Hebrews 13:4
Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
Cross-references
In Hebrews 12:16, the same Greek word for sexual immorality warns against Esau’s godlessness – a direct parallel within Hebrews.
In 1 Corinthians 6:9, the sexually immoral and adulterers are excluded from God’s kingdom, aligning with God’s judgment here.
Revelation 22:15 excludes the sexually immoral from the New Jerusalem, showing the ultimate consequence of the judgment warned in Hebrews 13:4.
1 Timothy 3:2 requires overseers to be 'husband of one wife,' upholding marital fidelity, aligning with the undefiled marriage bed.
Colossians 3:6 warns of God's wrath for sexual sins, reinforcing the consequence of defiling the marriage bed in Hebrews 13:4.
In Ephesians 5:5, no immoral person has inheritance in Christ’s kingdom, reinforcing the warning of judgment.
In Galatians 5:21, those practicing such things will not inherit the kingdom – the same judgment as here.
1 Corinthians 7:2-16 gives extensive teaching on marriage, sexual relations, and avoiding immorality, directly supporting Hebrews 13:4.
Genesis 1:27 establishes creation of male and female — the foundational basis for the marriage honor commanded here.
Malachi 3:5 names adulterers as targets of God's swift judgment, directly supporting the warning in Hebrews 13:4.
Proverbs 5:15-23 exhorts marital faithfulness and warns against adultery, reinforcing the call for an undefiled marriage bed.
Genesis 2:24 defines the one-flesh union of marriage, directly providing the basis for honoring marriage in Hebrews 13:4.
In 1 Corinthians 6:18, Paul commands to flee sexual immorality, reinforcing the warning here against sexually immoral acts.
In 1 Timothy 1:10, the sexually immoral are listed as lawbreakers, reinforcing the warning here that God judges them.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:4, controlling one's body in holiness and honor aligns with the call here to honor marriage and avoid defilement.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:3, abstaining from sexual immorality is God's will for sanctification, directly supporting the command here to keep the marriage bed undefiled.
Genesis 12:17 shows God judging Pharaoh with plagues for taking Sarai, directly illustrating the divine judgment on marital transgression in Hebrews 13:4.
In 1 Timothy 4:3, Paul condemns those who forbid marriage, contrasting with this verse that honors marriage as good and pure.
In Ephesians 5:3, Paul forbids even naming sexual immorality among saints, reinforcing the call to purity in this verse.
Genesis 39:9 shows Joseph refusing adultery with Potiphar's wife, calling it a sin against God — directly exemplifying honoring the marriage bed.
In 2 Corinthians 12:21, Paul mourns unrepentant sexual sin, directly echoing the warning here that God will judge the sexually immoral.
2 Peter 2:10 warns that God judges those indulging in defiling passions—echoing the same judgment on sexual sin.
Exodus 20:14 gives the foundational command 'You shall not commit adultery' — the law that Hebrews 13:4 echoes and warns will be judged.
Leviticus 18:20 explicitly forbids lying with a neighbor's wife — a direct prohibition of adultery that underlies the warning in Hebrews 13:4.
Acts 15:20 commands Gentiles to abstain from sexual immorality—directly aligning with Hebrews' warning that God will judge the sexually immoral.
Ezekiel 18:6 lists righteous acts including not defiling a neighbor's wife—directly paralleling the call to keep the marriage bed undefiled.
Job 31:12 describes adultery as a fire that consumes to Destruction, paralleling the judgment on adulterers in Hebrews 13:4.
In 2 Samuel 11:27, David marries Bathsheba after adultery and murder, and the Lord is displeased — a direct contrast to honoring marriage.
Revelation 21:8 lists the sexually immoral among those facing the lake of fire—confirming the divine judgment Hebrews mentions.
Ruth 4:10 shows Boaz marrying Ruth to redeem her family line — a model of honorable marriage, contrasting with the adultery warned against in Hebrews 13:4.
Proverbs 6:32 bluntly states that adultery destroys oneself, aligning with Hebrews 13:4's warning of divine judgment.
Jeremiah 5:7 records God's complaint that Israel committed adultery despite His provision — showing that God judges such sin, reinforcing Hebrews 13:4's warning.
John 4:18 reveals a woman in an illicit relationship (five husbands, current man not husband)—an example of the sexual sin Hebrews warns against.
Ezekiel 22:11 lists sexual sins like defiling neighbor's wife, daughter-in-law, sister—the same 'sexually immoral and adulterous' that Hebrews warns God will judge.
Deuteronomy 22:22 prescribes death for adultery — illustrating the severe judgment that Hebrews 13:4 warns will come from God.
Matthew 19:6 declares that God joins married couples as one flesh—directly affirming the honor of marriage that Hebrews commands.
Mark 10:11 equates divorce and remarriage with adultery—the same sin Hebrews warns against, reinforcing the call to marital faithfulness.
Genesis 2:22 describes God creating woman for man, establishing the marriage institution that Hebrews 13:4 calls to be honored.
Proverbs 5:22 describes the adulterer being ensnared by his own iniquity, illustrating the inevitable consequences of sexual sin.
Revelation 2:14 cites Balaam's teaching that led Israel into sexual immorality—an example of the sin Hebrews warns will be judged.
In Titus 1:6, elders must be husband of one wife, aligning with the command to keep the marriage bed pure.
In 1 Timothy 3:12, deacons must be husbands of one wife, echoing the call for purity in marriage here.
In Genesis 1:28, the command to be fruitful and multiply establishes marriage as the context for procreation, supporting the honor of marriage.
In Colossians 3:5, believers are to put to death sexual immorality, echoing the command for purity.
Genesis 34:7 reports Jacob's sons' outrage at Shechem's defilement of Dinah — illustrating that sexual immorality is a disgrace and sin.
In Galatians 5:19, sexual immorality is listed as an act of the flesh, corresponding to the sins judged here.
2 Corinthians 5:10 states all will be judged for their deeds, providing the broader judgment context for the specific sexual sins in Hebrews 13:4.
In 1 Corinthians 7:28, Paul affirms marriage is not sin but warns of troubles, complementing the honor of marriage here while acknowledging its challenges.
Proverbs 5:11 warns of bitter regret and physical decay from adultery, similar to the sobering judgment in Hebrews 13:4.
Psalm 50:18 condemns those who keep company with adulterers, reinforcing the seriousness of adultery and the need to avoid complicity.
In 1 Timothy 5:14, younger widows are urged to marry and manage homes, reinforcing the honor of marriage.
In 1 Corinthians 7:38, Paul says marriage is good but celibacy is better, adding a different perspective on the value of marriage compared to this verse.