Living Together
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Definition and Context:
The term "living together" typically refers to cohabitation, where two individuals reside in the same dwelling without being married. In contemporary society, this arrangement is often seen among couples who choose to live together before or instead of marriage. From a biblical perspective, the concept of living together outside of marriage is examined through the lens of scriptural teachings on marriage, sexual purity, and community living.

Biblical Teachings on Marriage and Cohabitation:
The Bible consistently upholds marriage as a sacred covenant between a man and a woman. Genesis 2:24 states, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." This verse underscores the biblical model of marriage as the appropriate context for a man and woman to live together and form a family unit.

The New Testament reinforces the sanctity of marriage. Hebrews 13:4 declares, "Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers." This passage highlights the importance of maintaining sexual purity within the bounds of marriage, implying that cohabitation outside of this covenant is contrary to biblical teachings.

Sexual Purity and Cohabitation:
The Bible places a strong emphasis on sexual purity, urging believers to abstain from sexual immorality. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 instructs, "It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: You should avoid sexual immorality; each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God." Cohabitation often involves a sexual relationship outside of marriage, which is viewed as inconsistent with the call to holiness and purity.

Community and Accountability:
Living together outside of marriage can also impact the Christian community and its witness to the world. Ephesians 5:3 advises, "But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed." The early Christian community was called to live in a way that reflected their commitment to Christ, serving as a light to the surrounding culture.

Practical Considerations:
While the Bible does not explicitly address modern cohabitation, the principles of marriage, sexual purity, and community living provide guidance for believers. Christians are encouraged to seek relationships that honor God and align with biblical teachings. Engaging in premarital counseling, seeking accountability from church leaders, and prioritizing spiritual growth are practical steps for those considering marriage.

Conclusion:
The biblical perspective on living together emphasizes the importance of marriage as the appropriate context for cohabitation. By adhering to scriptural teachings on marriage and sexual purity, believers can honor God in their relationships and maintain a strong witness to the world.
Topical Bible Verses
1 Corinthians 7:2
Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
Topicalbible.org

Greek
3786. ophelos -- advantage, help
... 3786 (from , "heap together") -- properly, "something heaped up," ie the ()
a believer in life by living . This gives the "edge," ie ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3786.htm - 6k
Library

Another Kind of Men Living Together in Cities. Fasts of Three Days ...
... Of the Morals of the Catholic Church. Chapter 33. "Another Kind of Men
Living Together in Cities. Fasts of Three Days. 70. Still ...
/.../chapter 33 name kind of.htm

These Things We, who were Living as Friends Together...
... Book VI Chapter VII These things we, who were living as friends together?
These things we, who were living as friends together ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter vii these things we.htm

Revival in the Home
... where there is nothing very definitely wrong between us, just not that complete
oneness and fellowship that ought to characterise Christians living together. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hession/the calvary road/chapter 6 revival in the.htm

writings in connection with the Manich??an controversy
... Chapter 32. --Praise of the Clergy. Chapter 33. --Another Kind of Men Living
Together in Cities. Fasts of Three Days. Chapter 34. ...
/.../augustine/writings in connection with the manichaean controversy /

On the Good of Widowhood.
... of ours, when you shall find in reading that some things pertain not at all unto
your own person, or unto the person of you, who are living together in Christ ...
/.../augustine/on the good of widowhood /on the good of widowhood.htm

Letter cxvii. To a Mother and Daughter Living in Gaul.
... They were accordingly living apart but neither by herself. ... and daughter urging them
to dismiss their companions; or at any rate to live together: and pointing ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxvii to a mother.htm

David's Deserts
... can conceive so noble a personage under such woman's influence as, thank God, is
common now, going down into an honoured old age, and living together with a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/david/sermon iv davids deserts.htm

The Form of Perfect Living and Other Prose Treatises
... is a life, joining together the loving and the loved.". "Truth may be without love,
but it cannot help without it.". RICHARD ROLLE. (The Form of Perfect Living, ...
/.../rolle/the form of perfect living and other prose treatises/title page.htm

A Living Book
... Learned men pore over the fragments, and try to piece them together, to find out ...
any human being; they have nothing to do with the busy world of living men and ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/duff/the bible in its making/chapter i a living book.htm

The Constitution of the World and the Disposition of The
... is red, because he was formed out of red earth, compounded together; for of that
kind is virgin and true earth. God also presented the living creatures, when ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 the constitution of.htm

Resources
Why is living together before marriage considered living in sin? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that Jesus and believers are living stones in 1 Peter 2:4-5? | GotQuestions.org

What is the living hope in 1 Peter 1:3? | GotQuestions.org

Living: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Cohabitating

Living

Living a Christian Life

Living Alone

Living by the Ten Commandments

Living Creature

Living for Today

Living Healthy

Living Holy

Living in Fear

Living in Sin

Living in the Past

Living Together

Living Water

Related Terms

Living-places (17 Occurrences)

Ever-living (20 Occurrences)

Living-space (1 Occurrence)

Well-living (1 Occurrence)

Living-place (83 Occurrences)

Beings (42 Occurrences)

Cedar-wood (22 Occurrences)

Creepeth (17 Occurrences)

Creeping (43 Occurrences)

Creatures (83 Occurrences)

Bird (65 Occurrences)

Vine-gardens (41 Occurrences)

Quick (49 Occurrences)

Hyssop (12 Occurrences)

Cedarwood (5 Occurrences)

Swarm (26 Occurrences)

Swarms (18 Occurrences)

String (12 Occurrences)

Yarn (37 Occurrences)

Childbirth (24 Occurrences)

Baby (23 Occurrences)

Alive (166 Occurrences)

Creature (73 Occurrences)

Safely (83 Occurrences)

Substance (99 Occurrences)

Angle (19 Occurrences)

Countrymen (60 Occurrences)

Yearned (5 Occurrences)

Quarrelsome (9 Occurrences)

Bitter-tongued (4 Occurrences)

Beholder (7 Occurrences)

Center (30 Occurrences)

Creeps (13 Occurrences)

Countryman (19 Occurrences)

Cracks (9 Occurrences)

Swimming (8 Occurrences)

Special (89 Occurrences)

Cedar (61 Occurrences)

Arch (24 Occurrences)

Sort (143 Occurrences)

Bottom (33 Occurrences)

Scarlet (54 Occurrences)

Broke (153 Occurrences)

Aliens (53 Occurrences)

Slain (235 Occurrences)

Stuff (49 Occurrences)

Chaldaeans (65 Occurrences)

Kinds (110 Occurrences)

Behaviour (115 Occurrences)

Animals (224 Occurrences)

Animal (163 Occurrences)

Conduct (93 Occurrences)

Starting (34 Occurrences)

Selection (71 Occurrences)

Sleeping (69 Occurrences)

Bow (248 Occurrences)

Survivors (49 Occurrences)

Cattle (277 Occurrences)

Agreement (341 Occurrences)

Cleansed (76 Occurrences)

Connection (72 Occurrences)

Seemed (89 Occurrences)

Soul (554 Occurrences)

Saviour (157 Occurrences)

Cruel (196 Occurrences)

Crushed (199 Occurrences)

Causing (248 Occurrences)

Shade (67 Occurrences)

Quite (55 Occurrences)

Cherubim (63 Occurrences)

Sounds (64 Occurrences)

Quakes (6 Occurrences)

Alien (102 Occurrences)

Victim (3 Occurrences)

Vital (2 Occurrences)

Kebar (8 Occurrences)

Bowls (47 Occurrences)

Bondage (55 Occurrences)

Bowed (150 Occurrences)

Living to Please God
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