Imagined Conflict Between Biblical Verses On Premarital Sex

Premarital sex, though it is far from the most important moral issue addressed by the Bible and far from the most pressing issue facing Western culture, is a matter that needs to be addressed in the light of reason, as with all other matters.  Christians who claim to want to understand what the Bible says about premarital sex are prone to surround themselves with non sequiturs and red herrings rather than actually admit what the Bible does and does not say about the subject.  In fact, some might even assert that 1 Corinthians 7:2 conflicts with what Exodus 22:16-17 says about premarital sex.

A simple analysis reveals the coherence of both chapters, refuting this assertion.  1 Corinthians 7:2 says that it is better to marry than to commit acts of sexual immorality (including having noncommittal sex), while Exodus 22:16-17 clarifies that consensual sex before a legal marriage is not sinful if marriage follows.  The two parts of the Bible in question simply describe different aspects of a consistent teaching on premarital sex.  The New Testament does not abolish or alter what Mosaic Law says about premarital sex any more than the New Testament abolishes what the Old Testament says about kidnapping, sorcery, or murder.

There is thus nothing about 1 Corinthians 7:2 that contradicts Exodus 22:16-17.  Even if the two passages were in conflict, 1 Corinthians would be the book to ignore: the Old Testament can be true even if the New Testament is not, but the New Testament cannot be true if the Old Testament is not.  As part of Mosaic Law, Exodus is more foundational and important than 1 Corinthians alone could ever be.  Of course, there is no disparity between them.

A single person who needs a sexual outlet is always free to marry.  In some cases, marriage is not only a possibility, but an ideal thing.  This is what 1 Corinthians 7:2 teaches.  At the same time, a single person who has premarital, consensual sex with a single of the opposite gender has not sinned simply because he or she had premarital sex.  Lifelong committment can still be achieved following sex before a legal marriage.  This is what Exodus 22:16-17 teaches.

It is more common for Christians to just ignore Exodus 22:16-17 than it is for them to specifically say that God's own moral revelation on the subject of premarital sex was eventually replaced by a better moral revelation.  However, both of these stances are built on heinous theology that distorts the natures of the Old Testament and New Testament alike.  If one examines both Exodus and 1 Corinthians without making assumptions, it becomes clear that there is no conflict whatsoever.