Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. This verse affirms marriage's sanctity and sexual purity while warning against sexual immorality. 'Marriage is honourable in all' (timios ho gamos en pasin, τίμιος ὁ γάμος ἐν πᾶσιν) declares marriage universally honorable—for all people, in all cultures, at all times. 'The bed undefiled' (kai hē koitē amiantos) specifically affirms that sexual intimacy within marriage is pure, holy, and God-honoring.
The contrast with 'whoremongers and adulterers' (pornous kai moichous, πόρνους καὶ μοιχούς) distinguishes legitimate from illegitimate sexuality. Sexual expression belongs exclusively within marriage covenant; all other sexual activity constitutes sin. 'God will judge' (krinei ho theos, κρινεῖ ὁ θεός) promises divine judgment on sexual immorality, whether seemingly unpunished in this life.
This challenges modern culture's sexual libertinism and also historical heresies that denigrated marriage and sexuality (Gnosticism, some monasticism). God designed sexuality for marriage; within that covenant it's pure and good; outside it, it's sin deserving judgment. Reformed theology affirms both celibacy and marriage as honorable callings but rejects sexual activity outside marriage as rebellion against Creator's design. The warning about judgment should motivate both personal purity and church discipline regarding sexual sin.
Historical Context
Greco-Roman culture featured widespread sexual immorality—prostitution, adultery, homosexuality, and sexual slavery were common. Mystery religions incorporated sexual acts into worship. Greek philosophy sometimes viewed physical realm, including sexuality, as inferior to spiritual. Some early heresies (Gnosticism) taught that either
physical acts didn't matter spiritually, permitting licentiousness, or
material realm was evil, requiring asceticism including rejecting marriage.
Against both errors, Hebrews affirms marriage as honorable and marital sexuality as undefiled while condemning all extramarital sexual activity. Paul similarly defended marriage against false asceticism (1 Timothy 4:3) while condemning sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18-20). Early church needed clear sexual ethics amid pagan culture's promiscuity.
Questions for Reflection
How does this verse challenge both culture's sexual libertinism and false asceticism that denigrates marital sexuality?
What practical steps are you taking to honor marriage and maintain sexual purity in thought and action?
How should the warning of God's judgment on sexual immorality affect your personal holiness and church discipline?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. This verse affirms marriage's sanctity and sexual purity while warning against sexual immorality. 'Marriage is honourable in all' (timios ho gamos en pasin, τίμιος ὁ γάμος ἐν πᾶσιν) declares marriage universally honorable—for all people, in all cultures, at all times. 'The bed undefiled' (kai hē koitē amiantos) specifically affirms that sexual intimacy within marriage is pure, holy, and God-honoring.
The contrast with 'whoremongers and adulterers' (pornous kai moichous, πόρνους καὶ μοιχούς) distinguishes legitimate from illegitimate sexuality. Sexual expression belongs exclusively within marriage covenant; all other sexual activity constitutes sin. 'God will judge' (krinei ho theos, κρινεῖ ὁ θεός) promises divine judgment on sexual immorality, whether seemingly unpunished in this life.
This challenges modern culture's sexual libertinism and also historical heresies that denigrated marriage and sexuality (Gnosticism, some monasticism). God designed sexuality for marriage; within that covenant it's pure and good; outside it, it's sin deserving judgment. Reformed theology affirms both celibacy and marriage as honorable callings but rejects sexual activity outside marriage as rebellion against Creator's design. The warning about judgment should motivate both personal purity and church discipline regarding sexual sin.