KIU Journal of Humanities

KIU Journal of Humanities Copyright©2018 Kampala International University ISSN: 2415-0843; 3(2): 143–151

Sanctity of Sexuality within : An Exegetical Study of Hebrews 13:4

MICHAEL OYEBOWALE OYETADE University of Ilorin, Nigeria

Abstract. The study provided an exegetical Keywords: marriage, sanctity, fornicators and study of Hebrews 13:4 as a premise for the adulterers examination of sanctity of marriage in the contemporary church in Nigeria. The objectives 1. Introduction of this paper were to re-examine the prevalence of sexual perversion within marriage in the Marriage is a gift from God for the blessing of church. Again, the work attempts an exegetical men, women and children and for the good of study of Hebrews 13:4 for clear understanding society. However, in today‘s society, the honour of the meaning, application and implications of and sanctity of marriage is under constant attack. terminologies related to sanctity of marriage. is acceptable and made easy through Furthermore, this paper explores views of ―no-fault‖ laws. Adultery is considered normal Biblical Scholars on Hebrews 13:4, because it is and faithfulness to one‘s spouse is deemed of central importance in this paper. unrealistic. Among religious and political Methodologies adopted were exegetical, leaders, many say that the standard against historical and sociological. The exegetical sexual immorality is antiquated. Even in the method facilitated a comprehensive examination church, sexual immorality is a major problem of the content and context of the text under evidenced by the high number of divorce among consideration to enhance precise interpretation. Christians and the frequent reports of sexual The historical method aided the reconstruction failings among preachers, elders, and other of the place of marriage in the church, while the Christians. Nigerian culture today is not much sociological method was imperative for different from the Jew‘s society of the first understanding the implications of sanctity of century where divorce and remarriage was marriage for members of the church and the rampant (Grey-Gerou, 2012:45). Fornication society .The major findings were that: marriage was acceptable and adultery was barely frowned is a gift from God for the blessing of men, upon. But Christianity offers a true contrast of women and children and for the good of society. standards regarding morality through clear and However, in today‘s society, the honour and unequivocal teaching. The Bible presents sex as sanctity of marriage is under constant attack. In a legitimate joy in the present world if it is used the church, sexual immorality is a major rightly. problem evidenced by the high number of among Christians and the frequent People today are hopelessly confused about their reports of sexual failings among preachers, sexuality. Some regard the word "love" to means elders, and other Christians. In conclusion, those nothing more than having a tumble in some bed. who fail to honour marriage and maintain Many look upon an affair as a badge of honour. marital purity will come under the judgment of All the old foundations of permanence and God. fidelity seem to have eroded away. Bewildered

143

KIU Journal of Humanities by the modern confusion, many sincere people (Kinetz, 1984:45). The contemporary world has today struggle to define their own sexuality. other standards, but God will judge the immoral Within the last twenty years our culture has and adulterous. While such sanctions may carry undergone some very drastic changes, in the weight only among those who recognize God‘s area of sex, for instance, the concept and sovereignty over them, the day is coming when understanding of "safe sex" has changed. Within that sovereignty will be recognized by all the public consciousness, it used to be that the (Arteburn & Stocker,1984:35). only "safe sex" was sex within the confines of marriage. In the late sixties and early seventies, 2. Exegesis of Hebrews13:4 with the advent of the birth control pill, "safe sex" was understood as sex without . 2.1 Marriage ( Today, "safe sex" is sex without the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) virus. The Marriage, describes a public ceremony in crying need today is for people of faith to live which a man and a woman entered into a marital rightly and faithfully, as God's children, in their relationship and so speaks of a wedding or use of sex (Daniels, 1984). This is the reason wedding feast (Jn. 2:1). Here in Hebrews 13:45 that Hebrews 13 verse 4 is carefully examined in describes the actual state of being this paper. married. Eschatologically, refers to the wedding ceremony of the Bridegroom, Christ, 1.1 Introduction to Hebrews 13 with His Bride, the Church, at the outset of the The home is the first place where Christian love Messianic millennial (Vine)6 Kingdom (Rev. 19: should be practiced. A Christian home begins 7, 9). By metonymy is used for wedding with a Christian marriage in the will of God. hall, the place where the wedding takes place This means loyalty and purity. In Hebrews 13 (Mt. 22: 10) (Tenney, 1978:624). the author, who is anonymous begins to conclude the letter with some general Marriage is vitally important in Judaism. exhortations and instructions. He addresses Refraining from marriage is not considered holy, marriage as a matter of practical importance. as some may think. On the contrary, it is The Jewish society of his day demanded considered unnatural. The Talmud says that an instruction on marriage. Even among the Jews, unmarried man is constantly thinking of sin. The at least among those who followed the teaching Talmud also tells of a rabbi who was introduced of Hillel, there was little regard for marriage as to a young unmarried rabbi. The older rabbi told God had instituted it and as Christ had taught. the younger one not to come into his presence Among the pagans immorality was widespread. again until he was married.8 Unfortunately, the society in which we now live Marriage is a covenant between one man and has adopted the same lax attitude toward the one woman and between the participants and sanctity of marriage. No-fault divorce is God (Mal. 2:14-16). It is therefore more than a rampant. Single parent homes are far too temporary agreement of convenience, a contract common and the children are suffering for it. or a well-intentioned promise. As a binding relationship established by promises, the The book of Hebrew recognizes the need for marriage covenant is solemnly sealed by a clear and specific instruction regarding society‘s ceremony witnessed by family and friends and attitude toward marriage which must be held in sometimes regulated by the state. When a honour among all and the marriage bed must be believer marries, it is God's will that he or she undefiled, that is, there must be no fornication or should be united only with another believer (2 adultery before marriage. While many reasons Cor. 6:14). Because God has created and could have been advanced for maintaining the instituted marriage as a lifelong covenant sanctity of marriage, the writer goes straight to (Mt 22:23-30) and because the marriage the heart of the matter by saying that those who covenant is to reflect the strength of God's fail to honour marriage and maintain marital covenant love for His people (Hos. 3:1), any purity will come under the judgment of God variation from His ordained decree is harmful to

144

KIU Journal of Humanities the participants and in violation of God's nor has it been since, except where true mandates for all people (Mk. 10:11-12) Christianity has been held sway (Gilley, 2012). (Daniels, 2012). It brings to mind not only ―honourable estate of Marriage is not solely, or even primarily, for the marriage‖ but also the cost of making it work. purpose of procreation. Traditional sources Marriage, like any other covenant relationship, recognize that companionship, love and is not cheap; it ―takes a heap of doing!‖ intimacy are the primary purposes of marriage, Nevertheless, it is built into the very core of the noting that woman was created in Gen. 2:18 human psyche, and the very costliness of it because "it is not good for man to be alone," makes it both frightening and difficult, but also rather than because she was necessary for tremendously rewarding. Marriage is procreation. costly because of the intimacy it demands in time, in communication, sharing dreams and 2.2 Marriage Is Honourable in All ( agendas, pain and struggles, physical tenderness ι) and verbal expression. It cost our privacy, our self-centered scheduling, secrecy of musing, and Marriage is to be held in honour among all our individualistic economics. The covenant of - The words "is to be marriage demands forgiveness so complete that held" are added to make the reading more fluid. the forgiver forgets and embraces again without More literally this reads "honourable the any reservation. Yes, marriage is costly marriage in all". Honour has 13 uses in (Stedman, 2012). the NT and 33 uses in the Septuagint. The same word means precious or honourable which is the According to Richard S. Taylor, there were first word in the Greek for emphasis. is many who held a low view of marriage. The used in Act. 5:34; 20:24; 1Co. 3:12 where Paul ascetics despised marriage, advocating celibacy speaks of works that endure eternally for they or castration in preferences to connubial are built upon or with "gold, silver and precious relationship. Marriage is looked on by some as stones". It is used in 1Pet. 1:19 in reference to an antiquated institution that inhibits the full the "precious blood" of Jesus. It's used in 2 Pet. development of self. The marriage vows are 1:4 to refer to the "precious and very great viewed as just words and the marriage certificate promises" of God. In other words, marriage is to as just a piece of paper. The post-apostolic be seen as something most precious, as fathers despised marriage and the medieval something to be valued highly and must handle church dishonoured marriage, but the text says carefully. This further explains the high and holy marriage should be honoured by all (Taylor, value God Himself places on the institution of 1967: 171). Therefore, asceticism is not marriage. superior to marriage, and marriage is not The verb literally speaks of things which defiling rather, asceticism often leads to are costly, precious or valuable (Rev. 17: 4) or defilement. We also must note that Christ‘s of persons who are "precious" and thus are relation to the church is illustrated, not by highly regarded, esteemed or honoured (Act. 5 asceticism, but by the state of marriage. :34; 17 :34). describes that which Therefore, to dishonour marriage is to sin possesses exceptional value (costly, of great against God who instituted it. worth). was used to refer to precious metals and stones. According to Gary Gilley, Again Albert Barnes further adds that marriage means, ―held as of great price, esteemed, is not to be undervalued by the pretence of the especially dear.‖ A suggested literal translation superior purity of a state of celibacy, as if of Heb. 13: 4a is, ―Let marriage be precious to marriage were improper for any class of people all of you.‖ Marriage being in held honour, or any condition of life; and it should not be marriage being seen as precious, was not a trait dishonoured by any violation of the marriage in the New Testament era among secular people, contract. There has been a constant effort made to show that celibacy was a more holy state; that

145

KIU Journal of Humanities there was something in marriage that rendered it relationship outside of marriage is a sin against "dishonourable" for those who are in the God, against one‘s future spouses, and against ministry, and for those of either sex who would oneself. According to Peter Green, when the be eminently pure. This sentiment has been the author of Hebrews told his readers to keep the cause of more abomination in the world than any marriage bed undefiled he was using the word other single opinion claiming to have a religious "bed" as a euphemism for sexual sanction. It is one of the supports on which the intercourse (Green, 1990: 45). Papal system rests, and has been one of the principal upholders of all the corruptions in Barclay writes that literally means a bed monasteries and nunneries. The apostle Paul and has in it the meaning of the desire for the asserts, that marriage is honourable in all; and forbidden bed. The word brings to mind the this proves that it is lawful for the ministers of man who sets no value on fidelity and who takes religion to marry, and that the whole doctrine of his pleasure when and where he will. , the superior purity of a state of celibacy is false ―intercourse, bed‖, has a root meaning of (Barnes, 2012). ―having in common‖, and in this circumstance implies the deepest sort of sharing or According to Adam Clarke ―Marriage is commonality, that of bonding. The one flesh in honourable in all‖, this may have been said marriage is not just a physical phenomenon, but against the opinions of the Essenes, who held a uniting of the totality of two personalities. In marriage in little repute, and totally abstained marriage we are one flesh spiritually by vow, from it themselves as a state of comparative economically by sharing, logistically by imperfection. At the same time it shows the adjusting time and agreeing on the disbursement absurdity of the popish tenet, that marriage in of all life‘s resources, experimentally by the clergy is both dishonourable and sinful; trudging through the dark valleys and standing which is, in fact, in opposition to the apostle, victoriously on the peaks of success, and who says marriage is honourable in All; and to sexually by the bonding of our bodies. In the institution of God, which evidently designed intercourse, which is the expression created that every male and female should be united in uniquely for marriage, the male and female fiber this holy bond; and to nature, which in every intertwine in complementation, creating a living part of the habitable world has produced men fabric that cannot be undone without serious and women in due proportion to each other damage to the living fibers. When that happens, (Clarke, 2012). they are left scared and therefore lacking in suppleness, circulation, sensitivity, or strength. 2.3 The Bed Undefiled ( ·) Scar tissue is not good tissues. Let be undefiled and untainted, undefiled and beautiful The second imperative in Hebrews 13:4 is that as God designed it (Barclay, 2011: 45). the marriage bed is to be kept unstained, pure, undefiled. ·. Sex is God‘s In marriage, sexual relations are an ongoing creation, and all that God has created is good. obligation of each spouse. So Paul exhorts The Bible teaches us that sex is to be enjoyed married people not to defraud each other. within marriage only. Virgins are to marry and Having entered into a covenant of marriage, we enjoy sexual relations in the covenant of must be diligent to pay up our debts (1 Cor. 7). marriage. Our bodies belong to God and we are Failure to do this may bring about sexual to use them for God‘s purposes. Both single and immorality. Yet there have been people in the married people are to take care of their bodies, history of Christianity who taught that married for our bodies are a trust from God to us. As couples should abstain from sexual relations so stewards, we have no authority to abuse our they could live more holy lives. For instance, bodies, whether through obesity or anorexia or Montanists emphasized virginity as part of a by engaging in fornication. It is the job of single state of perfection. But such teaching is of the people to preserve their bodies in purity and devil, and Paul writes that those who forbid holiness for their future spouses. Any sexual marriage are heretics (1 Tim. 4:1-3). The

146

KIU Journal of Humanities

Hebrews writer says, ―Let the marriage bed be appears four times in four verses in the kept pure,‖ not by refraining from sexual NT – Heb. 7: 26;13:4;James 1:27; 1Pet.1:4. The relations in marriage, but by and idea is that marriage bed should be in perfect marital unfaithfulness. Therefore, the writer condition, free from any spot of moral dirt or disagrees with Ambrose when he said that ethical pollution, free from any influence that married people ought to blush at the state in might defile it. We should allow nothing to which they are living. No, they ought to rejoice cheapen the marriage bed in any way. Just as and praise the Lord for his gift of sexuality to be our future inheritance in heaven is pure and free exercised in marriage. Erasmus was also from anything that would deform it or cause it to biblically wrong when he praised a married lose its vigor, so too should the Christian couple living without sexual relations. The couple's marriage bed be untainted by medieval church was also wrong when it moral/ethical impurity. Matthew Henry adds prohibited sex for married people up to five days that to keep the marriage bed undefiled was a a week. Such problems occur when we rely, not radical concept in the first century Greco-Roman on the Bible, but on human philosophy (Bruce, world, and by such supernaturally enabled 1990: 372). behaviour, the first century believers proved themselves to be blameless and innocent, Bed literally refers to a place for lying children of God above reproach in the midst of a down and rest and thus refers to a bed or crooked and perverse generation, among whom bedroom. was used also of the den of an you appear as lights in the world" (Phil. 2: 15; animal or the nest of a bird as well as of a box or Matt. 5: 16) (Henry, 1997: 345). basket (2 Sam. 11: 13; 1Ki. 1:47; Mic. 2: 1; Isa.11:8). In certain contexts it was used to refer Kent Hughes comments that Christian sexual to the marriage bed, a figurative way to refer to morality was unique in the pagan world and a the sexual relationship between a husband and source of wonder. And it has become his wife. is also used to describe illicit increasingly so today in a world that considers sexual promiscuity, refers to a place or structure adultery irrelevant, purity abnormal, and sex a on which one can lie down and in this context is ―right‖ (however and with whomever one may ―And the bed undefiled:‖ – this means ―fidelity get it) and that has invented the egregious term to the marriage vow‖. The bed will remain ―recreational sex.‖ We Christians are called to undefiled by not letting others into it by the act be outrageously pure—to be a source of wonder of adultery...this is fidelity to the marriage vow and even derision to this glandular world (Verbruggg, 2000: 3730). The bed will remain (Hughes, 2003: 45). undefiled by not letting others into it by the act of adultery. This is fidelity to the marriage vow. 2.4 But Fornicators and Adulterers God will The Christian is to value his relationship with judge ( his spouse so highly that he will avoid defiling the marriage bed by keeping himself from any Fornicator appears ten times in ten kind of sexual relationship while married. verses in the NT – 1Cor. 5:9, 10, 11; 6: 9; Eph. Undefiled means free from 5:5; 1Tim. 1: 10; describing Esau (Heb. 12: 16); contamination. It is from ―a‖ which negates describing those who defile the marriage bed what follows ι which means to defile by (Heb. 13: 4); describing those who will not be in staining, as with colour. It means unpolluted, heaven (Rev. 21:8;22:15). Fornicator untainted, unstained (stainless), unsoiled, , according to Wuest, K. S. originally without uncleanness or impurity. The idea is free meant a "male prostitute" but came to be used in from that by which the nature of a thing is the universal meaning of "fornicator" or one deformed or debased, or its force or vigor is who engages in sexual immorality, whether a impaired. In secular Greek writings man or a woman. A fornicator , in was used to describe things such as unstained secular Greece was a person who prostituted hands, heart, flesh or body. themselves for gain (Wuest, 1978: 76). , from which we get means one who

147

KIU Journal of Humanities has sexual intercourse with prostitute. It is a God has joined together, let not man put general word for unlawful and immoral sexual asunder‖ (Matt. 19:6, KJV). If people destroy a relationships and includes any kind of sex marriage, neither the church nor the family nor outside of marriage: pre-marital, extra-marital the judge nor the community nor the state may (adultery), homosexual and various others punish the guilty party, but God, who sees all (Colin, 1986). Fornication is sexual immorality things, surely will. He shall punish such people outside of God‘s institution of marriage, and in this life and in the life to come on the last day. God will judge all fornicators. Vine in When we violate God‘s prohibition against commenting on the use of fornicator , in adultery, we sin against God and our spouse. the description of Esau in Hebrews 12:16 says that: Adulterer appears three times in New …the word pornos, fornicator, is not to be America Standard Version here in Luke 18:11, limited to the idea of spiritual fornication, it 1Cor. 6:9 and Hebrews 13:4. Adulterer, includes the actual sin and all such sensual and and adulteress , describes one who is lustful practices. Esau‘s profanity consisted not unfaithful to his or her spouse. Adultery is one merely in his satisfying his immediate desires of three sins (along with idolatry and murder) and abandoning his birthright, but in treating the the Mishnah says adultery must be resisted to holy privileges of the patriarchal family, the the point of death. In addition to this, Vine priesthood, and the title to the land, and the writes that fornication and adultery are not ancestorship of the Messiah, as of no value synonymous in the New Testament: adultery compared with the satisfaction of a natural implies unfaithfulness by either party to the hunger of the moment (Vine, 1994: 23). marriage vow, while the word translated Every other sin that a man commits is outside "fornication" covers a wide range of sexual the body, but the immoral, ευ in the irregularities (Vine,1994: 23).Figuratively, present tense means continually immoral, is a describes one who is faithless toward sin against his own body because sexual God. intimacy is the deepest uniting of two persons. The sole purpose of this sin is the gratification of The Lord's purpose for His creation of Adam the strong desires (lust) inherent in the flesh and, and Eve was that it was to be a permanent, therefore, it is probably the most selfish of all monogamous marriage (Gen. 2: 21, 22, 23, 24; sins. Matt. 19:4, 5, 6), with children raised in the corresponding family unit. Therefore, all J C Ryle opines that the violation of the seventh misuses of our sexuality (adultery, fornication, commandment is the sin above all others. It is illicit fantasies, masturbation, pornography, the sin that leaves deeper scars upon the soul homosexual behaviour, rape, sexual child abuse, than any other sin that a man can commit. It is a bestiality, exhibitionism, and so on distort the sin that destroys thousands of young men in true knowledge of God (Mahaney, 2004:34). every age, and has even overthrown a few of the saints of God in the past. Samson and David are John MacArthur warns, God is serious about fearful proofs. It is the sin that man dares to sexual purity. You may fool around with illicit smile at, and smooths over using the terms: sex, you may fool around outside your marriage, thrills, love, uncontrollable passions, and natural and you may get away with it from the judgment desires. But it is the sin that the devil rejoices of man standpoint, but you‘ll never get away over, for he is the "unclean spirit;" and it is the with it from the judgment of God. God will sin that God abhors, and declares He "will judge; somehow and someway chastisement, judge" (Heb. 13:4) (Ryle, 2012). punishment comes (MacArthur, 2012). Some of The Greeks were very permissive. They did not the more obvious results of such views are the have a closed system in marriage; they had heartbreaking increases in extramarital wives, concubines, and prostitutes. But that is , forcible rapes, illegitimate births not biblical marriage. God will judge all who (despite birth control measures and abortions), destroy marriage. That is why we read: ―What and in venereal diseases of all sorts. When

148

KIU Journal of Humanities

Christians are immoral, the immediate disturbances, economic deprivations, children consequences may even be worse, because the destiny shattered and generational troubles. testimony of the gospel is polluted. In addition, Ray Stedman also adds that, there is 2.5 God will judge ( ) mental anguish with guilt, self-hatred and ego disintegration. Couples become alienated, appears one hundred and fourteen times estranged and hateful and occasionally even in New Testament primarily signifies to commit murder. And then there is the toll on distinguish, separate or discriminate; then, to society with the problem of a plethora of distinguish between good and evil, right and illegitim ate children without fathers and the wrong, without necessarily passing an adverse plight of abortion. When we violate God‘s sentence, though this is usually involved. In prohibition against adultery, we sin against God Hebrews 13:4 there is emphasis in the Greek and our spouse. (Foucault, 1978: 54). text on the word ―God‖ ε . because it appears last. People may not judge, but God Again, since the Greek verb is himself will surely judge, because every sin is unexpressed thus the text ι ι against God. The writer emphasized this idea of which may be translated either ―honourable is God as judge throughout his epistle: ―Just as marriage‖, or ―honourable let marriage be‖ may man is destined to die once, and after that to face apply both to those within and those without the judgment… . since that time he waits for his marriage relation. The writer evidently intends enemies to be made his footstool… . ―For we to convey a warning against the depreciation of know him who said, ‗It is mine to avenge; I will marriage by immorality. Perhaps there is also a repay,‘ and again, ‗The Lord will judge his warning against a certain class of Gnostics who, people.‘ It is a dreadful thing to fall into the because of their ascetic tendencies, held hands of the living God … ―for our ‗God is a marriage in low esteem or forbade it altogether consuming fire‘‖ (Heb. 9:27; 10:13, 30-31; (1 Tim. 4:3). The chief emphasis appears to be 12:29). upon the necessity for chastity (Wenham, 1965: 193). Because God honours marriage, he will also judge all who oppose it: ―For God will judge all 4. Recommendations fornicators and adulterers.‖ This gives the reason for the previous directives. That prevent anyone The society as at the time of the writing of from doing anything that violates the sanctity of Hebrew 13:4 is not different from our present marriage, less God punishes such. Marriage one in Nigeria, where the original meaning of should then be considered a closed system to a marriage is lost, cohabitation is rampant among third party, whether man or woman. the unmarried youth, homosexualism, lesbianism, rape, sexual immoralities of all sorts. 3. Conclusion Even gay marriage is been encouraged in the church. Nude church is springing up claiming to "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed have biblical backup as that Adam and Eve were undefiled: but fornicators and adulterers God naked and they were not ashamed. Dressing in will judge" (13:4). This brief but comprehensive the church is not different from that of party text makes clear that the spouse is responsible wears, all these are encouraged in the church for the sacredness of marriage and for the thinking we are advancing in civilization. fulfillment of its God-given purpose. Furthermore, this text holds that there are severe Preaching against sinful act has been archaic judgments in store for its perversion or violation. preaching, the church is not different from social Even in this present life one experiences great gathering. And really, anybody that indulges in problems when marriage is destroyed. There are sexual relationship outside the marriage bond sexually transmitted diseases, emotional both heterosexual and homosexual and even adultery is unfaithful to the marriage vows and

149

KIU Journal of Humanities engages in licentiously forbidden practice. This them. Imagination is the hotbed where this sin is issue should be well handled at all levels of the too often hatched. Guard your thoughts (Pr. church, not even exempting the ministers 4:23), (Brundage, 1987: 20). because some are indulging in this illicit and immoral act. Marriage is, and should be Meanwhile, the world is so corrupt this time, honourable in all and marriage bed be undefiled, such that sanctity of marriage is no longer so that the church may be ready for the marriage respected, pornographic pictures, literatures and of the lamb. X-rated are fanning the flame of lust, making explicit and unrestrained sex appear the norm as Hebrews 13:4 is a recommendation of God‘s it is rampant in the society, it is becoming a ordinance of marriage, that it is honourable in common thing even in the church where pastors every respect; and, in particular, sex within is being accused of having sexual relationship marriage is pure, and ought to be so esteemed by with young single and or married ladies in the all, and not denied to those to whom God has not church; youths do not see it as a sin any longer denied it. It is honourable, for God instituted it to have sexual relationship with fellow youth in for man in paradise, knowing it was not good for the church, it has become a game. Parents him to be alone. Christ honoured marriage with encourage the betrothed children to engage in his presence and first miracle. It is honourable as experimental sexual intercourse to know if either a means to prevent impurity and a defiled bed. It or both of them are fertile and can produce is honourable and happy, when persons come children in marriage, they will even be together pure and chaste, and preserve the encouraged to get pregnant before the marriage. marriage bed undefiled, not only from unlawful but inordinate affections. However, cohabitation is forbidden in marriage, homosexualism, heterosexualism is quite against It is commonly supposed by non-Christians and the purpose of marriage by God who instituted even by many Christians that the Bible opposes it. The concept of marriage is that ―a man shall sexual activities of any kind. But the New leave his father and mother and be united to his Testament standard is set by passages such as wife and they will become one flesh‖ 1Cor.7: 2-7 and Col.2:16-23, which express the (Gen.2:24). This should be done in holiness and same view. Again, variety in sexual activity obedience. between husband and wife is permitted, so long as both agree (1Cor.7:2-5); the notion that God References requires the so-called ―missionary position‖ is fiction, a limitation that Christians of the past Arterburn, S. & Stoeker, F.( 1984). Every Man's imposed upon themselves. On the other hand, Battle: Winning the War on Sexual. although the Bible encourages sexual fulfilment, Colorado: Water Book Press. it does not condone promiscuity. Sexual activity Barclay, L. (2011). The Accident. London: Orion is to be limited to the marriage relationship. Books. Barnes, A. (2012). Barnes' Notes on the Bible So also young men, "Flee from sexual http://bible.cc/hebrews/13-4.htm 16th immorality" (1Cor.6:18) if you love life. "Let no February, 2012. one deceive you with empty words, for because Bruce, F.F. (1990). The Epistle to the Hebrews. of such things God's wrath comes on those who Grand Rapids: Williams B. Eerdmans are disobedient" (Eph.5:6). Flee from the Publishing Company. opportunity of it, from the places where you Brundage, J. A. (1987). Law, Sex and Christian might be tempted to do it. Feared God and as a Society in Medieval Society. Chicago: result turned away from evil (Job 1:1; 31:1). University of Chicago Press. You cannot even touch black grease without Clarke, A. (2012). Clarke's Commentary on the getting your hands dirty. Flee from the thoughts Bible. of it; resist them, destroy them, pray against http://clarke.biblecommenter.com/ them, make any sacrifice rather than give way to hebrews/13.htm 22nd February, 2012.

150

KIU Journal of Humanities

Colin, B. (1986). International Dictionary of Stedman, R. C. (2012). Hebrews Commentary New Testament Theology 4 Vols. Part II, Chapters 9-13: IVP New (Zondervan: Zondervan Publishing Testament Commentary Series House,http://www.logos.com/product/54 http://www.raystedman.org/hebrews2/he 63/new-international-dictionary-of-new- b2comm2.html#note46 24th February, testament-theology 26th February, 2012. 2012. Daniels, R. (2012). The War Within: Gaining Taylor, R. S. (1967). ―Hebrew‖ in Beacon Bible Victory in the Battle for Sexual Purity Commentary in Ten Volumes. Missouri: http://www.meetchristiansingles.com/ch Beacon Hill Press. ristians/christian-books2.html 18th Tenney, M.C. (ed.). (1978). ―Marriage” in Bible February, 2012. Dictionary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Feuerstein, G. (ed). (1989). Enlightened Corporation. Sexuality: Essays on Body-Positive Verbrugge, V.D. (ed.). (2000). New Spirituality. California: The Crossing International Dictionary of New Press. Testament Theology (abridged edition). Foucault, M. (1978). The History of Sexuality Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing Volume I: An Introduction. California: House. Penguin Books. Vine, W. E. (1994). Vine's Complete Expository Gilley, G. (2012). A Matter of Purity. Dictionary of Old and New Testament http://www.svchapel.org/resources/articl Words. Illinois: Nelson Publishing es/20-christian-living/20-a-matter-of- Company. purity 26th January, 2012. Vine, W. E. (1994). ― ” in Vine's Complete Green, P. (1992). Alexander of Macedonia. Expository Dictionary of Old and New Berkeley: University of California Press. Testament Words. (Virginia: Grey-Gerou, P. (2012) The Sanctity of MacDonald Publishing Company. Marriage.. Wenham, J.W. (1965).The Element of New Henry, M. (1997). Matthew Henry’s Concise Testament Greek. Cambridge: Commentary on the Whole Bible. Cambridge University Press. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers. Wuest, K. S. (1978). Wuest's Word Studies from Hughes, K. (2003). Set Apart Calling a Worldly the Greek New Testament. Eerdmans: Church to a godly Life. Illinois: Zondervan Publishing House. Wheaton. Kientz, M. S. (1984). Build Your Walls! Guard Your Gates! What Nehemiah can teach us about Sexual Purity. Zondervan: International Bible Society. MacArthur, J. (2012). Sexual Purity in the Church. http://www.new-testament- christian.com/sexual-purity-in-the- church.html 17th February, 2012. Mahaney, C. J. (2004). Sex and the Supremacy of Christ Part 3. Illinois: Crossway Books. Marriage (2012). http://www.biblia.com/bible/nasb95/He brews_13.4 18th February, 2012. Ryle, J. C. (2012). Sanctification. http://goodbooksfree.com/books/ryle/hol iness/h002.html 16th February, 2012. Stedman, R. (1995). The Intended Life. Peninsula: Discovery Publishing.

151