Bible Commentary | 1 Corinthians 7:2-5

Bruce Wilkinson wrote, "Sexual immorality is clearly the most widespread and destructive of all sins in our culture, yet it is rarely preached about or openly discussed in Christian circles.  Left unchallenged, it eventually rules and ruins the lives of those under its dominion.  Soon these men and women lose all hope of ever being free and clean again, and they slide into a dark, solitary prison of defeat and despair."  Bruce Wilkinson, Set Apart: Discovering Personal Victory Through Holiness, p. 140.

Bruce Wilkinson tells a sad story about the importance of the church teaching about God's standard for sexual conduct.  At a Bible conference in a hotel that he was speaking at, many of the attendees were scattered around the pool hanging out.  He engaged several of them in conversation.  One young woman said announced that she had flown in from another state with her boyfriend.  She said that her boyfriend wasn't at the pool because he was upstairs in their room watching a baseball game.  Bruce asked if he was attending the conference as well, and she said no because he wasn't yet a Christian, but he still wanted to come and stay with her at the hotel.  As Bruce continued to prod, the young woman unashamedly said that they had been living together for almost two years.  Bruce said, "Are you a Christian?"  She said she had been a Christian for almost five years.  Bruce asked, "How do you think God feels about the two of you living together?"  "It's fine!" she answered with a smile.  "I think he's going to become a Christian, and when he does, then we'll be married."  Bruce asked, "If God were to say that you shouldn't have sex or live together before marriage, what would you say?"  She said, "It would be hard, but I would have to ask him to leave.  Why?"  Bruce said, "How about going up to your room and bringing down your Bible.  I'll show you something important about the will of God for you and you boyfriend.  I think you'll be very interested."  Off she went.  Bruce had her read several verses aloud.  Then she became uncomfortable for the first time.  "Then what I'm doing is fornication -- and a big sin in God's eyes, right?"  Bruce nodded.  "Well, then my boyfriend has to leave.  We can't live together until we are might.  Right?  Bruce nodded.  Then she said, "I grew up in a totally non-Christian home.  I didn't know anyone who was a Christian.  All my friends slept together, so I never thought much about it.  But I've been a Christian for five years, going to church almost every week.  How come no one ever told me that sleeping together before you were married was a sin?"  Bruce Wilkinson, Set Apart: Discovering Personal Victory Through Holiness, p. 140.

In his book Set Apart: Discovering Personal Victory Through Holiness (p. 146), Bruce Wilkinson offers the following outline of this passage.  He calls it, "The Lord's Provision for Sexual Temptations:"

1. Each person should marry. (v. 2)
1. "This passage is the most direct revelation regarding God's plan to provide for our sex drives in a way that pleases Him."
2. Married partners are to fulfill their sexual duties. (v. 3)
1. "You see, marriage isn't the answer [to sexual temptation], sex within marriage is."
3. The Lord gave authority over your body to your spouse. (v. 4)
4. Do not deprive one another of sex. (v. 5)
5. You may deprive each other of sex under only four conditions. (v. 5)
1. When you both agree.
2. When you both agree to delay it for a time.
3. Sex can be set aside to devote yourselves to prayer.  
4. Sex can be deprived until the two of you agree to come together.
6. If you deprive each other, you open yourself to attack. (v. 5)
7. You lack self-control when you deprive each other of sex. (v. 5)

In the Daily Bible Study Series (The Letters to the Corinthians, p. 59), William Barclay sums up the heart of this passage well: "This sounds like a low view of marriage.  It sounds as if Paul is advising marriage in order to avoid a worse fate.  In point of fact he is honestly facing the facts and laying down a rule which is universally true.  No man should attempt a way of life for which he is naturally unfitted; no man should set out on a pathway whereby he deliberately surrounds himself with temptations.  Paul knew very well that all men are not made the same.  'Examine yourself,' he says, and choose that way of life in which you can best live the Christian life, and don't attempt an unnatural standard which is impossible and even wrong for you being such as you are."

2 But because sexual immorality is so common, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman should have sexual relations with her own husband. 

Sexual immorality

Greek: porneia (Strong's number: 4202; Goodrick/Kohlenberger number: 4518).

Used 25 times in the NT.  

The Complete Word Study Dictionary said porneia is a noun that comes from the verb porneuo (4203), which means "to commit fornication or any sexual sin."  Porneia means fornication, lewdness, or any sexual sin.

Vine's says porneia is used of illicit sexual intercourse in John 8:41; Acts 15:20, 29; 21:25; 1 Cor. 5:1; 6:13, 18; 2 Cor. 12:21; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 5:3; Col. 3:5; 1 Thess. 4:3; Rev. 2:21; 9:21.  At times the word includes adultery (1 Cor 7:2; Mt 5:32; Mt 19:9); and at times it is distinguished from adultery (Mt 15:19; Mk 7:21).  

The HCSB Study Bible (note on 1 Cor 5:1-6:20, p. 1966) says, "The Greek noun porneia was a general term for all sexual activity outside marriage, so the term can be translated fornication or sexual immorality.  Related terms include porneuo, meaning to commit sexual immorality (1 Cor 6:18; 10:18); porne, meaning an immoral woman or a female prostitute (1 Cor 6:15-16); and pornos, meaning an immoral person or a male prostsitute (1 Cor 5:9-11; 6:9)."  

The NKJV Word Study Bible (Mt 15:19) says, "Taken from the word for harlotry, this word refers to any type of illicit sexual intercourse, including prostitution, whoredom, incest, licentiousness, adultery, deviant sexual behaviors, and habitual immorality.  It is the word from which we get 'pornography'... In addition to describing physical immorality, this word is also used of spiritual unfaithfulness -- unfaithfulness between the covenant relationship between God and His people in the form of idolatry (Rev 2:21)."  

The New International Encyclopedia of Bible words (p. 24) says, "[P]orneia is a general term for any kind of illicit sexual intercourse.  In later rabbinic thought it included prostitution, forbidden marriages (such as between relatives), incest, and all kinds of unnatural intercourse."

In their book Intimate Issues, Linda Dillow and Lorraine Pintus say, "This [fornication] covers all forms of sexual activity or intercourse outside of marriage."

In his book What Does the Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality, Kevin DeYoung wrote, "The leading New Testament lexicon defines porneia as unlawful sexual intercourse, prostitution, unchastity, fornication."

The ESV Study Bible (Mt 5:31-32) says, "Sexual immorality (Gk. porneia) can refer to adultery (Jer. 3:9; see also the use of the term in Sir. 23:23), prostitution (Nah. 3:4; 1 Cor. 6:13, 18), incest (1 Cor. 5:1), or fornication (Gen. 38:24; John 8:41). Scripture prohibits any kind of sexual intercourse outside of marriage (thus forbidding the practice of homosexuality and bestiality as well)."

The NKJV Study Bible (Mt 5:31-32) says, "Sexual immorality is general term that includes premarital sex, extramarital infidelity, homosexuality, and bestiality (Mt 19:3–12)."

The NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible (Mt 5:32) says porneia is "the broadest term for sexual sin. It refers to sexual relations with any other person besides one’s monogamous heterosexual spouse."

The NLT Study Bible (1 Thess 4:3) says that porneia refers to "any sexual union outside marriage."

The CSB Study Bible (1 Thess 4:3) says that porneia includes premarital sex, incest, homosexuality, bestiality, and adultery.

The NKJV Study (1 Thess 4:3-5) defines porneia as "any sexual activity outside of marriage."  It goes on to say that "The Greek word used by Paul is the term from which we get the English word pornography (1 Thess 4:3). It is a broad term, encompassing any illicit sexual activity."  It lists the following sexual activities as prohibited by Scripture:

1. Lust may be a strong desire for anything. But in sexual contexts, lust is defined as “the sinful desire for illicit sex.” Lust is forbidden by Scripture because it gives birth to sin, which leads to death (4:5; Matt. 5:28; Rom. 13:13; James 1:14, 15; 1 Pet. 4:3).
2. Adultery is extramarital sex. It is strictly condemned in the Scriptures. The seriousness of this sin is demonstrated by its inclusion in the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:14) and by its warranting the death penalty under Old Testament law (Lev. 20:10). Proverbs states that it “destroys” the guilty party’s soul (Prov. 6:32).
3. Incest, sex with a close relative other than one’s spouse, is prohibited and said to be worthy of the sentence of death (Lev. 18:6–18; 20:11, 12, 17; Deut. 27:20, 22, 23).
4. Homosexuality, sex with a person of one’s own gender, is condemned in no uncertain terms in several Old and New Testament passages (Lev. 18:22; 20:13; Rom. 1:26, 27; 1 Cor. 6:9; 1 Tim. 1:10).
5. Bestiality is sex with an animal. This sexually deviant behavior is outlawed in the Bible. It was punished with death in ancient Israel (Ex. 22:19; Lev. 18:23; 20:15, 16; Deut. 27:21).

In their book Intimate Issues, Linda Dillow and Lorraine Pintus cite ten sexual sins:

1. Fornication: This covers all forms of sexual activity or intercourse outside of marriage (1 Cor 7:2; 1 Thess 4:3), including sex with a prostitute (1 Cor 6:13, 15-16), and adultery (Mt 5:32).
2. Adultery: Adultery, as sexual intercourse with someone other than one's spouse, was forbidden by one of the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:14; see also v. 17; Dt 5:18).  In Old Testament times, it was a sin punishable by death (Lev 20:10).  Jesus extended, or perhaps clarified, the definition of adultery to include also a man's impure, lustful thoughts toward women in his heart (Mt 5:28).
3. Homosexuality: Same-sex sexual activity, whether man-to-man or woman-to-woman, is proscribed throughout Scripture as contrary to God's creation of humanity as male and female and thus 'unnatural' (Lev 18:22; 20:13; Rm 1:27; 1 Cor 6:9; 1 Tim 1:10).  
4. Impurity: This refers to moral filth or dirtiness and living in a degenerate manner (James 1:21; Rev 22:11).  Those who indulge in this kind of lifestyle are tainted and defiled (Titus 1:15; 2 Pt 2:10).  Impurity in one's heart and thoughts leads to sexual immorality, which is evidence of moral depravity and God's judgment (Rm 1:24).
5. Orgies: It is inappropriate and sinful for married couples to participate in sex orgies with one or several other couples, as this violates principles (1), (2), and (4) above.  The New Testament makes clear that orgies are part and parcel of a godless, worldly lifestyle, often involving excessive drinking as well (Rm 13:13; 1 Pt 4:3).  This prohibition would include any type of public sex or voyeurism.
6. Prostitution: To engage in sexual activity with a prostitute, normally for payment, violates clear scriptural standards and is consistently condemned in Scripture (Lev 19:29; Dt 23:17; Pr 5:1-23; 7:4; 1 Cor 6:18).
7. Lust: This does not refer to a strong sexual desire a husband has for his wife and vice versa -- which is God-given -- but to an indiscriminate, unrestrained sexual desire for men or women not one's marriage partner (Mt 5:28; Mk 7:21-22; Rm 1:26-27; Eph 4:19).  This involves sensuality, gratifying one's senses in an intemperate manner (Gal 5:16; 1 Thess 4:5; Rev 18:9).  Of course, the use of any type of pornography by individuals, whether married or not, would be prohibited.
8. Sodomy: In the Old Testament, "sodomy" refers to men's sexual relations with other men (Gen 19:5-7; Lev 18:22; 20:13; Jde 7).  In contemporary English, the word refers to unnatural sexual intercourse, whether of one male with another or of a personal with an animal.
9. Obscenity and inappropriate sexual language: In Eph 5:3-4, Paul writes, "But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you... Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place" (cf. Eph 4:29: 'no corrupting [i.i., rotten or decaying] talk').
10. Incest: Any form of sexual activity with one's family members or relatives is prohibited in Scripture (Lev 18:7-18; 20:11-21; 1 Cor 5:1).  

Andreas Kostenberger and David Jones write that "the following principles will serve as helpful guidelines as a husband and wife consider what is or is not acceptable to God with regard to sexual activity (God, Marriage, and Family, p. 83-84): 

1. Is a given sexual practice or activity prohibited in Scripture? Or does it violate scriptural moral principles?  If not, this may be a matter in which Christians have freedom of discretion (1 Cor 6:12).
2. Is a given sexual practice or activity beneficial or harmful?  If harmful, it should be avoided (1 Cor 6:12).  The qualifiers 'beneficial' or 'harmful' ought to be evaluated with regard to the physical, emotional, and spiritual realm.  
3. Does a given sexual practice or activity involve persons outside the marriage relationship?  If so, or if a practice becomes public, it is wrong, because Scripture commands those who are married to keep the marriage bed undefiled (Heb 13:4).

Ways porneia is used in Scripture:

• Porneia is the only biblical exception for divorce and remarriage.  Mt 5:32; Mt 19:9
• It comes from the heart.  Mt 15:19; Mk 7:21
• One example of porneia mentioned in the Bible was a man sleeping with his father's wife.  1 Cor 5:1
• The body is not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord.  1 Cor 6:13
• Christians must flee sexual immorality.  1 Cor 6:18
• Porneia uniquely affects the sinner.  Every other sin is outside the body, but sexual immorality is a sin against one's own body.  1 Cor 6:18
• Sex within marriage can help to combat the temptation to commit porneia.  1 Cor 7:2
• It is listed as a work of the flesh.  Gal 5:19
• Porneia should not even be heard of among the saints.  Eph 5:3
• Sexual immorality belongs to the earthly nature, and it must be put to death.  Col 3:5
• It is God's will that we keep away from sexual immorality.  1 Thess 4:3
• Keeping away from sexual immorality is a part of sanctification.  1 Thess 4:3

In The Purity Principle, Randy Alcorn writes, “According to the Bible, the boundaries of sex are the boundaries of marriage.  Sex and marriage go together.  Sexual union is intended as an expression of a lifelong commitment.”

In Set Apart (p. 144), Bruce Wilkinson defines sexual immorality as the following

1. Sex before marriage.
2. Intercourse with anyone but your spouse.
3. Any sexual activity with anyone but your spouse.
4. Anything done by yourself for the purpose of sexual arousal.
5. Lustful thoughts.

One of the best definitions of the Bible's standard for sexuality came from an non-believing journalist, who defined it as "never before marriage, never outside of marriage, and never with the same sex."

There are at least nine reasons to avoid sexual sin:

1. It destroys marriage.  Marriage is meant to be permanent, but the Bible mentions one thing that can destroy it -- sexual sin (Mt 19:9).
2. It violates your marriage vows.  It breaks the promise of faithfulness and exclusivity that you made to your spouse on your wedding day.
3. It breaks your spouse's heart.  There is perhaps nothing more hurtful than betraying your spouse with infidelity. 
4. It hurts children.  Sexual sin often leads to divorce, or to children born out of wedlock.  Both of these harm children.
1. Stan Guthrie wrote, "Children from divorced or never-married homes are more likely to die in infancy, more likely to get divorced themselves or become unwed parents later in life, more likely to live in poverty, more likely to fail in school, less likely to graduate from college and get a good job, less likely to be in good physical health, more likely to abuse drugs as teens and adults, have lower life expectancies, have higher rates of mental illness, be at greater risk of suicide and child abuse—and on and on." Stan Guthrie, "Take a Stand for Marriage," 1/25/19, Breakpoint.org.
5. It spreads diseases.
1. As of 2019, the CDC report that STDs reached an all-time high for the 6th consecutive year.  There were 2.6 million STD cases report in 2019.  (https://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/2021/2019-STD-surveillance-report.html
2. According to the CDC, one STD, congenital syphilis, can cause miscarriages, premature births, stillbirths, or even death of newborn babies.  From 2015-2019 cases of congenital syphilis quadrupled.  
3. In his book The Secret Battle of Ideas, Jeff Myers said that in the 1950s there were only two significant STDs -- syphilis and gonorrhea -- both of which are treatable with penicillin.  Today there are more than twenty-four, with half having no cure.
6. It leads to personal misery.  Both 1 Cor 6:13 and 1 Cor 6:18 indicate that sexual immorality is a sin that uniquely hurts oneself.  Jeff Myers writes that studies show that engaging in premarital sex is closely connected with depression (The Secret Battle of Ideas, p. 55).
7. It is addictive.  According to neuroscientists, porn is addictive in the same way that many drugs are.  Once you start engaging in sexual sin, it is difficult to stop.
8. It hurts your future marriage.
1. Research shows that pre-marital sex is closely connected to sexual unfaithfulness and marital disruption.  In other words, engaging in pre-marital sex increases the chances that you will cheat on your spouse and have marriage trouble.  (Jeff Myers, The Secret Battle of Ideas, 2017, p. 55).
2. Those who have sex before marriage are far more likely to experience lasting sexual satisfaction with their spouses.  (Sean McDowell, "Why Should I Wait Until Marriage to Have Sex?," Apologetics Study Bible for Students, p. 1227.)
9. It hurts your walk with God.
1. It separates you from God.  In other words, it interferes with your intimacy and closeness to God.  See Ps 15:1-2.
2. It offends God.  See Heb 13:4.
3. It invites God's discipline.  See Heb 12:5.
4. It ruins your witness.  See Col 4:5.
5. It disqualifies you for church leadership.  See Titus 1:6.

Kevin DeYoung wrote, "It cannot be overstated how seriously the Bible treats the sin of sexual immorality.  Sexual sin is never considered adiaphora, a matter of indifference, an agree-to-disagree issue like food laws or holy days.  To the contrary, sexual immorality is precisely the sort of sin that characterizes those who will not enter the kingdom of heaven.  There are at least eight vice lists in the NT (Mk 7:21-22; Rom 1:24-31; 13:13; 1 Cor 6:9-10; Gal 5:19-21; Col 3:5-9; 1 Tim 1:9-10; Rev 21:8), and sexual immorality is included in every one of these.  In fact, in seven of the eight lists there are multiple references to sexual immorality (e.g., impurity, sensuality, orgies, men who practice homosexuality), and in most of the passages some kind of sexual immorality heads the lists.  You would be hard-pressed to find a sin more frequently, more uniformly, and more seriously condemned in the New Testament than sexual sin."  (What Does the Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality?, p. 74-74.)

Sean McDowell lists eight reasons to save sex for marriage (Sean McDowell, "Why Should I Wait Until Marriage to Have Sex?," Apologetics Study Bible for Students, p. 1227.):

1. It is a command (Matthew 19:5).
2. You are special and worth waiting for.  
3. Those who don't have sex before marriage are far more likely to experience lasting sexual satisfaction with their spouses.
4. Sexually transmitted diseases are at epidemic levels in this country.  Most STDs occur in teens and young adults.
5. Sexually active teens are more likely to be depressed.
6. Two-thirds of teens who have had sex wish they had waited.
7. Sex typically speeds up the breakup of a relationship.
8. Having sex can negatively impact your reputation.

We may think that keeping sex within marriage is old-fashioned, but when the New Testament was written it was actually a new idea.  The NIV Study Bible (1 Cor 7:4) writes that in the Greco-Roman world, "women were expected to be faithful to their spouses but men were not, often keeping mistresses and frequenting prostitutes."

so common

The CSB Study Bible says, "Sexual desires, which can readily lead to sexual immorality, commend frequent sexual union between husband and wife."

The NKJV Study Bible says, "Because of the rampant immorality in Corinth, Paul encouraged those who might be tempted to commit sexual sin to marry. It is better to develop a permanent relationship with a wife or husband than to lapse into sexual sin."

each man should have sexual relations with his own wife

ESV: "Each man should have his own wife"

Bruce Wilkinson (Set Apart, p. 147) "The words 'each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband' are imperatives -- positive commands which are to be obeyed unless God uniquely circumvents that norm with the rare gift of singleness.  Why?  Because marriage is meant to satisfy the sex drive."

The ESV Study Bible says this phrase "affirms the goodness of monogamous marriage and excludes polygamy."

The NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible says, "Married couples should have intimate relations in order to avoid sexual immorality."

3 A husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise a wife to her husband. 

fulfill

Bruce Wilkinson says that the word "fulfill" means to make full, to bring to completion, to develop the full potential.  Set Apart, p. 146

Daniel Akin writes, "The principle of satisfaction means that each party is to provide sexual enjoyment (which is “due” him or her in marriage) as frequently as the other party requires." (Daniel L. Akin, "The Bible and Sexuality, CSB Study Bible.)

duty

Bruce Wilkinson (Set Apart, p. 149) "The Bible teaches that marriage is a delight as well as a duty.  A duty is a moral or legal responsibility or obligation that arises from one's position.  It is the duty of each married person to meet the sexual needs of his or her partner."

Bruce Wilkinson (Set Apart, p. 149) "The duty does not belong to the person who initiates the sex, but to the person who responds."

The Reformation Study Bible says, "Sexual union is an expected part of marriage, not only a delight but also a debt owed to one’s wife or husband."

The Dake Reference Bible says that "the wife and husband must respect each other regarding lawful sexual needs; pay the matrimonial debt and render the conjugal duty to each other, mutually satisfying each other."

4 A wife does not have the right over her own body, but her husband does. In the same way, a husband does not have the right over his own body, but his wife does. 

the right

ESV "authority"

Bruce Wilkinson (Set Apart, p. 152) "The term authority in this passage literally means the have rights over or exclusive claim to.  In uncomplicated terms, God gave my body to my wife and have nothing to say about it."

Wilkinson addresses three misconceptions about sex within marriage (Bruce Wilkinson (Set Apart, p. 152):

1. "Some people believe that sex is inherently dirty or sinful or given solely for the purpose of conceiving children.  The Bible consistently teaches that sex is a gift from God, that you are to relish your sexual life as a couple -- independent of having children -- and that o be naked before your spouse is nothing to be ashamed about."
2. "[S]ex is not to be withheld as a punishment or bestowed as a reward."
3. Sex is not an optional part of marriage depending upon one's mood or preferences.

The MacArthur Study Bible says, "By the marriage covenant, each partner is given the right over the spouse’s body for the satisfaction of the other."

The Reformation Study Bible says that these verses are remarkable in that it reveals "the complete equality that exists between a man and a woman in the most intimate area of their relationship."

The Dake Reference Bible says, "The husband and wife belong to each other.  Neither of them has any authority to refuse what the other needs or demands in normal temperate, relationship."

5 Do not deprive one another—except when you agree for a time, to devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again; otherwise, Satan may tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

deprive

Bruce Wilkinson (Set Apart, p. 155) "The word 'deprive' literally means 'do not rob one another,' or 'do not defraud one another.'  Defrauding occurs in a marriage when one partner cheats his spouse of what is properly hers.  If you withhold your body when your partner seeks sex, it is biblical fraud."

The ESV Study Bible says, "Abstention from sexual relations in marriage should be limited to short periods of time and only by mutual consent of the husband and wife."

time

Bruce Wilkinson (Set Apart, p. 157) "Whenever a couple mutually agrees to deprive one another of sexual intimacy, the two must agree when they will have sex.  To agree only to 'not tonight' would not be following the biblical pattern.  Scripture uses a very specific word for time here which means a specific period of time."

The Reformation Study Bible says, "The apostle allows for temporary abstention from sex (in a way similar to fasting; v. 5), but he does not allow protracted abstinence."

Satan

Greek Word Study | 4567: Satan (Satanas)

The Complete Word Study Dictionary says that Satanas is a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew term Satan.  The Hebrew term means adversary.  Satanas occurs 34 times in the NT.  "In his name as Satan, he is the opposer, the adversary of both believers and unbelievers."

The Holman Treasury of Key Bible words says, "The Greek word for devil is diabolos. The Greek word signifies a “slanderer” and an “accuser”—one who accuses another (Rev. 12:10). The devil’s other name in Hebrew is Satan—the Greek word is Satanas, a word signifying “an adversary,” one who lies in wait for or sets himself in opposition to another... In contrast to the Old Testament, the New Testament has a well-developed portrayal of Satan. He comes with a whole list of names: Satan (Hebrew for “accuser”), devil, Beliar, Beelzebub, the Adversary, the Dragon, the Enemy, the Serpent, the Tempter, and the Wicked One. Satan is pictured as the ruler of a host of angels and the controller of the world, who especially governs all who are not believers (Matt. 25:41; 2 Cor. 4:4; John 8:44). Satan is opposed to God and seeks to alienate all people from God. Therefore, he is an especially dangerous foe of Christians who must steadfastly resist him and beware of his trickery (1 Pet. 5:8; Eph. 6:11). Satan works his evil will by tempting persons (John 13:2; Acts 5:3), by hindering God’s workers (1 Thess. 2:18), by accusing Christians before God (Rev. 12:10), and by controlling the evil persons who resist the gospel (2 Thess. 2:9). But Christians must not fear Satan because he will always be under God’s control, who will eventually destroy him (Rom. 16:20; Rev. 20:10)."

Satan is called "the tempter" in Matthew 4:3.

tempt | Word Study| 3985: tempt (peirazo)

The Complete Word Study Dictionary says that peirazo comes from peira, which mean experience, trial.  Peirazo means "to try, to prove in either a good or bad sense, tempt, test, test by soliciting to sin."  

• "When it is used of persons, it means "to tempt, prove, put to the test... Generally in a good sense in order to ascertain the character, views, or feelings of someone (Matt. 22:35 [cf. Mark 12:28, 34; John 6:6; Rev. 2:2]; Sept.: 1 Kgs. 10:1; Ps. 17:3).  In a bad sense, with ill intent (Mark 8:11; 10:2; 12:15; Luke 11:16; 20:23; John 8:6). Hence by implication, to try one’s virtue, tempt, solicit to sin (Gal. 6:1, “lest thou also be tempted,” yield to temptation; James 1:13, 14; Rev. 2:10); especially by Satan (Matt. 4:1, 3; Mark 1:13; Luke 4:2; 1 Cor. 7:5; 1 Thess. 3:5)."
• "God is said to try men by adversity, to test their faith and confidence in Him (1 Cor. 10:13; Heb. 2:18; 11:17, 37; Rev. 3:10; Sept.: Gen. 22:1; Ex. 20:20; Deut. 8:2).
• "Men are said to prove or tempt God by doubting, distrusting His power and aid (Acts 5:9; 15:10; 1 Cor. 10:9; Heb. 3:9 quoted from Ps. 95:9; Sept.: Ex. 17:2, 7; Is. 7:12)."
• It can also mean "to entangle a person in sin or to discover what good or evil, what weakness or strength, is in a person (Matt. 16:1; 19:3; 22:18)."
• It can mean "to know what a person’s weakness or strength is and to make it manifest to the one being tempted (2 Cor. 13:5, “examine”)."
• "Satan tempts to show someone unapproved (Matt. 4:1; Rev. 2:10). Satan is called ho peirázōn, the tempter (Matt. 4:3)."

Strong's Dictionary says it means "endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline."  It is translated by the KJV as "assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt (-er), try."

Vine's Dictionary says it means...

1. "to try, attempt, assay"
2. "to test, try, prove," in a good or a bad sense.
3. When used in a bad sense, it means "to tempt."

Thayer's Lexicon says it means...

1. "to try whether a thing can be done; to attempt, endeavor" (Acts 9:26; 16:7; 24:6);
2. "to try, make trial of, test: τινά, for the purpose of ascertaining his quality, or what he thinks, or how he will behave himself;
1. in a good sense: Mt 22:35; Jn 6:6; 2 Cor 13:5; Rev 2:2
2. in a bad sense: "to test one maliciously, craftily to put to the proof his feelings or judgment." Mt. 16:1; 19:3; 22:18, 35; Mk. 8:11; 10:2; 12:15; Lk. 11:16; 20:23
3. "to try or test one's faith, virtue, character, by enticement to sin... to solicit to sin, to tempt."  James 1:13; Gal 6:1; Rev 2:10; Mt 4:1; 1 Cor 7:5; 1 Thess 3:5

Holman Treasury of Key Bible Words says, "The Greek word, peirazō, has been translated two ways in English Bibles. It is often rendered “test” in the sense of meaning “to try” or “to make proof of.” When ascribed to God in His dealings with people, it means, and can mean, no more than this. But for the most part in Scripture, peirazō is used in a negative sense and means “to entice,” “solicit,” or “provoke to sin,” that is, “to tempt.” Hence, the name given to Satan is “the tempter” (Matt. 4:3).  When Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the wilderness for forty days, He was both “tested” and “tempted.” His faith was “tested” by the “temptations” of the wicked one, whose whole object was to seduce Jesus from His allegiance to God. Both Matthew and Luke record the details of the temptations to which Jesus was subjected by the devil. All these temptations presented short-cuts which, if pursued, would have deflected Jesus from His calling. The record leaves us in no doubt that Jesus gained the victory. Both Gospels show that He accomplished this by appealing to Scripture. Jesus is also seen in this event as a genuine man who, like all other men, was subject to temptation. Yet Jesus did not give in to “temptation”; He passed the “test” (2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 7:26). He proved His allegiance to God and was not enticed by Satan."

JI Packer (Rediscovering Holiness, p. 260) writes, “Temptations are places and times of decision in which Satan works to bring us down in an experience of defeat while God acts to build us up through an experience of overcoming.” 

Bruce Wilkinson (Set Apart, p. 100) wrote, “Another word to describe a temptation is incentive.  An incentive is something that motivates a person to do something.”  

The key passage on temptation is 1 Cor 10:12-13.

Jerry Bridges (The Pursuit of Holiness, p. 111) says, "The place to start controlling the cravings of our physical appetites is to reduce our exposure to temptation.  Our sinful cravings are strengthened by temptation."

Randy Alcorn wrote, “It’s always easier to avoid temptation than to resist it.”  

The NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible says, "Married couples should have intimate relations so that they will not be tempted to have sexual encounters outside the marriage, which is what Satan would want them to do."

A.W. Pink writes, "It is important to understand that the word tempt has a twofold significance in Scripture, though it is not always easy to determine which of the two applies in a particular passage: (The Lord's Prayer, 48.)

1. To try (the strength of), to put to the test
2. To entice to do evil.  

A.W. Pink continues, "When it is said that 'God did tempt Abraham' (Gen 22:1), it means that He tried him, putting to the test his faith and fidelity.  But when we read that Satan tempted Christ, it signifies that Satan sought to bring about His downfall, morally impossible though it was.  To tempt is to make a trial of a person, in order to find out what he is and what he will do."  

Al Mohler writes about the difference between tests and temptations.  "A test is a trying circumstance or a difficult situation orchestrated in our lives by God.  A temptation, however, is an invitation to sin, an encouragement to engage in something contrary to God's law.  God certainly tests us, but he never tempts us.  We must never allow God's tests to lead to temptations."  (The Prayer That Turns The World Upside Down, 150.)