Living together before marriage is a topic that many couples face today. However, as Christians, it’s important to look at what God’s Word says regarding purity, commitment, and the covenant of marriage. Here are key Bible verses that provide guidance and insight into God’s will on this matter.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Finding a Husband
God’s Design for Marriage
From the beginning, God established marriage as a sacred covenant between a man and a woman. Living together outside this covenant can challenge God’s purpose for unity and holiness in a relationship.
Genesis 2:24
“This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.”
Hebrews 13:4
“Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.”
1 Corinthians 7:2
“But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband.”
Proverbs 18:22
“The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord.”
Matthew 19:5-6
“‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”
Purity Before Marriage
God’s Word places a high value on sexual purity. Living together often leads to sexual temptation and sin. The Bible encourages us to keep ourselves pure before marriage to honor God and each other.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-4
“God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control your own body and live in holiness and honor.”
1 Corinthians 6:18
“Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body.”
2 Timothy 2:22
“Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.”
Ephesians 5:3
“Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.”
Colossians 3:5
“So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires.”
Commitment and Responsibility
Marriage represents a lifelong commitment and covenant before God. Living together without this formal commitment can lead to brokenness and instability, while marriage fosters responsibility, love, and growth.
Matthew 19:6
“Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”
1 Peter 3:7
“In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.”
Proverbs 31:10
“Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.”
Genesis 2:18
“Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.'”
Temptation and Self-Control
Living together can create situations where temptation arises. The Bible encourages self-control and reliance on God to resist temptation and live a holy life.
1 Corinthians 10:13
“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”
James 1:12
“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
Proverbs 4:23
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
Romans 13:14
“Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.”
Galatians 5:16
“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.”
Honor and Respect
The Bible calls for relationships that are built on respect and honor. Living together before marriage can challenge the respect that is due in a marriage relationship, but God calls for an honorable approach to love and partnership.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.”
Romans 12:10
“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”
Ephesians 4:2
“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”
1 Peter 4:8
“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.”
1 John 4:7
“Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.”
God’s Will and Holiness
God desires that we live in holiness and obedience to His will. By waiting for marriage, we align our lives with God’s purpose and embrace His call for purity and holiness.
1 Peter 1:16
“For the Scriptures say, ‘You must be holy because I am holy.'”
Romans 12:1-2
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”
Colossians 3:12
“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
1 Thessalonians 4:7
“God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives.”
2 Corinthians 7:1
“Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.”
Marriage as a Reflection of Christ’s Love
Marriage is meant to be a reflection of the love between Christ and the Church. Living together before marriage can distort this beautiful symbol. God calls us to honor marriage as a reflection of His covenant with us.
Ephesians 5:25
“For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her.”
Genesis 1:27-28
“So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, ‘Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it.'”
Mark 10:6-9
“‘But ‘God made them male and female’ from the beginning of creation. ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.'”
1 Corinthians 13:13
“Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.”
John 15:12
“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Good Wife
What Does the Bible Say About Living Together Before Marriage
Living together before marriage, often called “cohabitation,” is a common practice these days. Many people think it’s a good way to test a relationship before making a serious commitment like marriage. It might seem practical, especially if you’re already in love and want to save on rent or just enjoy being together every day. However, if you want to follow what the Bible says, it’s important to understand how God views this arrangement.
The Bible teaches us about God’s design for relationships and marriage. From the beginning, God intended marriage to be a sacred and lifelong commitment between a man and a woman. It’s a relationship built on love, trust, and faithfulness. When two people decide to live together before marriage, they are choosing to enjoy some benefits of marriage without making the full commitment that marriage requires. This can create confusion and lead to many problems because it goes against God’s original plan for how a loving relationship should work.
One of the reasons people choose to live together before marriage is to see if they are truly compatible. It sounds reasonable, but it can also lead to a lack of real commitment. When you move in together without the bond of marriage, you’re saying, “I want to be with you, but only until it stops working out.” This can make the relationship feel unstable because there is always a possibility that one person might leave when things get difficult. Marriage, on the other hand, is a promise to stay together through good times and bad times. It’s a solid foundation that helps a couple grow stronger, even when they face challenges.
Another reason the Bible discourages living together before marriage is because it can lead to physical temptation. Being in a romantic relationship while sharing the same space makes it easier to engage in sexual activity, which the Bible teaches should be saved for marriage. This isn’t about God trying to spoil the fun or set rules just for the sake of it. It’s about protecting the intimacy of the relationship and creating a safe, secure space where both partners can fully give themselves to one another without fear or insecurity.
Living together before marriage can also create misunderstandings in the relationship. When you move in with someone, you share your life, but you also have different expectations. You might assume living together will automatically lead to marriage, while your partner might not be so sure. This difference in expectation can cause heartache and frustration. Marriage is a clear, public statement of commitment, but cohabitation often lacks that level of clarity. Without the clear intention of marriage, it is easy for one or both partners to feel uncertain about the future.
Some people argue that living together can help you learn more about each other before tying the knot. While it’s true that you might learn some habits and quirks, real knowledge of someone comes from deeper, honest conversations and spending time together in various situations. A healthy relationship isn’t about perfectly adjusting to someone’s every habit but learning to love, respect, and communicate with them, whether you’re sharing the same roof or not.
The Bible encourages us to live in a way that honors God. This means making decisions that align with His teachings, even when it’s difficult or goes against what’s popular in society. Choosing to live separately until marriage shows respect for God’s design for relationships. It might not always be the easiest choice, but it’s one that brings peace, joy, and blessings in the long run.
In conclusion, living together before marriage might seem like a practical or convenient step, but it doesn’t align with God’s plan for love, relationships, and marriage. True love is willing to wait, make a commitment, and honor God’s design. So, if you’re in a relationship and thinking about moving in together, consider what the Bible says and pray for guidance. God’s way is always the best way, and He wants your relationship to be full of love, trust, and long-lasting joy.