Does the Bible say anything about sex before marriage?

TL;DR:

Sex was given as a beautiful gift for a husband and wife to enjoy within marriage. God created sex with great purposes to create life and bond together a husband and wife. Waiting to enjoy sex at the right time and in the right way is worth it.

what does the bible say?

God created sex as a beautiful gift for a husband and wife to enjoy within marriage. His purpose for this gift was to provide His creation with a human experience that would represent His spiritual relationship with them. Ephesians 5:31–32, quoting from Genesis 2:24, explains, "'Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church." The image of marriage points to God’s relationship with His people. It is also the building block of society. Thus God takes marriage, and sex, very seriously (1 Corinthians 6:15–20; Hebrews 13:4).

Sex is God’s established means of procreation for humanity to “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28; cf. Genesis 9:2). But sex is not merely a means to an end, and children are not merely earth fillers. Sex is the way in which new humans—who bear the image of God (Genesis 1:27)—are conceived and formed in the womb (Psalm 139). This fact alone makes sex meaningful. But sex is not only about procreation; it is intended for married couples for a variety of reasons beyond producing offspring.

Sex is a unique form of intimacy and knowing that points to the deep knowing and intimacy God’s people have with Him. The context of a one-man-one-woman covenantal marriage is intended as a protected space for this deep level of vulnerability and trust. Fully committed, husband and wife are free to give of themselves to one another—not for self-fulfillment, but for the benefit of the other. When both are giving in this way, they both experience agape love and the joys of being giver and receiver. With Christ, we can be fully known and vulnerable because His promise to us is unbreakable. He is the ultimate display of self-sacrificial love, giving Himself fully so that we might have relationship with God (Philippians 2:1–11; Hebrews 12:1–2). In addition, husband and wife bring one another pleasure as they give of themselves in sex. This is a good gift from God for which to be grateful.

As stated, all of this is designed for one man and one woman in the covenant of marriage. Outside the boundaries of marriage, sex is a sin. This includes sex before marriage.

from the old testament

The Old Testament addresses sex before marriage and its consequences. Exodus 22:16–17 and Deuteronomy 22:13–21 emphasize the seriousness of premarital sex, requiring marriage or restitution in certain cases.
Leviticus 18 and 20 outline laws condemning various forms of sexual immorality and highlight the importance of purity and holiness in relationships.

from the new testament

Ephesians 5:31–32 quotes Genesis 2:24 and explains, "'Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church."
First Corinthians 7:2 states, "But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband." Sex outside of marriage, including premarital sex, is described as sexual immorality.
Throughout the Bible sexual immorality is denounced as a sin and refers to situations in which sex is used in a way other than how God intended it to be used (1 Corinthians 6:13, 18; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Jude 1:7).
First Corinthians 6:18–20 tells us, "Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."

implications for today

God gave men and women the gift of sex within the boundaries of marriage (Genesis 1:28). Sex outside of marriage is disobedience to God and goes against God’s best for us. The world will tell you that it is okay to have sex before marriage because sex is just about the physical pleasure. However, God created sex with the far greater purpose of creating life and a special bond between a husband and wife that symbolizes our relationship with Him. Besides being disobedience against God and a misuse of the gift He created, premarital sex can have many negative consequences. It can lead to unplanned pregnancies. It can lead to dilemmas like trying to figure out what to do with the unplanned child that came as a result of one’s unrestrained passions.

When children are born outside of the family unit God created, they will face more dysfunction and hardship than children born into a family with two parents who are committed to one another. Sex outside of marriage often increases a person's number of sexual partners because there is a lack of commitment to one person. This also increases the likelihood a person will contract a sexually transmitted infection, which could lead to serious health problems and even an early death.

There are emotional consequences to premarital sex, as well. When two people have sex they make a unique physical connection. If that connection is lost, it leads to painful emotional baggage and broken relationships. This can cause a lack of trust and intimacy in future relationships, including a future marriage. While waiting to have sex before marriage does not guarantee a perfect sex life or marriage, it gives people the highest chance of success in enjoying the blessing and joy that come with following God’s plan and purposes. It eliminates elements that could destroy it, and it gives the husband and wife the opportunity to build and grow in their sex life without any comparisons or baggage. Don't let the world pollute God's purpose for sex in your life. Wait on God and the wonderful gift He has in store for you.

understand

Sex is a beautiful gift designed by God to be enjoyed within the boundaries of marriage.
The Bible clearly condemns sexual immorality, including premarital sex, and instructs believers to honor God by fleeing from it.
Premarital sex goes against God’s intended purpose and often results in negative physical, emotional, and spiritual consequences.

reflect

How does understanding God’s design for sex impact your perspective on sex?
How could premarital sex influence your relationship with God and others?
How can you strengthen your commitment to following God’s plan for purity in your life?

engage

How do cultural views on sex differ from the Bible’s teachings, and how should believers respond to these differences?
What are the potential long-term consequences—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—of ignoring God’s guidance on sexual purity?
How can the church support individuals in understanding and following biblical teachings about sex and marriage in a compelling way?