Risque Bible Verses

Every now and then we find something…something that makes us rethink what we normally do and believe – not that it makes us question our beliefs with Jesus but instead makes us question whether church culture has gotten it right or if the church is off track in a certain area.

These verses might introduce an uncomfortable grey area within the church’s culturally more well-defined boundaries.

So without further ado, here is a short collection of four Bible verses that might not derail your train of thought, but at the very least could introduce a new gray area in these zones of church culture. Also several of these verses are barely discussed, because, well…they aren’t really bumpersticker verses or topics

I really want to hear your thoughts! I’m not really going to push my own interpretations on each verse…I’ll give a short comment on background/context/etc to get the conversation flowing and we’ll see where this takes us.

So, let’s grab a cup of coffee, sit down and talk.

Ecclesiastes 7:15-17

In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these: the righteous perishing in their righteousness, and the wicked living long in their wickedness. Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise— why destroy yourself? Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool— why die before your time?

Ecclesiastes is a rarely talked on book save for chapter 3’s “there is a time for…”

What’s risque about it?

This could be as innocent as the old adage “Don’t be too heavenly minded that you are no earthly good.” Or it could say, sometimes boundaries are there for breaking. I don’t think this means sin, but expectations, norms, and the like…maybe so? Or maybe something else?

1 Corinthians 7:29

What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not.

This is one verse that you never hear about.

What’s risque about it?

This verse is embedded in the widely read chapter on marriage in 1 Corinthians – a standard go-to chapter for marriage and romantic relationships. The church is very entrenched in its above-rapproach stance. Not that this verse overthrows that theology, but this one does introduce an interesting potential gray area in friendships and church relationships. You can fill in the details.

Ruth 3:7-8

When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile. Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down. In the middle of the night something startled the man; he turned—and there was a woman lying at his feet!

What’s risque about it?

Glad you asked! First Ruth was told by Naomi to dress up and go down and meet Boaz. In laymen’s terms: dress up sexy, wait until he passes out and get in bed with him. Even more scandalous? Feet were often used as a euphemism for private parts. You can use your imagination from there.

Doesn’t really fit in well with today’s dating material.

Song of Songs 7:13

The mandrakes send out their fragrance, and at our door is every delicacy, both new and old, that I have stored up for you, my beloved.

What’s risque about it?

Mandrakes are a hallucinogenic and narcotic plant. Basically this verse in this chapter is (introducing) a saying akin to, “Let’s get high and have mind blowing sex.”

Btw I love Song of Songs. There is so much to discuss in this book!

What do you think?

Hope you have a wonderful Friday my friends.

Joel