Waiting until marriage is a deeply personal and often challenging decision for many individuals. In today’s world, where relationships and intimacy are often explored freely before marriage, choosing to remain celibate until the right time can feel isolating or misunderstood.
Yet, for those who turn to their faith, the Bible offers timeless wisdom, encouragement, and practical guidance on this topic.
In this post, we’ll explore 15 Bible verses about waiting till marriage that can provide comfort, direction, and inspiration for anyone navigating this journey.
Also Read: 15+ Bible Verses About Marriage and Love
1. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
Explanation:
In this powerful passage, Paul stresses the importance of honoring God with our bodies. Sexual purity is not only about obeying a commandment, but it’s also about respecting the sacredness of our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. The verse emphasizes that our bodies are not our own; they belong to God, and thus, our actions—especially in intimate relationships—should reflect that honor.
2. Hebrews 13:4
“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”
Explanation:
This verse highlights the sanctity of marriage and urges us to keep the marriage bed pure. Waiting until marriage allows couples to honor the sacredness of this bond. The emphasis is on the purity of the relationship, promising that God will hold those who respect this command in high regard.
3. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.”
Explanation:
God’s will for us is to live in holiness, and this includes abstaining from sexual immorality. The passage reminds us that self-control is part of living a sanctified life. Waiting until marriage is an act of discipline and honor before God, reflecting the difference between those who follow God’s teachings and those who follow worldly desires.
4. Romans 12:1-2
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Explanation:
This verse invites us to present our bodies as living sacrifices to God, meaning that our bodies should be used for His purposes. Waiting until marriage aligns with this calling to live differently from the world, to act in ways that honor God and His plan for our lives.
5. Proverbs 4:23
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Explanation:
Guarding our hearts is essential in every area of life, especially in relationships. This verse reminds us that our emotions, desires, and actions all stem from what’s in our hearts. By choosing to wait, we protect our hearts from the pain and confusion that can come from rushing into physical intimacy outside of God’s design.
6. Song of Solomon 8:4
“Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.”
Explanation:
This verse speaks to the importance of waiting until love is fully realized within the commitment of marriage. The phrase “do not arouse or awaken love” indicates that love and intimacy should not be rushed or forced. It’s about allowing God to unfold His perfect plan for love and marriage in His timing.
7. Ephesians 5:3
“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.”
Explanation:
This verse stresses that believers should avoid any form of sexual immorality, which includes premarital sex. The call is for purity in both our actions and our thoughts, demonstrating that waiting till marriage isn’t just about what we do but also about keeping our minds and hearts pure.
8. Matthew 5:27-28
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Explanation:
Jesus teaches that sin begins in the heart, not just in physical actions. Waiting until marriage means purifying our hearts and minds, ensuring that we don’t let lust take root, even in our thoughts. This passage shows that true purity comes from the inside out.
Also Read: Bible Verses About King James S About Marriage And Love
9. Galatians 5:16
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
Explanation:
Walking by the Spirit means living according to God’s guidance and not being driven by our fleshly desires. This verse reminds us that choosing to wait until marriage is an act of walking in the Spirit, relying on His strength to resist temptations and live according to God’s will.
10. 1 Peter 1:15-16
“But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.'”
Explanation:
As followers of Christ, we are called to be holy just as He is holy. Waiting until marriage is one way to embody this holiness in our relationships, setting ourselves apart as people who honor God in every aspect of our lives, including our sexuality.
11. 1 Corinthians 10:13
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
Explanation:
This verse offers encouragement that God will provide strength to resist temptation. Waiting until marriage may bring challenges, but God is faithful and will always give us the strength to overcome. His grace ensures we can endure and stay true to His will.
12. Proverbs 31:10-12
“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.”
Explanation:
This passage describes a woman of noble character, whose purity and value come from her trust in God. Waiting until marriage allows us to build the kind of character that honors God and provides a solid foundation for a lasting, God-honoring relationship.
13. Colossians 3:5
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”
Explanation:
This verse urges believers to eliminate the desires of the flesh. Choosing to wait until marriage is one way of putting to death sexual immorality and impurity, turning away from the world’s temptations and living in a way that honors God.
14. Titus 2:6-8
“Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness, and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”
Explanation:
This passage emphasizes the importance of self-control and setting a good example. Waiting until marriage demonstrates self-control and helps others see the value of living according to God’s standards, showing integrity in all areas of life.
15. 1 Corinthians 7:9
“But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”
Explanation:
Paul acknowledges the challenges of sexual desire, but he also emphasizes that marriage is the proper context for fulfilling these desires. This verse encourages those who are struggling to wait to consider marriage as a way to honor God and avoid sin.
Also Read: Bible Verse About Marriage Between Man and Woman
Conclusion
Choosing to wait until marriage is not always easy, but these Bible verses remind us that we are not alone in this journey. God’s Word offers wisdom, strength, and encouragement for anyone navigating the decision to remain sexually pure. By waiting, we honor our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit and respect the sanctity of marriage.
As you reflect on these Bible verses about waiting till marriage, consider how they speak to your heart and situation. We encourage you to share your own experiences or favorite verses in the comments below, as we all walk this journey of faith together.