. I am the Lord" (Leviticus 18:6).
For example: "YOU WILL NOT UNCOVER THE NAKEDNESS OF YOUR FATHER'S WIFE; it is your father’s nakedness" (Leviticus 18:8). The nakedness of your father's wife would be the nakedness of the wife of your father.
1 Corinthians 5:
Paul wrote: "SEXUAL-IMMORALITY [porneia 4202 in Greek] is actually being-heard (of) among you, and such SEXUAL-IMMORALITY [porneia 4202 in Greek] which (is) not-even among the Gentiles, that SOMEONE HAS (THE) WIFE (OF HIS) FATHER" (1 Corinthians 5:1).
Sexual immorality can englobe: having a sexual intercourse with a prostitute:
1 Corinthians 6:
Paul wrote: "Do-you-know not that your bodies are body-parts (of) Christ? Therefore, having-taken-away the body-parts (of) Christ, shall-I-make (them) body-parts (of a) PROSTITUTE? May-it never be! Or do-you-know not that THE (ONE) JOINING (HIMSELF TO A) POSTITUTE IS ONE BODY (WITH HER)? For He-says “the two will-be into one flesh”. But the (one) joining (himself to) the Lord is one spirit (with Him). BE-FLEEING SEXUAL-IMMORALITY [porneia 4202 in Greek]" (1 Corinthians 6:15-18).
Sexual immorality can englobe: having a sexual intercourse with the wife of another person:
Acts 15 & Leviticus 18:
It is written in Acts 15 "(to) the brothers from (the) Gentiles" (Acts 15:23) to be abstaining from things listed in Leviticus 17-18 in the following order: "it-seemed (good to) the Holy Spirit and (to) us to-be-laying-on you no greater burden except these essentials: (that you) be-abstaining (from) foods-sacrificed-to-idols [Leviticus 17:7], and blood [Leviticus 17:10-12], and strangled (things) [Leviticus 17:13-14], and SEXUAL-IMMORALITY [porneia 4202 in Greek] [Leviticus 18]" (Acts 15:28-29).
Here "SEXUAL-IMMORALITY [porneia 4202 in Greek]" (Acts 15:29) would refer to practices listed in Leviticus 18.
In Leviticus 18, it is written: "you will NOT GIVE YOUR SEED OF COPULATION TO YOUR NEIGHBOR'S WIFE, to be defiled with her." (Leviticus 18:20).
1 Corinthians 7:
Paul wrote: "BECAUSE-OF SEXUAL-IMMORALITIES [porneia 4202 in Greek], let each (man) have HIS (OWN) WIFE, and let each (woman) have (HER) OWN HUSBAND" (1 Corinthians 7:2).
Paul referred here that to avoid any "SEXUAL-IMMORALITIES" (1 Corinthians 7:2), the solution here is to "let each (man) have HIS (OWN) WIFE, and let each (woman) have (HER) OWN HUSBAND" (1 Corinthians 7:2). Notice the particular mention of "HIS" own wife or her "OWN" husband, which may also be in contrast to someone else's wife or husband.
Sexual immorality can englobe: having a sexual intercourse with someone of the same sex:
Acts 15 & Leviticus 18:
It is written in Acts 15 "(to) the brothers from (the) Gentiles" (Acts 15:23) to be abstaining from things listed in Leviticus 17-18 in the following order: "it-seemed (good to) the Holy Spirit and (to) us to-be-laying-on you no greater burden except these essentials: (that you) be-abstaining (from) foods-sacrificed-to-idols [Leviticus 17:7], and blood [Leviticus 17:10-12], and strangled (things) [Leviticus 17:13-14], and SEXUAL-IMMORALITY [porneia 4202 in Greek] [Leviticus 18]" (Acts 15:28-29).
Here "SEXUAL-IMMORALITY [porneia 4202 in Greek]" (Acts 15:29) would refer to practices listed in Leviticus 18.
In Leviticus 18, it is written: "you will NOT SLEEP IN BED WITH A MALE AS WITH A WOMAN, for it is an abomination" (Leviticus 18:22).
The terms "AS WITH A WOMAN" (Leviticus 18:22) are used in the Scriptures to describe when a man lays with a woman, that is, when a man has a sexual intercourse with a woman. These terms are set in comparaison here with a man having a sexual intercourse instead with a man.
Mark 10:
Jesus recalled the order for marriage which was "from (the) beginning (of) creation" (Mark 10:6).
Jesus said about God that "He-made them MALE and FEMALE" (Mark 10:6), not male and male, or female and female.
Jesus added: "FOR THIS REASON, (A) MAN will-leave-behind his father and mother and will-be-joined to HIS WIFE" (Mark 10:7), not a man will be joined to "his husband", or a woman will be joined to "her wife", but "(A) MAN" (Mark 10:7) will be joined to "HIS WIFE" (Mark 10:7).
Jesus seemingly connected all this to people having been made "MALE and FEMALE" (Mark 10:6), and joining in marriage. A "MALE" (Mark 10:6) being a "(A) MAN" (Mark 10:7), and a "FEMALE" (Mark 10:6) being a "WIFE" (Mark 10:7).
Romans 1:
Paul described same sex intercourse, writing: "God handed them over to passions (of) dishonor. For both their FEMALES EXCHANGED THE NATURAL (SEXUAL) FUNCTION FOR THE (ONE) CONTRARY-TO NATURE, and likewise also the MALES, HAVING-LEFT THE NATURAL (SEXUAL) FUNCTION (OF) THE FEMALE, WERE-INFLAMED BY THEIR CRAVING FOR ONE-ANOTHER, MALES WITH MALES COMMITTING THE INDECENT-ACT and receiving-back in themselves the return which was-due their ERROR" (Romans 1:26-27).
Paul then added: "who, having-known the regulation (of) God that the (ones) practicing such (things) are worthy (of) death, not only are doing them, but are also GIVING-APPROVAL (to) the (ones) practicing (them)" (Romans 1:32).
Paul included here that GIVING APPROVAL to such practices was not something to do.
This is because according to "the regulation (of) God" (Romans 1:32) "the (ones) practicing such (things) are worthy (of) death" (Romans 1:32). Here the regulation of God may include what is written for example in Leviticus 20: "whoever will sleep with a male sexually as with a woman, they have both done an abomination; let them be put to death, they are guilty" (Leviticus 20:13). In the context of the new covenant, this death would refer specifically to death from sin (not biological death).
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1 Corinthians 6:
Paul wrote: "do-you not know that unrighteous (ones) will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be-deceived, [...] nor (HOMO-)PASSIVE(-MALE-PARTNERS) [malakos 3120 in Greek], nor (HOMOSEXUALS-)MALE-BED(ERS) [authenteó 733 in Greek] [...] will inherit (the) kingdom (of) God" (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
The Greek word for "(HOMOSEXUAL-)MALE-BED(ER)" [arsenokoites 733 in Greek] is composed of "MALE" [arrén 730 in Greek], and "BED" [koité 2845 in Greek].
The Greek word for "BED" [koité 2845 in Greek] is the source of the English word "coitus", which specifically refers to sexual intercourse. It thus refers to male sexual intercourse.
This word used by Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:9 may come from the two words found earlier in Leviticus 18 & 20 (from the ancient Greek manuscripts such as the Septuagint), as it is written: "you will not sleep in BED [koité 2845 in Greek] with a MALE [arrén 730 in Greek] (as with) a woman, for it is an abomination" (Leviticus 18:22) and "whoever will sleep with a MALE [arrén 730 in Greek] in BED [koité 2845 in Greek] (as with) a woman, they have both done an abomination [...] they are guilty" (Leviticus 20:13).
1 Timothy 1:
Paul wrote: "we-know that the Law (is) good if one is-using it lawfully, knowing this: that law is not laid-down (for a) righteous (one) but (for) lawless (ones) and rebellious (ones), non-worshiping (ones) and sinful (ones), unholy (ones) and profane (ones), father-thrashers and mother-thrashers, man-slayers, sexually-immoral (ones), (HOMOSEXUALS-)MALE-BED(ERS) [authenteó 733 in Greek], slave-traders, liars, perjurers, and if any other (thing) IS-CONTRARY (TO) HEALTHY TEACHING IN-ACCORDANCE-WITH THE GOOD-NEWS (of) the glory (of) the blessed God which I was-entrusted" (1 Timothy 1:8-11).
Sexual immorality can englobe: having a sexual intercourse with an animal:
Acts 15 & Leviticus 18:
It is written in Acts 15 "(to) the brothers from (the) Gentiles" (Acts 15:23) to be abstaining from things listed in Leviticus 17-18 in the following order: "it-seemed (good to) the Holy Spirit and (to) us to-be-laying-on you no greater burden except these essentials: (that you) be-abstaining (from) foods-sacrificed-to-idols [Leviticus 17:7], and blood [Leviticus 17:10-12], and strangled (things) [Leviticus 17:13-14], and SEXUAL-IMMORALITY [porneia 4202 in Greek] [Leviticus 18]" (Acts 15:28-29).
Here "SEXUAL-IMMORALITY [porneia 4202 in Greek]" (Acts 15:29) would refer to practices listed in Leviticus 18.
In Leviticus 18, it is written: "you will NOT GIVE YOUR SEX for insemination TO ANY ANIMAL, to be polluted with it; AND A WOMAN WILL NOT PRESENT HERSELF BEFORE ANY ANIMAL TO HAVE SEX WITH IT; for it is a perversion" (Leviticus 18:23).
Sexual immorality can englobe: having a sexual intercourse with someone before marriage:
Deuteronomy 22:
It is written: "if this word be true, and the tokens of VIRGINITY SHALL NOT BE FOUND FOR THE YOUNG WOMAN [...] she made folly among the sons of Israel, to defile the house of her father by INDULGING-IN-SEXUAL-IMMORALITY [ekporneuo 4202 in Greek]" (Deuteronomy 22:20-21 (LXX)).
Here if a woman said that she was a virgin, but after getting married it was found that she was not a virgin (that is, she would have lost her virginity by already having indulged in a sexual intercourse before marriage), in this passage the language that is used is that she was "INDULGING-IN-SEXUAL-IMMORALITY" (Deuteronomy 22:21 (LXX)) while she was in "the house of her father" (Deuteronomy 22:21 (LXX)) before getting married.
1 Corinthians 7:
Paul wrote: "BECAUSE-OF SEXUAL-IMMORALITIES [porneia 4202 in Greek], let each (man) have HIS (OWN) WIFE, and let each (woman) have (HER) OWN HUSBAND" (1 Corinthians 7:2).
Paul referred here that to avoid any "SEXUAL-IMMORALITIES" (1 Corinthians 7:2), the only solution here is to "let each (man) have HIS (OWN) WIFE, and let each (woman) have (HER) OWN HUSBAND" (1 Corinthians 7:2). Notice that no other solution was suggested to avoid "SEXUAL-IMMORALITIES" (1 Corinthians 7:2).
Paul wrote several verses later: "I-say (to) the UNMARRIED and the WIDOWS, (it is) good (for) them if they-remain as I-also (am). But IF THEY-ARE NOT SELF-CONTROLLED, LET-THEM-MARRY. For it-is better to-marry than to-be-burning" (1 Corinthians 7:8).
Here also the only solution for "the UNMARRIED and the WIDOWS" (1 Corinthians 7:8) "IF THEY-ARE NOT SELF-CONTROLLED" (1 Corinthians 7:8) would be to "MARRY" (1 Corinthians 7:8), as having sexual intercourse within the covenant of marriage is not considered to be sexual immorality. Notice again that no other solution than to "MARRY" (1 Corinthians 7:8) was given for "IF THEY-ARE NOT SELF-CONTROLLED" (1 Corinthians 7:8) or if they are "burning" (1 Corinthians 7:8).
Contextually a few verses earlier Paul indicated how "BECAUSE-OF SEXUAL-IMMORALITIES [porneia 4202 in Greek]" (1 Corinthians 7:2) "Let the HUSBAND give-back (to his) wife (her) DUE, and likewise also the WIFE (to her) husband" (1 Corinthians 7:3), that is, a wife and a husband should not deprive each other of sex in order for them to not be tempted to indulge in sexual immorality because of their lack of self control: "DO NOT BE-DEPRIVING one-another, except perhaps by agreement, for (a) time, in-order-that you-may-be-at-leisure (to) prayer and (then) be together again, in-order-that Satan may not tempt you because-of your LACK-OF-SELF-CONTROL" (1 Corinthians 7:5). Here Paul indicated how specifically a wife and a husband not depriving each other of sex was the solution for "LACK-OF-SELF-CONTROL" (1 Corinthians 7:5).
Note: Sexual intercourse does not make two people to be considered married:
It is not because two people had sexual intercourse with one another that they are now considered as married. There are examples in the Bible of two people having sexual intercourse and yet they were not considered as being married as a result.
Genesis 34:
It is written about "Dinah [...] And Shechem [...] saw her, and took her and LAID WITH HER, and humbled her" (Genesis 34:1-2).
Here the language of Shechem who "LAID WITH HER" (Genesis 34:2) suggests a sexual intercourse. Even though Shechem just laid with her, yet he did not consider his wife already as a result as 2 verses later "Shechem spoke to Hamor his father, saying, “TAKE FOR ME THIS YOUNG WOMAN FOR A WIFE”" (Genesis 34:4), and again 4 verses later "Hamor spoke to them, saying, “[...] PLEASE GIVE HER TO HIM FOR A WIFE" (Genesis 34:8).
So even though Shechem "LAID WITH HER" (Genesis 34:2), he did not consider her as a result to be already his wife, as he was then seeking afterward for her to become his wife.
Exodus 22:
It is written "if anyone seduces a virgin who is not betrothed, and LIES WITH HER, he will pay the bridal price, a dowry, for her to be his wife" (Exodus 22:16).
Here even though he seduces her and "LIES WITH HER" (Exodus 22:16), that is, he has a sexual intercourse with her, yet she was not considered as a result to be his wife.
Furthermore the next verse reads: "But IF HER FATHER REFUSES TO GIVE HER TO HIM FOR A WIFE, he shall pay money to her father according to the amount of the dowry of virgins" (Exodus 22:17).
Here it is even added that the father may even refuse to give her to him for her to be his wife. Even though he laid with her, she was not considered to be his wife, and this passage even highlights that she may never be his wife even though they had laid together.
Sexual immorality can englobe: having sexual intercourse with multiple spouses:
Mark 10:
Jesus recalled the order for marriage which was "from (the) beginning (of) creation" (Mark 10:6).
Jesus said that "(A) MAN" (Mark 10:7), not several men, "will-leave-behind his father and mother and will-be-joined to HIS WIFE" (Mark 10:7), not several wives.
Jesus then added that "THE TWO" (Mark 10:8), not the three or more, "will-be one flesh" (Mark 10:8).
Jesus then warned that "Whoever sends-away his wife AND MARRIES ANOTHER IS-COMMITTING-ADULTERY AGAINST HER" (Mark 10:12).
If being married to more than one spouse simultaneously, and as a result having sexual intercourse with all the spouses was allowed by Christ, then marrying another (and as a result having a sexual intercourse with that other spouse) would NEVER in principle be COMMITTING ADULTERY against the first spouse.
Committing adultery is having a sexual intercourse with ANOTHER person than one's own spouse. Christ said that someone who "MARRIES ANOTHER" (Mark 10:11) than his wife "IS-COMMITTING-ADULTERY AGAINST HER" (Mark 10:11) specifically. The man is specifically committing adultery "AGAINST HER" (Mark 10:11), that is, against "his wife" (Mark 10:11), yet the man is committing adultery by having a sexual intercourse with another person... whom he MARRIED! If marrying multiple people was allowed by Christ, and as a result having sexual intercourse with all of them, then doing so would not entail committing adultery against any of them. But on the contrary if only "THE TWO will-be one flesh" (Mark 10:8), then marrying another and having a sexual intercourse with that other person whom one married would be committing adultery against the first spouse, as that new spouse added would not be lawful in the eyes of Christ.
This principle would not only apply to men having multiple wives, but also to women having multiple husbands, as Christ then also added: "And if SHE, having-sent-away her husband, MARRIES ANOTHER, SHE-IS-COMITTING-ADULTERY”." (Mark 10:12).
1 Corinthians 7:
Paul wrote: "BECAUSE-OF SEXUAL-IMMORALITIES [porneia 4202 in Greek], let each (man) have HIS (OWN) WIFE, and let each (woman) have (HER) OWN HUSBAND" (1 Corinthians 7:2).
Paul referred here that to avoid any "SEXUAL-IMMORALITIES" (1 Corinthians 7:2), the only solution here is to "let each (man) have HIS (OWN) WIFE, and let each (woman) have (HER) OWN HUSBAND" (1 Corinthians 7:2). Notice that Paul did not write for a man to have his own wife OR WIVES [plural], or for a woman to have her own husband OR HUSBANDS [plural], but the only solution to avoid any "SEXUAL-IMMORALITIES" (1 Corinthians 7:2) is to "let each (man) have HIS (OWN) WIFE [singular], and let each (woman) have (HER) OWN HUSBAND [singular]" (1 Corinthians 7:2).
What about people before the time of Christ having multiple spouses?:
Several people before the time of Christ had multiple wives. This would not mean that this permission would apply in Christ, as the new covenant brought THE LAW OF CHRIST.
Paul wrote of "NOT being myself UNDER (THE) LAW" (1 Corinthians 9:20) that has to do with "THE JEWS" (1 Corinthians 9:20). Yet Paul said that he was "not being without(-the)-Law (of) God, but within(-THE)-LAW (OF) CHRIST" (1 Corinthians 9:21) in the new covenant.
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For example, Pharisees said to Jesus something that "MOSES permitted" (Mark 10:4) concerning marriage, to which Jesus answered: "He [Moses] wrote this commandment (to) you because-of your hardness-of-heart. BUT FROM (THE) BEGINNING (OF) CREATION, ‘He-made them male and female’." (Mark 10:6) "And THE TWO will-be one flesh’. So then, they-are no-longer TWO, but one flesh" (Mark 10:8).
Here THE LAW OF MOSES is contrasted with THE LAW OF CHRIST, reaching back to beginning.
Sexual immorality can englobe: touching someone's private parts who is not one's own spouse:
The private parts of a woman can include: breasts, behind (buttocks), front (genitals).
The private parts of a man can include: behind (buttocks), front (genitals).
1 Corinthians 7:
Paul wrote: "(It is) good (for A) MAN NOT TO-TOUCH (A) WOMAN. BUT BECAUSE-OF SEXUAL-IMMORALITIES [porneia 4202 in Greek], let each (man) have HIS (OWN) WIFE, and let each (woman) have (HER) OWN HUSBAND" (1 Corinthians 7:2).
Here Paul may suggest that "SEXUAL-IMMORALITIES [porneia 4202 in Greek]" (1 Corinthians 7:2) could englobe a man who is "TO-TOUCH (A) WOMAN" (1 Corinthians 7:2) who would not be "HIS (OWN) WIFE" (1 Corinthians 7:2), and the same could apply to a woman touching a man who would not be "(HER) OWN HUSBAND" (1 Corinthians 7:2).
Sexual immorality can englobe: manually stimulating one's own genitals:
Matthew 5:
Jesus said: "everyone looking(-at a) woman so-as TO-DESIRE her already committed-adultery (with) her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28) and then "IF YOUR RIGHT HAND IS-CAUSING YOU TO-FALL, cut it off and throw (it) from you. For it-is-better (for) you that one (of) your body-parts perish and your whole body not go into Gehenna" (Matthew 5:30).
It is possible here that the practice of using the "HAND" (Matthew 5:30) in order to fulfill a "DESIRE" (Matthew 5:28) such as the kind of desire someone can have for a "woman" (Matthew 5:28) to have "committed-adultery (with) her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28), that is, a sexual desire, would be "TO-FALL" (Matthew 5:30).
1 Corinthians 7:
Paul indicated how "BECAUSE-OF SEXUAL-IMMORALITIES [porneia 4202 in Greek]" (1 Corinthians 7:2) "Let the HUSBAND give-back (to his) wife (her) DUE, and likewise also the WIFE (to her) husband" (1 Corinthians 7:3), that is, a wife and a husband should not deprive each other of sex in order for them to not be tempted to indulge in sexual immorality because of their lack of self control: "DO NOT BE-DEPRIVING one-another, except perhaps by agreement, for (a) time, in-order-that you-may-be-at-leisure (to) prayer and (then) be together again, in-order-that Satan may not tempt you because-of your LACK-OF-SELF-CONTROL" (1 Corinthians 7:5).
Here Paul showed that a wife and a husband not depriving each other of sex was the solution for their lack of self control. Notice that no other solution (such as manually stimulating one's own genitals alone) was given even within marriage for their "LACK-OF-SELF-CONTROL" (1 Corinthians 7:5).
2 Peter 2:
Peter wrote of people "bringing-upon themselves swift destruction" (2 Peter 2:3) who are "(ones) proceeding after (the) flesh in (a) LUST (for) defilement, and despising authority. Daring, SELF-PLEASURE(-SEEKING) (ONES)" (2 Peter 2:10).
Peter indicated that these people were "SELF-PLEASURE(-SEEKING) (ONES)" (2 Peter 2:10). The Greek word for "SELF-PLEASURE(-SEEKING)" [authadés 829 in Greek, adjective] comes from "self/his/her" [autos 846 in Greek, personal pronoun] and the base of "pleasure" [hédoné 2237 in Greek, noun]. These people who are "SELF-PLEASURE(-SEEKING) (ONES)" (2 Peter 2:10) are proceeding "after (the) flesh in (a) LUST" (2 Peter 2:10).
Peter quoted 12 verses later a "proverb" (2 Peter 2:22) from the book of Proverbs. The book of Proverbs also refers to people who are "SELF-PLEASURE(-SEEKING) (ones) [authadés 829 in Greek]" (2 Peter 2:10) and are "proceeding after (the) flesh in (a) LUST [epithumia 1939 in Greek] (for) defilement" (2 Peter 2:10), as it is written in the Proverbs 21: "A bold and SELF-PLEASURE(-SEEKING) [authadés 829 in Greek] and boastful person is called a pest. LUSTS [epithumia 1939 in Greek] kill a lazy person, FOR HIS HANDS do not choose to be doing anything" (Proverbs 21:24-25 (LXX)). Notice how in this proverb a person can be described as "SELF-PLEASURE(-SEEKING)" (Proverbs 21:24 (LXX)) and "lazy" (Proverbs 21:25 (LXX)), so instead of working with his hands, a person may indulge in his own "LUSTS [epithumia 1939 in Greek]" (Proverbs 21:25 (LXX)) with "HIS HANDS" (Proverbs 21:25 (LXX)).
Sexual activity which is not immoral: sexual intercourse with one's own spouse:
Matthew 19:
Jesus said that "(A) MAN will-leave-behind (his) father and (his) mother and will-be-joined (to) HIS WIFE. And THE TWO WILL-BE ONE FLESH’" (Matthew 19:5).
Here "(A) MAN" (Matthew 19:5) and "HIS WIFE" (Matthew 19:5) can become "ONE FLESH’" (Matthew 19:5).
The expression for becoming "ONE FLESH’" (Matthew 19:5) can be used to describe a sexual intercourse between a man and a woman. Paul for example said that people may become one flesh with a prostitute (that is, having a sexual intercourse with a prostitute), which would be sexual immorality, as Paul wrote: "Do-you-know not that your bodies are body-parts (of) Christ? Therefore, having-taken-away the body-parts (of) Christ, shall-I-make (them) body-parts (of a) PROSTITUTE? May-it never be! Or do-you-know not that THE (ONE) JOINING (HIMSELF TO A) POSTITUTE IS ONE BODY (WITH HER)? FOR HE-SAYS “THE TWO WILL-BE ONE FLESH”. But the (one) joining (himself to) the Lord is one spirit (with Him). BE-FLEEING SEXUAL-IMMORALITY [porneia 4202 in Greek]" (1 Corinthians 6:15-18).
1 Corinthians 7:
Paul wrote: "BECAUSE-OF SEXUAL-IMMORALITIES [porneia 4202 in Greek], let each (man) have HIS (OWN) WIFE, and let each (woman) have (HER) OWN HUSBAND. "Let the HUSBAND give-back (to his) wife (her) DUE, and likewise also the WIFE (to her) husband" (1 Corinthians 7:2-3).
Here Paul indicated that to avoid "SEXUAL-IMMORALITIES" (1 Corinthians 7:2), someone can have "HIS (OWN) WIFE" (1 Corinthians 7:2) or "(HER) OWN HUSBAND" (1 Corinthians 7:2), and have a sexual intercourse with such, as is their "DUE" (1 Corinthians 7:3).
Paul then added 2 verses later: "DO NOT BE-DEPRIVING ONE-ANOTHER" (1 Corinthians 7:5), encouraging such an act within the confine of a marriage between a man and his wife.
Sexual activity which is not immoral: touching the private parts of one's own spouse:
Proverbs 5:
It is written: "may you rejoice in the WIFE of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer, MAY HER BREASTS SATISFY YOU ALWAYS" (Proverbs 5:18-19).
Here it may be suggested that a man can be satisfied with the breasts of his wife always, suggesting that he may also touch them in order to be satisfied with them.
1 Corinthians 7:
Paul wrote: "(It is) good (for A) MAN NOT TO-TOUCH (A) WOMAN. BUT BECAUSE-OF SEXUAL-IMMORALITIES [porneia 4202 in Greek], let each (man) have HIS (OWN) WIFE, and let each (woman) have (HER) OWN HUSBAND" (1 Corinthians 7:2).
Here Paul may suggest that to avoid "SEXUAL-IMMORALITIES [porneia 4202 in Greek]" (1 Corinthians 7:2), a man who is "TO-TOUCH (A) WOMAN" (1 Corinthians 7:2) would have to only do so to "HIS (OWN) WIFE" (1 Corinthians 7:2), and the same would apply to a woman touching a man who would have to only do so to "(HER) OWN HUSBAND" (1 Corinthians 7:2).
Sexual activity which is not immoral: Having oral sexual activity with one's own spouse:
Songs of Solomon 2:
It is written: "As an apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and HIS FRUIT WAS SWEET TO MY TASTE" (Song of Solomon 2:3).
It is possible that "HIS FRUIT WAS SWEET TO MY TASTE" (Song of Solomon 2:3) may be suggested as a veiled reference to oral sex performed on the man.
Songs of Solomon 4:
It is written: "Awake, O north wind; and come, south wind; blow upon my GARDEN, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and EAT HIS PLESANT FRUITS" (Song of Solomon 4:16).
The "GARDEN" (Song of Solomon 4:16) can be a common biblical metaphor for a woman's sexuality.
The invitation to "EAT HIS PLESANT FRUITS" (Song of Solomon 4:16) can be seen as a poetic allusion to oral sex performed on the woman.
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