Pegging as a Sin in Christian Ethics and Morality
The concept of "pegging" is not directly addressed in biblical texts or traditional Christian theological discussions, as it refers to a specific sexual act that is not explicitly named or described in scripture. Therefore, any discussion of it within a Christian ethical framework relies on broader principles concerning sexual morality, sin, and human relationships.
Sin, in a general sense, is understood as any action, thought, or word that goes against God's will or law [5]. It originates from an evil heart [3] and is a universal human condition, as all human beings are born with a sinful nature [4, 8]. The Bible describes various categories of sin, including sins of ignorance, rash swearing, breach of trust, and fraud [1]. Deliberate sins are often characterized by an insolent or arrogant attitude, representing rebellion against God [6]. The apostle Paul emphasizes the universal sinfulness of both Gentiles and Jews, stating that no one can find favor with God through their own actions [7].
Specific sexual acts are discussed in the Bible, often in the context of marriage and purity. Adultery, for instance, is explicitly condemned as a capital crime in the Old Testament [9]. The New Testament also calls for purity within the church, urging believers to purge out "old leaven" which can refer to scandalous members or corrupting influences [10]. While the Bible does not list every conceivable sexual act, it establishes principles for sexual conduct, particularly within the covenant of marriage.
The broader understanding of sin includes actions that are not explicitly named but violate underlying moral principles. For example, malice, which springs from an evil heart, is forbidden [3]. The concept of imputation in doctrinal language refers to actions or words reckoned to a person, such as the sin of Adam being imputed to all descendants, or the righteousness of Christ being imputed to believers [2]. This highlights that sin is not merely about individual acts but also about a state of being and its consequences.
When considering sexual acts not explicitly mentioned, ethical reasoning often turns to principles such as mutual consent, the sanctity of marriage, and whether an act is considered to be in line with the created order or promotes love and respect within a relationship. Some interpretations emphasize that sexual intimacy is intended for procreation and union within marriage, while others focus on the unitive aspect and mutual pleasure within those bounds.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Trespass Offering — Esteemed as a sin offering, and frequently so called -- Le 5:6,9. To be offered For concealing knowledge of a crime. -- Le 5:1. For involuntarily touching unclean things. -- Le 5:2,3. For rash swearing. -- Le 5:4. For sins of ignorance in holy things. -- Le 5:15. For any sin of ignorance. -- Le 5:17. For breach of trust, or fraud. -- Le 6:2-5. Was a most holy offering -- Le 14:13. Consisted of A she lamb or kid. -- Le 5:6. A ram without blemish. -- Le 5:15; 6:6. Two turtle doves by those unable to bring a lamb. -- Le 5:7-10. A meat offering by the”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Imputation — Is used to designate any action or word or thing as reckoned to a person. Thus in doctrinal language (1) the sin of Adam is imputed to all his descendants, i.e., it is reckoned as theirs, and they are dealt with therefore as guilty; (2) the righteousness of Christ is imputed to them that believe in him, or so attributed to them as to be considered their own; and (3) our sins are imputed to Christ, i.e., he assumed our "law-place," undertook to answer the demands of justice for our sins. In all these cases the nature of imputation is the same (Rom. 5:12-1”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Malice — Springs from an evil heart -- Mt 15:19,20; Ga 5:19. Forbidden -- 1Co 14:20; Col 3:8; Eph 4:26,27. A hindrance to growth in grace -- 1Pe 2:1,2. Incompatible with the worship of God -- 1Co 5:7,8. Christian liberty not to be a cloak for -- 1Pe 2:16. Saints avoid -- Job 31:29,30; Ps 35:12-14. The wicked Speak with. -- 3Jo 1:10. Live in. -- Tit 3:3. Conceive. -- Ps 7:14. Filled with. -- Ro 1:29. Visit saints with. -- Ps 83:3; Mt 22:6. Pray for those who injure you through -- Mt 5:44. Brings its own punishment -- Ps 7:15,16. God requites -- Ps 10:14; Eze 36:5. Pun”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 30:8: vanity--all sorts of sinful acts (Job 11:11; Isa 5:18).”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 19:13: 19:13 An individual who commits deliberate sins does so with an insolent (86:14) or arrogant (119:21, 69) attitude. • The great sin is rebellion (see 32:1).”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 7.20: pronounced in the Scriptures. In the first place, Scripture clearly teaches us that we are born vicious and perverse. The cavil of Pelagius was frivolous, that sin proceeded from Adam by imitation. For David, while still enclosed in his mother’s womb, could not be an imitator of Adam, yet he confesses that he was conceived in sin, ( Psalm 51:5 .) A fuller proof of this matter, and a more ample definition of original sin, may be found in the Institutes; 171 171 Calvin’s Institutes, Book II, chap. 1, 2, 3. yet here, in a single word”
- Leviticus (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Leviticus 20:10: Sins against the seventh commandment are here ordered to be severely punished. These are sins which, of all others, fools are most apt to make a mock at; but God would teach those the heinousness of the guilt by the extremity of the punishment that would not otherwise be taught it. I. Lying with another man's wife was made a capital crime. The adulterer and the adulteress that had joined in the sin must fall alike under the sentence: they shall both be put to death, Lev 20:10. Long before this, even in Job's time, this was reputed a heinous crime and an iniqui”
- 1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 5:7: Here the apostle exhorts them to purity, by purging out the old leaven. In this observe, I. The advice itself, addressed either, 1. To the church in general; and so purging out the old leaven, that they might be a new lump, refers to the putting away from themselves that wicked person, Co1 5:13. Note, Christian churches should be pure and holy, and not bear such corrupt and scandalous members. They are to be unleavened, and should endure no such heterogeneous mixture to sour and corrupt them. Or, 2. To each particular member of the church. And so it implies ”