Does having sex make you married to the person? "The two will become one flesh"

[AgnosticBoy]

Some Christians believe that having sex with someone amounts to marrying them. 1 Corinthians 6:16 tends to be used as support:
16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”
(emphasis added)

For Discussion:
1. First, what is considered 'sex' in the Bible? Does non-intercourse sex count?
2. Does sex constitute marriage? Does the 1 Corinthians passage or any other biblical passage support that view?

 

[AgnosticBoy]

1. First, what is considered 'sex' in the Bible? Does non-intercourse sex count?

Interestingly, I couldn't find any good online sources that deals with what counts as sex in the Bible. Most just go through explaining what can and can't be done and when, while not addressing meaning. This is why I'm glad I invested in a biblical encyclopedia a few years ago so I'll quote from it.

"Sexual intercourse is not referred to directly, but rather by expressions such as "becoming one flesh with" (Gen. 2:24), "knowing" (4:1, 17, 25; Jdg. 19:25, and lying with" someone (Gen. 34:7; Num. 31:17, 18; Deut. 22:22).

Source: Douglas, J.D. and Merrill C. Tenney. "Sex." Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary, revised by Moises Silva, Zondervan, 2011, pg. 1320.

I think another way to see what counts as sex is to see examples of sex acts in the Bible. I know there aren't any mention about oral sex, but is there any other sex for pleasure (non-intercourse?) as opposed to just sex for procreation (intercourse)?

I've found some examples that suggest sex could just be for pleasure. Like Proverbs 5:18-19 talking about a man being satisfied with his wife's breasts. Of course, sex is also for procreation since God said to "be fruitful and multiply".

So for now, I lean towards any act involving sexual gratification/stimulation as counting for sex. Had the Bible only talked about sex being only for procreation then I would've said otherwise.

2. Does sex constitute marriage? Does the 1 Corinthians passage or any other biblical passage support that view?

I like this explanation that makes a point that if any sex meant marriage, then having sex with your neighbor's wife would make you married (polygamy?). And also God wouldn't be against having sex with prostitutes just as long as the involved parties stay married.

1. According to the Bible, Sex Does Not Constitute Marriage Because Then There Would Be No Such Thing as Fornication and Sexual Sin in Singleness

When you have sex with someone, there is a type of “oneness” being experienced. But the reason this type of oneness is sin is precisely because it’s occurring outside of marriage. In 1 Corinthians 6:15-20, Paul rebukes Christians for becoming “one” with a prostitute not because they are marrying a prostitute but because they are becoming one flesh with someone who is not their spouse – which is sexual sin.

So according to the Bible, sex does not make you married in the eyes of God.

Source: https://applygodsword.com/according...text=In 1 Corinthians 6:15,in the eyes of God.

 

[Alter2Ego]

Some Christians believe that having sex with someone amounts to marrying them. 1 Corinthians 6:16 tends to be used as support:
16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”
(emphasis added)

For Discussion:
1. First, what is considered 'sex' in the Bible? Does non-intercourse sex count?
2. Does sex constitute marriage? Does the 1 Corinthians passage or any other biblical passage support that view?

1. Any type of sexual behavior is considered unclean among people that are unmarried. Remember the Bill Clinton episode with Monica Lewinsky?

2. Sex does not constitute marriage. Ask any prostitute who has had sex with numerous strangers.

The Bible describes unmarried sexual activity as fornication and condemns it as sinful behavior.