Sexual Relations Are Spiritual

Sex isn’t primarily biological.  Sex is primarily spiritual.  It is by definition a union, and that’s what Paul said here [1 Cor. 6] when he spoke of sex as a union that takes place, using the language of marriage even with a prostitute.  He referred to Genesis 2, with the language of marriage, to show how serious this is.  In a marriage, the two become one flesh.  If we seriously stopped to consider this, there would be less sexual immorality.  What Paul is referring to here is the utter inappropriateness of such immoral behavior.  Since this is the act of union between a husband and wife, it makes no sense whatsoever to apply it outside of marriage.  He wants participants in such sinful behavior to know that their sin has draconian consequences, be it upon themselves, their families, their community, or in some instances even their nation.  Marriage, with its physical expression, is a mystical union.  It is the picture of the union of Christ and his Church, who are one.  This is why the temptations surrounding it are so severe.  Even those who we think are the best of God’s men and women are not exempt from danger here.

Richard L. Ganz, “Controversies That Almost Killed a Church: Paul’s Counsel to the Corinthians and the Church Today,” p.95