...before someone tries to
stone him..., show me where in the bible it
specifically is speaking of, and uses the phrase 'sex before marriage'...
...for the sake of accuracy - The word 'fornication' is a loose English word used to translate about 4 words in greek, the major and most primary offending one is 'pornos', which means 'male prostitute' ie: in roman/greek times, young men would sell themselves to other men.
The other English word used for pornos is 'whoremonger' in Eph 5:5, 1 Cor 6:9 (strongs G4205) KJV; 'immoral' in the NASB, and 'sexually immoral' in some other translations, but these are very loose word for meaning translations put there by translators that do not convey the true pinpoint context and meaning of the word in the text; and in actual fact the reference is to 'male prostitutes.
The other reference is to the female version of a prostitute, and another is in an incestual etc... context and usually related to idolatory(strongs G4202); act the harlot and in an idolatory context (strongs G4203) and to be utterly unchaste (strongs G1068) ie: the orgies which would have involved homo-etc... relations in rome etc...Similar contexts are in Hebrew...with little variation..., mostly in the context of 'idolatory...
1 Cor 6:9 in addition to mentioning 'pornos' it mentions 'malakos' translated as 'effeminate' KJV. Strongs G3120 refers to that as a 'catamite'...ie: young boys who had relations with older men.
These are the ONLY references in Greek to 'fornication'..., the major one being 'pornos'..., not 'sex before marriage' as some think, ...in fact - it is not even mentioned in the bible - the ideal is presented as marriage - and other instances occurred in the bible also, but the facts are that the worst form of offence in this area relating to the word 'fornication' is to have 'gay relations' according to the bible..., and in fact 'idolatory'...
...so, its up to the individual to read the bible and be convicted -as it reads and as Truth guides and reveals accordingly ---
...but to make a blanket statement about 'sex before marriage' as though it is a direct quote from the bible in so many words is
not accurate - because it is just not there... , the most that can be quoted that remotely comes close is from the Greek 'not to play the harlot' ... , but keep in mind in those days, the Romans and Greeks had mass orgies and slept around very loosely...
...I believe in the marriage model and ideal ... and that it should be pursued and aspired to; that is what binds society together after God --- however its between a person and God, when matters of the heart are involved, as no-one really IMO is capable of being judge of that...
...one must determine via their conscience and understanding of the Word in Truth of what it means to be chaste and chaste before God, and ask for direction on how to go about that, and also for Him to supply ones needs in all areas in the most correct and complete and appropriate manner...
...another point someone mentioned is that 2 become one 'flesh'...., yes....when there are intimate interactions there is a 'soul-bonding' that occurs, and it starts from the primal extending to the soul-heart level, depending on the depth of attraction --- The big difference is that when, a person gets married via the Spirit of God, His Spirit becomes part of that marriage --- and the connection becomes 'much more' than just a 'soul-body' connection --- which is why one must take care when marrying to ensure it is the right person --- as once they do it, its very hard to break free - for God hates divorce; and feels it when there is that discord and seperation ie:
Mal 2:16 "For I hate divorce," says the LORD, the God of Israel, "and him who covers his garment with wrong," says the LORD of hosts. "So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously."
...yet the Patriarchs of the Old Testament were not only allowed and practised having more than one wife, which was not biblically adultery ..., b
ut also to have concubines ie:
Definition of
CONCUBINE: a woman with whom a man cohabits without being married: as
a : one having a recognized social status in a household below that of a wife
b : mistress 4a
Concubine - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Keep in mind that Hagar was NOT Abrahams 2nd wife,
but was only acting as his concubine. Keturah was his other 2nd wife, with whom he was happy with...
...so --- the context of the Old Testament needs to be understood together with the New Testament --- in sync. with the times and what actually was occurring on social levels at the time...
ONE other point I feel important to make. I have been to some Christian mens groups run by churches, and it astounds me how many husbands are starving for intimacy and are being denied this by their wives, some of whom hold them at ransom in this regard, making them look like beggars - begging for crumbs of intimacy from them... which 'totally shocked me'....
...after having the unfortunate experience of hearing this from most of the men there, I believe it should be incorporated into the marriage vow; that 'both parties will not deny each other intimacy nor love by the time the sun sets down, nor try to use it as a weapon against the other person'...
...so there...