The Bible speaks clearly about prostitution and condemns the practice throughout Scripture. Here is an overview of some key passages regarding prostitution in the Bible:
Old Testament Teachings on Prostitution
In the Old Testament, prostitution was strictly forbidden under the Mosaic law. Deuteronomy 23:17 states, “None of the daughters of Israel shall be a cult prostitute, and none of the sons of Israel shall be a cult prostitute.” This command prohibited Israelites from engaging in any form of cultic or pagan prostitution practices common among Israel’s neighboring nations.
Likewise, Leviticus 19:29 states, “Do not profane your daughter by making her a prostitute, lest the land fall into prostitution and the land become full of depravity.” This verse forbids parents from prostituting their daughters or allowing them to become prostitutes. It highlights how prostitution leads to wider societal corruption and decay.
Proverbs frequently warns against prostitution and adultery. Proverbs 5:3-5 states, “For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol.” This passage describes how the temptation of prostitution may seem pleasing at first but ultimately leads to ruin and judgment.
Other Old Testament verses that condemn prostitution include Leviticus 21:9, Deuteronomy 22:21, Proverbs 6:25-26, Proverbs 7:10, Ezekiel 16:30-34, and Hosea 4:13-14.
New Testament Teachings on Prostitution
In the New Testament, Jesus continued the strong biblical stance against prostitution and sexual immorality. In Matthew 21:31-32, Jesus praises the repentant prostitutes and tax collectors who believed in Him over the self-righteous chief priests and elders. Though Jesus showed mercy to repentant prostitutes, He continued to uphold the sinfulness of prostitution itself.
1 Corinthians 6:15-16 says, “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, ‘The two will become one flesh.'” Here, Paul strongly condemns prostitution, equating it with a sin against one’s own body which is united to Christ.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, Paul writes, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.” Sexual immorality, including prostitution, goes against God’s will for holy living.
Revelation 19:2 praises God’s judgment on the “great prostitute” of Babylon. This metaphorical prostitute likely represents an immoral pagan culture aligned against God. The passage shows that widespread prostitution and immorality often accompany godlessness on a societal level.
Prostitution Violates God’s Purposes for Sex and Marriage
Throughout Scripture, God designed sex to occur only within the marriage covenant between a husband and wife (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:5). Prostitution exchanges sex merely for money or other purposes outside of marriage. It violates God’s intentions for intimate sexual relations to be reserved for spouses.
Prostitution also often involves various forms of sexual immorality condemned in the Bible including adultery, lust, homosexuality, and child sacrifice. It frequently accompanies idolatry as well (1 Kings 14:24).
Overall, Scripture consistently prohibits prostitution and portrays it as against God’s standards of holiness, sexual morality, and care for the vulnerable. The Bible calls for compassion toward prostitutes as people made in God’s image, yet uncompromisingly condemns the practice of prostitution itself.
Old Testament Examples of Prostitution
Though clearly prohibited, the Old Testament contains many examples of prostitution happening among God’s people and their neighbors:
- Genesis 38 – Judah and Tamar – Judah solicited Tamar who disguised herself as a cultic prostitute
- Genesis 34 – Dinah and Shechem – Dinah compromised by Shechem, described as making her a prostitute
- Genesis 38:15 – Judah and Cult Prostitutes – Judah solicited the services of a cult prostitute, thinking she was Tamar
- Joshua 2 – Rahab – Rahab worked as a prostitute in Jericho prior to helping Israel’s spies
- Joshua 6:17 – Prostitution forbidden in destruction of Jericho – God forbade Israelites from taking cultic prostitutes during Jericho’s destruction
- Judges 8:27 and 33 – Gideon made an ephod which caused Israelites to prostitute themselves with it
- Judges 11:1 – Jephthah was the son of a prostitute
- Judges 16 – Samson and Delilah – Samson compromised by the prostitute Delilah
- 1 Kings 14:24 – Pagan shrine prostitution widespread under Rehoboam
- 1 Kings 15:12 – Cultic prostitution in Judah under Asa’s reforms
- 1 Kings 22:46 – Male cultic prostitution abolished under Jehoshaphat
- 2 Kings 23 – Josiah’s reforms against Judah’s idolatry and prostitution
- Hosea 1:2 – Hosea marries promiscuous wife Gomer as an object lesson
- Amos 2:7 – Israelite men slept with consecrated prostitutes
These examples demonstrate that though forbidden, prostitution was a widespread problem in Israel, often associated with pagan idolatry. Yet God repeatedly called His people back to sexual purity.
New Testament Examples Related to Prostitution
The New Testament records several encounters between Jesus and those caught up in prostitution and sexual sin:
- Matthew 21:31-32 – Jesus references prostitutes who believed in Him
- Luke 7:36-50 – Jesus forgives a sinful woman, likely a prostitute, who anointed His feet
- Luke 15:30 – Prodigal son accused of wasting money on prostitutes
- John 4 – Jesus speaks to Samaritan woman who had five husbands
- John 8:1-11 – Jesus shows grace to woman caught in adultery
- James 2:25 – Rahab the prostitute commended for her faith
In each case, Jesus extended compassion but upheld the sinfulness of sexual immorality itself. His grace offered hope for freedom and a new way of life.
Prostitution in the Ancient World
Prostitution took various forms in ancient cultures surrounding Israel:
- Cultic prostitution – Associated with temples, shrines, and fertility rites in honor of pagan gods and goddesses. Both male and female cultic prostitutes operated at pagan places of worship and religious ceremonies.
- Sacred prostitution – Women serving at pagan temples who were dedicated to a deity and participated in ritual sex.
- Secular prostitution – More common prostitution, such as brothels, street prostitutes, and sex-workers operating outside the context of pagan religion and ritual.
- Sex slavery – Captive women and children forced into sexual servitude, including temple slavery.
Israel was surrounded by cultures that practiced all forms of prostitution. God prohibited His people from following the practices of their pagan neighbors.
Reasons Prostitution is Sinful
Scripture gives many reasons why prostitution is a grievous sin:
- Prostitution joins Christ’s body with a prostitute (1 Corinthians 6:15)
- Prostitution is sexual immorality, violating God’s standards (Ephesians 5:3)
- Prostitution almost always involves adultery and lust (Exodus 20:14, Matthew 5:28)
- Prostitution profits off exploitation and oppression (Exodus 22:21-22)
- Prostitution spreads disease (Proverbs 5:11)
- Prostitution is associated with idolatry and paganism (1 Kings 14:24)
- Prostitution destroys marriages and families (Proverbs 5:10)
- Prostitution enslaves and addicts people (2 Peter 2:19)
- Prostitution abuses sex as intended only for marriage (Hebrews 13:4)
- Prostitution profits from human trafficking and abuse (Zechariah 5:8-9)
Overall, prostitution fundamentally goes against God’s design for sex, marriage, and human dignity revealed throughout Scripture.
God’s Grace for Those Ensnared in Prostitution
Though God hates prostitution itself, He offers hope and restoration to any who turn to Him in repentance:
- God loves prostitutes and calls them to leave that lifestyle (Hosea 2:14-20).
- Forgiveness is available for sexual sin (1 John 1:9).
- God can restore anyone who turns from sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
- Churches should help prostitutes find freedom in Christ (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).
- Christians should show compassion as Jesus did (Matthew 9:9-13).
There is always hope for freedom and redemption in God’s mercy. He offers the way out of both the guilt and bondage of prostitution to all who call on His name.
Church History on Prostitution
Throughout church history, followers of Christ have opposed prostitution while seeking to show grace:
- Early church – Christians rescued and discipled repenting prostitutes despite Roman society’s acceptance of prostitution.
- Middle Ages – Monasteries became safe refuges for those leaving prostitution to start new lives dedicated to God.
- 19th century – Christian activists in Britain and America fought against state-regulated prostitution.
- Salvation Army – Reached out to provide housing, food, and discipleship to rehabilitate prostitutes in the 1800s.
- Present day – Many Christian non-profits work globally to help women escape sex trafficking.
While uncompromising on God’s truths, Christians through history have displayed grace and compassion in working to abolish sexual exploitation.
A Christian View on Laws about Prostitution
Christians hold a range of views on laws regarding prostitution:
- Most concur prostitution violates God’s morals, though they disagree on legislation.
- Some advocate for legalization to regulate it, while most oppose this approach.
- Many support partial decriminalization of prostitution while targeting exploitation, pimps, and traffickers.
- Others argue for continued or increased criminalization as a deterrent aligned with biblical values.
- Almost all agree laws should prioritize prosecuting abusers over targeting women.
- Some see fines or required rehabilitation as better alternatives to imprisonment.
Though reasonable Christians disagree on legislation, most concur that laws should uphold human dignity while being paired with compassion efforts.
A Biblical Perspective on Pornography’s Relationship to Prostitution
Though distinct, pornography and prostitution are closely interrelated from a biblical vantage point:
- Both treat sex as a commodity and person as an object for selfish pleasure.
- Each promotes the degradation and exploitation of others.
- Pornography fuels the demand for prostitution and sex trafficking.
- Many prostitutes are coerced into making pornography.
- Porn captivates users like an addiction, perverting sexuality like prostitution.
- God desires holiness and human dignity to be upheld in all areas of sexuality.
Pornography is fundamentally prostitution and human exploitation in media form. A biblical perspective recognizes God cares deeply about sexual ethics in any expression.
Keys to Overcoming Sexual Sin like Prostitution
For those desiring freedom from prostitution or pornography, God provides hope. Important biblical principles include:
- Repentance and faith in Christ’s forgiveness (Acts 3:19)
- Removing temptations and severing ungodly ties (Proverbs 13:20)
- Renewing the mind by Scripture’s truths (Romans 12:2)
- Developing accountability and community support (James 5:16)
- Living each day in dependence on the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16-17)
- Extending and receiving grace amid failures (Hebrews 4:15-16)
- Persevering and taking thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5)
- Finding identity in Christ rather than past sins (2 Corinthians 5:17)
- Walking in continual repentance and obedience (1 John 1:5-9)
With God’s power and gracious support, anyone entrapped can find liberation from sexual bondage.
Conclusion
Scripture consistently reveals God’s perspective on prostitution as a destructive sin that exploits others and violates His intentions for sexuality and marriage. Yet the Bible also demonstrates God’s amazing grace for all who humbly repent and turn to Him. Christians are called to mirror both God’s holiness and compassion on this issue across cultures.