What does Hebrews 13:4 mean? (2024)

FAQs

What does Hebrews 13:4 mean? ›

Marriage is honorable in all, the bed undefiled ( Hebrews 13:4 ): There is a proper place for close, intimate, sexual relationship within the bonds of marriage; the bed is undefiled. God has purposed that it be a beautiful experience whereby two lives might be made one. but whor*mongers and adulterers God will judge.

Hebrews 13:4 in Other Translations

God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery. 4 Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex.

Hebrews 13:4-6 New King James Version (NKJV)

Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have.

Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.

Marriage life should be honoured and respected by all, even the unmarried, because God will judge those who do not honour it. There is also another kind of immorality, where some have sexual intercourse in a way that will not damage their physical virginity. That is immoral before God.

4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled: but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. 4 Let marriage be honourable in all and the bed undefiled; but the fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

If not careful, our own view of marriage can become disenchanted, unholy. Hebrews 13:4 exists to keep that from happening. Read it with me: “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” Remember the context.

While you haven't committed the worst sin possible in the situation, you've still sinned. Yes, you read that right. In a video for Accession Presents, Fr. Mike Schmitz emphatically says spending the night in the same bed as someone you're dating is a sin.

But the Bible is clear that as husbands, you should show your wife honor as well. 1 Peter 3:7 says, “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayer may not be hindered.”

The Bible does not state that romantic kissing is a sin. Many Christians believe that kissing on its own isn't a sin, but it can become sinful if it leads to more intimate or sexual acts before marriage. Through prayer and discussion, you and your partner can decide if kissing is okay or not.

Is fornication a sin in the Bible? ›

The Bible speaks of fornication as a grave sin. Mark 7:20 - "And Jesus said, 'What comes out of a man is what defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.

Hebrews 13 is the thirteenth (and the last) chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews in the New Testament of the Christian Bible.

God is impartial (Romans 2:11), He treats all people in the same manner and by the same rules. You already noted how God would not join all marriages. He clearly would not join in marriage those whose marriage would create a sinful marriage.

And in Hebrews we read, “Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whor*mongers and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4).

The King James Version translates the word “honorable” as “honest.” The word “honest” is from the Greek word kalos, and it describes something that is done with good in mind or in a noble or honorable way. It denotes something that is unblemished and pure.

Sober-mindedness, according to Peter, means living with a single-minded focus. What is that focus? “Being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” It means this; sober-mindedness is living with eternity in view.

Those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit are willing to do anything and everything that God asks of them, without resistance or resentment. We cease doing things our way and learn to do them God's way instead. In such a condition of submissiveness, the Atonement can take effect and true repentance can occur.

So when we read that marriage should be held in honor, this means that marriage should be regarded as precious. Marriage should be protected, esteemed, respected, and treasured as a priceless gift from God.

"Confession is made unto salvation." This does not mean that confession is a condition of salvation, but rather that confession is a natural result or evidence of salvation. A person does not confess Christ in order to be saved; he confess Christ because he is saved.