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Masturbation and Forgiveness in Christian Ethics

Christian ethics addresses masturbation within broader discussions of sexual purity, self-control, and the nature of sin, while the concept of forgiveness is central to the Christian understanding of God's character and humanity's redemption.

The Bible does not explicitly mention masturbation. However, Christian traditions have often approached the topic through principles related to sexual immorality, lust, and self-denial. The Greek term porneia, often translated as "sexual immorality" or "fornication," encompasses any sexual union outside of marriage [8]. This broad understanding has led some interpreters to include acts like masturbation, particularly when associated with lustful thoughts, under the umbrella of porneia [9]. For instance, Matthew Henry, a Nonconformist commentator, cautions against "filthy lusts" and "all uncleanness" in his commentary on Ephesians 5:3, emphasizing that such desires must be suppressed to support "holy love" [9]. Similarly, the apostle Paul's exhortation in 1 Thessalonians 4:3 states that God's will is for believers to be holy and "staying away from sexual sin" [8]. This call to holiness embraces all aspects of a person's life [8].

The concept of self-denial is also relevant. Scripture presents self-denial as a test of devotion to Christ and necessary for following him, particularly in denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and abstaining from "fleshly lusts" [1]. This includes controlling appetites and mortifying sinful desires [1]. Selfishness, defined as pleasing oneself or seeking one's own gain, is contrary to God's law and inconsistent with Christian love [4]. When masturbation is viewed as a self-serving act driven by lust rather than a healthy expression of sexuality within God's design, it can be seen as conflicting with these principles of self-denial and selfless love.

Regarding forgiveness, Christian theology consistently teaches that God offers forgiveness for all sins, with the notable exception of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit [5]. Forgiveness is a core attribute of God, who is described as "forgiving iniquity and disobedience and sin" [3]. It is a constituent part of justification, where God absolves the sinner from condemnation and removes the guilt of sin through the work of Christ [2, 6]. This forgiveness is freely offered to all who believe [2]. The act of forgiveness frees the sinner from the guilt and penalty of their sins [2].

The process of receiving forgiveness involves repentance and faith. John Gill, a Baptist-Reformed commentator, notes that "mercy and truth" from God, particularly through Christ's propitiation, are what purge and atone for iniquity [11]. Adam Clarke, a Methodist-Wesleyan commentator, emphasizes that God's mercy provides for the pardon of iniquity through the "immolation of Jesus Christ as the covenant sacrifice" [10]. Those with "penitent hearts" who believe in Jesus receive remission of sins, and God remembers their iniquities no more [10].

Therefore, if an individual engages in masturbation and subsequently feels conviction of sin, Christian teaching affirms that forgiveness is available. The Bible encourages believers to confess their sins, with the assurance that God is faithful and just to forgive them [2]. The emphasis is on the heart's posture—repentance, which involves turning away from sin, and faith in Christ's atoning work [10, 11]. The forgiveness of injuries, both from God and towards others, is a characteristic of saints and is to be unlimited [7]. This divine willingness to forgive extends to all sins, provided there is genuine repentance and faith [5, 10].

Sources

  1. 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 ”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Forgiveness of sin — One of the constituent parts of justification. In pardoning sin, God absolves the sinner from the condemnation of the law, and that on account of the work of Christ, i.e., he removes the guilt of sin, or the sinner's actual liability to eternal wrath on account of it. All sins are forgiven freely (Acts 5:31; 13:38; 1 John 1:6-9). The sinner is by this act of grace for ever freed from the guilt and penalty of his sins. This is the peculiar prerogative of God (Ps. 130:4; Mark 2:5). It is offered to all in the gospel. (See [219]JUSTIFICATION.)”
  3. Exodus “keeping loving kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and disobedience and sin; and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the children’s children, on the third and on the fourth generation.” -- Exodus 34:7”
  4. 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”
  5. Matthew “Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. -- Matthew 12:31”
  6. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Justification — A forensic term, opposed to condemnation. As regards its nature, it is the judicial act of God, by which he pardons all the sins of those who believe in Christ, and accounts, accepts, and treats them as righteous in the eye of the law, i.e., as conformed to all its demands. In addition to the pardon (q.v.) of sin, justification declares that all the claims of the law are satisfied in respect of the justified. It is the act of a judge and not of a sovereign. The law is not relaxed or set aside, but is declared to be fulfilled in the strictest sense; an”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Forgiveness of Injuries — Christ set an example of -- Lu 23:34. Commanded -- Mr 11:25; Ro 12:19. To be unlimited -- Mt 18:22; Lu 17:4. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 7:4. Motives to The mercy of God. -- Lu 6:36. Our need of forgiveness. -- Mr 11:25. God's forgiveness of us. -- Eph 4:32. Christ's forgiveness of us. -- Col 3:13. A glory to saints -- Pr 19:11. Should be accompanied by Forbearance. -- Col 3:13. Kindness. -- Ge 45:5-11; Ro 12:20. Blessing and prayer. -- Mt 5:44. Promises to -- Mt 6:14; Lu 6:37. No forgiveness without -- Mt 6:15; Jas 2:13. Illustrated --”
  8. 1 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Thessalonians 4:3: 4:3 God’s will is for you to be holy: The foundation of Christian ethics is not philosophical speculation about virtue but doing God’s will (Rom 12:1-2; Eph 6:6; Heb 10:36; 13:20-21). Holiness (1 Thes 4:4, 7) embraces all of a person’s life (5:23); here it involves staying away from sexual sin (Greek porneia, any sexual union outside marriage).”
  9. Ephesians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ephesians 5:3: These verses contain a caution against all manner of uncleanness, with proper remedies and arguments proposed: some further cautions are added, and other duties recommended. Filthy lusts must be suppressed, in order to the supporting of holy love. Walk in love, and shun fornication and all uncleanness. Fornication is folly committed between unmarried persons. All uncleanness includes all other sorts of filthy lusts, which were too common among the Gentiles. Or covetousness, which being thus connected, and mentioned as a thing which should not be once named, some”
  10. Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 8:12: I will be merciful to their unrighteousness - In order to be their God, as mentioned under the preceding verse, it is requisite that their iniquity should be pardoned; this is provided for by the immolation of Jesus Christ as the covenant sacrifice. By his blood, redemption has been purchased, and all who with penitent hearts believe on the Lord Jesus receive remission of sins, and God remembers their iniquities no more against them so as to punish them on that account. All spiritual evil against the nature and law of God is represented here under the following ter”
  11. Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 16:6: By mercy and truth iniquity is purged,.... Or "expiated" (d), and atoned for: not by the mercy and truth of men; not by alms deeds or showing mercy to the poor; nor by speaking truth and keeping promises, and doing justice between man and man; for, though these are duties to be performed, they will not atone for sin; and may be done by persons destitute of the grace of God, and whose iniquities are not purged or pardoned: but by the mercy and truth of God; through his "mercy", in sending Christ to be the propitiation for sin; and through his "truth", in fulfilling h”
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