poverty
The Delightful Duty of Married Sex
By Tilly Dillehay at Desiring God
· June 5, 2026
· 7 min read
For married Christians, sex is a strange combination of function and fun, discipline and desire, heaven and hobby. But for the Christian wife in particular, married sex can also represent mystery, frustration, or even shame. Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 7:2–5 are wonderfully direct and clarifying,
Key takeaway But for the Christian wife in particular, married sex can also represent mystery, frustration, or even shame.
Why this matters
The concept of married sex as a duty and delight, as outlined in 1 Corinthians 7:2-5, has implications for Christian relationships and charitable endeavors. In the context of poverty and humanitarian relief, healthy marriages and families are crucial for building strong, resilient communities. When Christian couples prioritize their relationships and understand the biblical perspective on married sex, they are better equipped to serve others and address issues of poverty and inequality. Furthermore, a strong foundation of mutual respect, trust, and intimacy in marriage can foster a sense of stability and security, allowing couples to focus on giving back to their communities and supporting faith-based initiatives. By embracing the biblical view of married sex as a duty and delight, Christian couples can cultivate healthier relationships and, in turn, contribute to the well-being of those around them, ultimately advancing the mission of Christian charity and humanitarian relief.
About this story
Original reporting by Desiring God . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Desiring God . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: poverty ·
Published: June 5, 2026 ·
Source: Desiring God ·
Reading time: 7 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? For married Christians, sex is a strange combination of function and fun, discipline and desire, heaven and hobby. But for the Christian wife in particular, married sex can also represent mystery, frustration, or even shame. Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 7:2–5 are wonderfully direct and clarifying,
When was this published? This article was first published on June 5, 2026 by Desiring God and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Tilly Dillehay at Desiring God. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more poverty coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .