Biblical Teaching on Masturbation and Sexual Purity
The Bible does not explicitly mention masturbation, but it addresses principles of sexual purity, self-control, and the avoidance of lust, which are often applied to discussions of this topic. The broader biblical teaching emphasizes that sexual activity is intended for the covenant of marriage and that believers are called to live lives of holiness and self-denial [1, 10].
Biblical texts frequently condemn sexual immorality, often using terms like "fornication" or "uncleanness." For instance, 1 Thessalonians 4:5 speaks against "lustful passion," noting that willful ignorance of God's ways can lead to moral corruption [10]. The apostle Paul contrasts the behavior of those who do not know God with believers who are called to sanctification, which includes abstaining from sexual immorality [10]. The concept of "uncleanness" (Greek: akatharsia) in the New Testament refers to a broad range of impure thoughts, words, and actions, including sexual sins [8]. In the Old Testament, purification rituals were necessary to remove ritual uncleanness, often involving water and sometimes sacrifices, highlighting the need for cleansing from defilement [4].
The Old Testament also links sexual purity with readiness for divine encounter. For example, before receiving the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai, the Israelites were commanded to purify themselves, which included abstaining from sexual intercourse [9]. Similarly, when Samuel was to perform a sacrifice and anoint a new king, he instructed Jesse and his sons to purify themselves, which involved bathing and abstaining from sexual activity [5]. These instances suggest that sexual abstinence was sometimes required in preparation for sacred moments, indicating a connection between sexual conduct and spiritual readiness.
Lust is consistently presented as a sin in the Bible. Jesus taught that looking at a woman with lustful intent is equivalent to committing adultery in the heart (Matthew 5:28). This teaching extends the concept of sexual sin beyond physical acts to include internal desires and thoughts. The New Testament warns against "fleshly lusts" that wage war against the soul (1 Peter 2:11) and encourages believers to "mortify sinful lusts" [1]. Selfishness, which is contrary to God's law, can manifest in "pleasing ourselves" and "seeking our own" [2], which some interpretations connect to self-gratification outside of God's intended design for sexuality.
Some biblical commentators interpret passages that condemn "uncleanness" or "sensuality" as encompassing various forms of sexual impurity, including those that might lead to self-gratification driven by lust. For example, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, in their commentary on 1 Thessalonians 2:3, connect "uncleanness" to "impure motives of carnal self-gratification" [8]. John Gill, commenting on Isaiah 47:8, describes those "given to pleasures" as gratifying their "sensual appetite" and indulging in "venereal pleasures," which can be broadly understood to include various forms of sexual indulgence [7].
The biblical emphasis on sexual purity is rooted in the understanding that the human body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Therefore, believers are called to honor God with their bodies and to avoid any sexual activity that defiles this temple. The concept of "filthiness" and "nakedness uncovered through prostitution" in Ezekiel 16:36, though primarily referring to Israel's idolatry, illustrates the strong biblical language used to describe sexual defilement [3]. The imagery of "adultery" is also used metaphorically in Scripture to describe serving other gods, highlighting the seriousness of spiritual and physical infidelity [6].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Selfishness — Contrary to the law of God -- Le 19:18; Mt 22:39; Jas 2:8. The example of Christ condemns -- Joh 4:34; Ro 15:3; 2Co 8:9. God hates -- Mal 1:10. Exhibited in Being lovers of ourselves. -- 2Ti 3:2. Pleasing ourselves. -- Ro 15:1. Seeking our own. -- 1Co 10:33; Php 2:21. Seeking after gain. -- Isa 56:11. Seeking undue precedence. -- Mt 20:21. Living to ourselves. -- 2Co 5:15. Neglect of the poor. -- 1Jo 3:17. Serving God for reward. -- Mal 1:10. Performing duty for reward. -- Mic 3:11. Inconsistent with Christian love -- 1Co 13:5. Inconsistent with communi”
- Ezekiel “Thus says the Lord Yahweh, Because your filthiness was poured out, and your nakedness uncovered through your prostitution with your lovers; and because of all the idols of your abominations, and for the blood of your children, that you gave to them; -- Ezekiel 16:36”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Purification — in its legal and technical sense, is applied to the ritual observances whereby an Israelite was formally absolved from the taint of uncleanness. The essence of purification, in all eases, consisted in the use of water, whether by way of ablution or aspersion; but in the majora delicta of legal uncleanness, sacrifices of various kinds were added and the ceremonies throughout bore an expiatory character. Ablution of the person and of the clothes was required in the cases mentioned in (Leviticus 15:18; 11:25,40; 15:18,17) In cases of childbirth the sacrifi”
- 1 Samuel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Samuel 16:5: 16:5 Purify yourselves: Self-purification included bathing and abstaining from sexual intercourse (see Exod 19:10-15; cp. Gen 35:2-4). • The sacrifice likely took place the following morning (see Num 11:18; Josh 3:5; 7:13-14). • Samuel performed the purification rite for Jesse and his sons to make sure they were ready for the sacrifice and for the anointing of the new king (cp. Exod 19:10; Josh 3:5).”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 17:2: 17:2 Adultery with her is a biblical image for serving other gods (see, e.g., Exod 34:12-16; Judg 2:17; Hos 2). • drunk by . . . her immorality: Drunkenness in Scripture often depicts nations that indulge in wanton and immoral behavior (see Rev 18:3, 9; Jer 25:27; 51:7; Lam 4:21; Ezek 23:33).”
- Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 47:8: Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures,.... To carnal lusts and pleasures; gratifying her sensual appetite; indulging herself in everything that was agreeable to the senses; abounding in delicacies, and living deliciously; as is said of mystical Babylon, Rev 18:4, particularly given to venereal pleasures. Curtius says (g), "no city was more corrupt in its manners, or furnished to irritate or allure to immoderate pleasures. Parents and husbands suffered their children and wives to prostitute themselves to strangers, so that they had but a price.'' ”
- 1 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Thessalonians 2:3: For--The ground of his "boldness" (Th1 2:2), his freedom from all "deceit, uncleanness, and guile"; guile, before God, deceit (Greek, "imposture"), towards men (compare Co2 1:12; Co2 2:17; Eph 4:14); uncleanness, in relation to one's self (impure motives of carnal self-gratification in gain, Th1 2:5), or lust; such as actuated false teachers of the Gentiles (Phi 1:16; Pe2 2:10, Pe2 2:14; Jde 1:8; Rev 2:14-15). So Simon Magus and Cerinthus taught [ESTIUS]. exhortation--The Greek means "consolation" as well as "exhortation." The same Gospel whi”
- Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 19:10: 19:10-15 In the second phase of preparation, the people received commands that would prepare them to receive God’s covenant. They were to wash their clothing (19:10, 14) because God is pure. They were to prepare a boundary all around the mountain (19:12-13) and be careful not to cross it because God is holy. They were to abstain from having sexual intercourse (19:15) because God is not a sexual being, and his blessings are not produced through sexual activity. Things that are natural and right under ordinary circumstances were to be set aside for the extraordinar”
- 1 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Thessalonians 4:5: 4:5 Willful ignorance of God and his ways is the root of moral corruption (Rom 1:18-32; Eph 4:17-18). • lustful passion: Sexual immorality was often tolerated in the Mediterranean world. Prostitution was allowed, but sexual relations with another man’s wife were prohibited. Roman marriage customs barred women, but not men, from extramarital affairs. By contrast, Jewish and Christian authors alike prohibited all sexual involvement outside of marriage (Acts 15:20; 1 Cor 6:12-20; Col 3:5-6).”