Singapore Moses Supporter Messenger of God, CEO in IT industry, Astronaut, Scientist

"Marriage should be honoured by all and the marriage bed kept pure." (Heb 13:4)

It mandates only one spouse for every Christian.

Chastity is a virtue common to both sexes. Because of social, cultural restraints and legal prescription, one may not have actually indulged in adultery. But it is rather more important that we must keep inwardly pure in our thoughts and feelings, for that is the requirement in God's eyes regarding this matter.

Physical union though instituted by God is not the basis of marriage. Marriage is first spiritual, then physical. When that order is reversed infidelity creeps in. We may be bodily pure but the heart can become corrupt and adulterous. Joy and laughter fill and freely flow the newlyweds. But the initial endearing expressions of love pass with a passage of time and that is when the couple must take extra care to continue in love. Malachi 2:15 admonishes, "Guard yourself in spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth."

The only commandment that is sort of repeated within the Ten Commandments is with reference to adultery. Commandment Seven: "You shall not commit adultery;" Commandment Ten: "You shall not covet your neighbour's wife" (Ex 20:14,17). Almost all the New Testament Epistles speak against adultery and fornication (Rom 13:12-14; 1 Cor 6:13-20; 2 Cor 12:21; Gal 5:19-21; Eph 4:17-24; Col 3:1-7; 1 Thess 4:3-7; 2 Tim 2:21,22; 1 Pet 2:9-11; 4:1-3; 2 Pet 2:9,10).

Here are a few practical suggestions to help you remain faithful to your spouse: Realize whom God has given you as partner is the best for you. God knows all about us and our times are in His hand and knowledge. We can trust God our Father that He has given us the best. At any cost avoid comparing your spouse with another person. This is extremely dangerous. It is unavoidable that a person's defects become obvious when you live long enough and close enough with him or her. Satan tempts you here to dream of a perfect person. His suggestions will be appealing but deadly. The truth is that there is no perfect husband or perfect wife or perfect couple!

Learn to enjoy things together. When you visit families, do go as a family. No saint on this earth is beyond the reach of the devil. We don't become sin-proof on this side of eternity. By mutual consent you may for a time of special prayer stay apart; but get back to each other soon (1 Cor 7:5). Sort out differences through patience and dialogue and when they arise. Shalom to your home!

July 17 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Emily Rivera Supporter

Honor is respect, reverence, and exaltation of someone or (rarely) something (in my opinion).

The scripture that you used tells you the answer of the question you just asked. When it says that the "bed is to be undefiled" it means that the marriage should be UNCONTAMINATED of infidelity and adultery.

The word "bed" is symbolic for "marriage" because in a marriage, husband and wife share the same bed as a sign that they are one. When that "bed" is defiled (the word "defiled" means "contaminated or perverted") it brings dishonor to the marriage and the household.

Pretty much, don't cheat on your spouse. It brings contamination to the relationship and dishonor to the significant other and yourself; and God will judge you for it.

July 17 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What does it mean that "The marriage bed is to be undefiled"?

An interesting comment by Paul recorded in Hebrews 13:4: Let marriage be honourable among all, and let the marriage bed be without defilement, for God will judge sexually immoral people and adulterers. 

After reading the account, my opinion is as follows.

Meaning: Couples should place a high value on their marriage and work hard to protect it.

Paul tells Christians in several places in the Bible that "those who are sexually immoral... will not inherit God's Kingdom" (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10). Bible writers who wrote in Greek used the word por·neiʹa to describe sexual immorality. That word includes (1) sexual relations between people who are not married to each other, (2) homosexuality, and (3) bestiality. We please Jehovah and benefit ourselves when we "abstain from sexual immorality."​—1 Thessalonians 4:3.

When writing to Christians, Paul was not making a mere casual observation. Instead, that text was directing, urging Christians personally to esteem marriage, to view it as precious.

When writing, Paul used the term "marriage bed" to refer to sexual relations. Such relations are "without defilement," or morally clean, if they are experienced solely within the marriage arrangement. Therefore, Christians heed the inspired words: "May you rejoice with the wife of your youth."​—Proverbs 5:18.

Think about this: those having sexual relations with someone other than their spouse show gross disrespect for God's moral laws, something that Christians want to avoid. 

When we value something, we take care to preserve it and avoid losing it, even if it's accidental. The same should be true of the marriage arrangement. Christians are to view it as honourable—something precious that they want to protect.

How appropriate Paul's counsel is, since sexual immorality was prevalent in the Roman Empire! Present-day Christians also need to heed these words in view of the world's low moral standards.

Conclusion: 

Adultery is against God's law; it leads to trouble in a marriage. "Lots of people think an adulterous affair might spice up a marriage," one marriage researcher said, but she added that an affair always leads to "real problems."—Proverbs 6:27-29, 32.

October 05 2025 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

John Teets Supporter

In addition to only having sexual intimacy with one's spouse, I and many others also believe that defilement can come within marriage. Anal and oral intercourse of all types and the use of pornography together would definitely fit that bill, and it has distressed me that some "Christian" marriage advisors actually advocate these activities. Some of those also have a low bar for singles as well, so simply apply the word of God to all relationships.

October 03 2025 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report