Marriage

Sex and intimacy

2026-06-14

Text

1Cor 7:1-6

Aims

  1. to study the biblical contexts of sexual intimacy in Christian marriage,

  2. to emphasize the importance in strengthening the bond of marital relationship and

  3. to elucidate on how to balance the spiritual life with marital obligations.

Introduction

Our topic today is a continuation of discussion on conjugal intimacy before marriage in study 21. Despite the fact that the issue of sexual intimacy had always been shyly ignored, yet it had been one of the bases for divorce and unexplained quarrels and disagreement in marriages. During a post marital counselling with a couple, it was discovered that the wife had never allowed any intimate relationship with the husband for almost a year after their wedding; with unjustified reasons. God’s intention for a man and a woman in marriage is that, they should share everything including their bodies together as one entity. Our Bible passage today exposes us to the fact that the husband should fulfil his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. They should never deprive each other except by mutual consent for a time after which they come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

Study guide

  1. How do you understanding sexual intimacy in Christian Marriage and mention some of the importance among Christian couples and how they can strengthen marital relationships. 1Cor. 7: 2-5;

  2. Read Prov 5:15-20; Heb 13:4; 1Cor 7:4-5 and analyse the godly principles for Christian couples.

  3. Some people perceive the romancing or caressing of husband and wife is ungodly. Discuss this in the context of Songs of Solomon 1:2, 4, 13-16 and 2:5-6;

  4. In your own view, how can sexual dissatisfaction or lack of conjugal intimacy endanger godly marital relationship? 1 Cor 7:1-2, 4-5

Conclusion

When it comes to conflicts between husbands and wives, research had shown that 90 per cent of them are directly or indirectly connected to sexual dissatisfaction on some level. Therefore, in Christian marriage, sexual intimacy is ordained by God and serves as an important reminder of a couple’s one-flesh relationship. Therefore, it should be a regular part of legal and godly married life to be enjoyed by the couple so as to strengthen the bond of love.

Food for thought

Sexual intimacy is designed to bring God’s glory including yours.

Memory verse

1Cor 7:3 “The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband”.