Expert: Edward Bode - 3/15/2010

Question
I was recently asked by someone why it is a sin to have sex before marriage. While I know its a sin and would not do it, I wondered how to answer this person as the person's comment was that he knows adultery is wrong as well as gay marriage, but the bible doesn't condemn pre-marital sex he says. This is a somewhat religious guy and so this suprised me, but I didn't have a quote to back up my knowledge that any sex outside marriage is a sin.

Answer
In the New Testament, Paul speaks against fornication in these texts:  1 Cor 6:13-18, 7:2-9, 10:8 [reference is to Num 25:1-18]; 2 Cor 12:21; Gal 5:19; Eph 5:3-5; Col 3:5.  The key word in these verses is "porneia" [Greek for "fornication"], sometimes appearing in English translations as "immorality."
The Catechism of the Catholic Church sums up the Church's teaching in this way: Fornication is gravely contrary to the dignity of persons and of human sexuality, which is naturally ordered to the good of spouses and the generation and education of children; also a grave scandal when there is corruption of the young.
I hope these thoughts help, Michael.  If you wish more, please feel free to write again.
Best wishes.