Is Masturbation A Sin In The Bible?
All over the internet the questions have been asked. Is touching yourself a sin? Is jerking off a sin? We're going to look at this from a biblical perspective. Here's the overview.
- The "lust of the flesh" (1 John 2:16) is sin.
- Typically, emphasis on biblical and holy sexuality will call out masturbation as being a sin.
- The Bible nowhere explicitly addresses masturbation as sin.
- Masturbation may not be specifically called sinful but since it is often the offshoot of declared sins in Scripture, it would be sinful, at least in those cases.
Early Church Fathers on Masturbation
| Church Father / Work | Direct Quote or Paraphrase | Context / Meaning |
|---|
| Clement of Alexandria (c. 150–215) – Paedagogus II.10 | “Those who sow in the flesh shall reap corruption… we must not abuse the body by unbridled pleasure, but keep it in subjection.” | Clement teaches moderation and purity; condemns self-indulgence and lustful acts as corruption of the flesh. |
| Tertullian (c. 155–240) – On Exhortation to Chastity 9 | “He who is truly continent abstains even from the secret defilement of the body.” | Tertullian viewed sexual purity as integral to holiness; implies rejection of solitary sexual acts. |
| Origen (c. 184–253) – Commentary on Matthew 15:19 | “We must flee the causes of impurity; for even secret sins defile the temple of God.” | Origen links sexual purity to the indwelling of the Spirit, condemning any self-polluting acts. |
| Lactantius (c. 250–325) – Divine Institutes VI.23 | “Pleasure must be bridled, lest reason be overthrown… to excite lust for its own sake is against nature.” | Warns against lustful stimulation detached from procreation, applying to masturbation as well. |
| John Chrysostom (c. 347–407) – Homily on Matthew 5:28 | “He who has looked with lust has already committed adultery… what shall we say of him who defiles himself alone?” | Chrysostom equates lustful self-gratification with spiritual adultery and impurity. |
| Jerome (c. 347–420) – Letter to Eustochium | “The body of a virgin is the temple of Christ; do not let it be defiled even by secret thought.” | Jerome emphasizes inner chastity and purity of mind, condemning all lustful actions. |
| Augustine of Hippo (354–430) – Confessions VIII.11; City of God XIV.23 | “Lust is disobedience of the flesh… pleasure sought for itself, not for offspring, is sin.” | Augustine defines sin in sexual desire pursued apart from its God-given purpose—includes masturbation. |
| Basil the Great (c. 330–379) – Long Rules 8 | “The man who defiles himself in secret is to be judged as fornicator.” | Basil directly classifies solitary sexual acts as fornication in spirit. |
| John Cassian (c. 360–435) – Conferences 12.2 | “Even without a partner, impure thoughts can inflame and defile the body.” | Cassian warns of spiritual warfare against lust and inner impurity. |
| Gregory of Nyssa (c. 335–395) – On Virginity 18 | “To be ruled by passion is slavery; continence is the mark of divine likeness.” | Encourages mastery over bodily impulses and equates lustful indulgence with spiritual decay. |
More Information About Masturbation from Across The Web
- Masturbation isn't a "sin" but it is a sin when there's lustful thoughts or actions.
- Christians have traditionally called masturbation a sin.
- Masturbation or it's descriptive action are not clearly shown in the Bible.
- Some people say that they use masturbation to find sexual release when they cannot control their desire or satisfy their desires through marriage. It for sure would be sinful if a person masturbates accompanied by declared sins in the New Testament like pride, covetousness and sexual immorality which would include porn use and lustful thoughts.Bible Verses About Not Giving Up (Powerful)
Now let's compare sexual intercourse vs masturbation
Hormonal Effects: Sexual Intercourse vs. Masturbation
| Phase | Hormone | Masturbation | Sexual Intercourse | Key Differences / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before (Arousal / Anticipation) | Prolactin | 🔹 Baseline or mild rise | 🔹 Baseline or mild rise | Similar; both low before orgasm. |
| Cortisol | 🔹 Slight rise (self-stimulation stress + effort) | 🔹 Moderate rise (social + emotional arousal) | Intercourse often evokes greater emotional/sympathetic activation. | |
| Testosterone | 🔹 Mild increase | 🔺 Moderate increase (stronger sexual excitement) | Partnered arousal produces a stronger testosterone surge. | |
| During (Orgasm / Ejaculation) | Prolactin | 🔺 Sharp increase (200–400%) | 🔺 Higher peak (~400–500%) | Intercourse produces a significantly greater prolactin surge, linked to higher satisfaction and refractory period. |
| Cortisol | 🔺 Short-term spike | 🔺 Moderate, balanced spike | Intercourse causes a healthier, regulated stress pattern vs. masturbation’s sharper peak. | |
| Testosterone | 🔻 Slight dip or stable | 🔹 Stable or slight rise | Intercourse may sustain testosterone via partner interaction and oxytocin release. | |
| After (Refractory / Recovery) | Prolactin | 🔺 Elevated 30–60 min, returns to baseline | 🔺 Elevated longer (~1–2 hrs) | Longer elevation after intercourse; correlated with deeper relaxation and bonding. |
| Cortisol | 🔻 Returns to baseline within ~1 hr | 🔻 Returns quickly; may dip below baseline (relaxation) | Sex typically lowers stress more effectively afterward. | |
| Testosterone | 🔻 Brief drop, normal in few hrs | 🔹 Normal or slightly higher post-act | Regular intercourse is associated with better long-term testosterone balance. |
Summary Comparison
| Aspect | Masturbation | Sexual Intercourse |
|---|---|---|
| Hormonal Intensity | Moderate | Higher, more balanced |
| Prolactin Surge | Present (shorter) | Stronger and longer-lasting |
| Cortisol Response | Higher peaks, shorter recovery | More moderate rise, better post-relaxation |
| Testosterone Dynamics | Mild fluctuations | Healthier maintenance and periodic boosts |
| Emotional / Neural Effects | Quick reward, transient | Stronger dopamine-oxytocin bonding, longer satisfaction |
| Aftereffects | Temporary relaxation, sometimes fatigue | Deep relaxation, positive mood, improved intimacy |
Key Scientific References
Brody & Krüger (2006) — Post-orgasmic prolactin increase after intercourse vs. masturbation. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy.
Exton et al. (2001) — Endocrine response to orgasm after sexual abstinence. World Journal of Urology.
Carmichael et al. (1994) — Neuroendocrine and behavioral responses to sexual activity in men and women. Archives of Sexual Behavior.
Clearly sexual intercourse between husband and wife is better healthwise than masturbation. And again, we clealy see God's design.
Does the Bible Say Masturbation is Sin?
The Bible nowhere shares explicitly that masturbation, or the act of masturbating is a sin. Even the sin of Onanism is the sin of deception and not leaving an heir for his deceased brother according to the law, for which God was upset with him.
Onan's sin in Genesis 38:9-10
Genesis 38:9-10
9 And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother.10 And the thing which he did displeased the Lord: wherefore he slew him also.
The Bible says that he spilled his seed; it did not say that he masturbated or touched himself to spill his seed, it just says that he spilled his seed. So biblical scholars with faithfulness to the text can't read anything into the text that it does not say. However, masturbation if used (as it often is) with clearly outlined or alluded to sins in the bible, would be sinful.
Here are sins outlined by the Apostle Paul:
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Does the Bible Say Masturbation is Sin?
Here's a list of all manner of unrighteousness in Romans 1:29:31
Romans 1:28-31
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, 3sexual immorality, wickedness, 4covetousness, 5maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 6undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, 7unforgiving, unmerciful;
Again, no hint of masturbation or the act of masturbating, but it shows many sins that may accompany or be the progenitors of an act of masturbation and these would be sinful.
Pride, sexually immorality, strife, and covetousness from this list seem fitting.
What Does God and the Bible Say About Masturbation?
Masturbation is Sin When Driven By Fleshly Lusts that are Prohibited In The Scriptures
- Masturbating by watching and lusting to pornography would be sin.
- Masturbating about your friend's wife would be sin.
- Masturbation accompanied by any declared sin in The New Testament, would be sin.
Masturbation doesn't happen in isolation apart from thoughts. So, it must be looked at holistically and judged by righteous judgment by the power of the Holy Spirit.
I leave with you this scripture:
James 1:12-21
- 12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
- 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
- 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
- 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
- 16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
- 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
- 18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
- 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
- 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
- 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Masturbation would be sinful if combined with sins mentioned in the Holy Scriptures, which is often the case.
We pray that this has been a blessing to you in your walk with the Lord. May you ever be with Lord, in Jesus' Name.
