What does the Bible say about unmarried people living together?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that sexual intimacy belongs within the covenant of marriage, so unmarried couples should not live together in a way that involves sexual relations or imitates marriage without its covenant commitment. Genesis 2:24 presents marriage as a man and woman becoming one flesh, and Hebrews 13:4 calls believers to honor marriage and keep the marriage bed pure. Scripture warns against sexual immorality and calls Christians to flee it, as in 1 Corinthians 6:18 and Ephesians 5:3. Yet Christ meets sinners with truth and mercy: John 4:16-18 exposes sin without rejecting the woman, and 1 John 1:9 promises forgiveness to those who confess. Believers are therefore called to repentance, chastity, wise boundaries, and faithful obedience.