Adultery is regarded as a serious violation in the moral and ethical standards set by the Bible. This intimate betrayal disrupts sanctity within a marital covenant and is unequivocally denounced in various verses and teachings. The Bible presents adultery as a cardinal transgression which tarnishes the intimate bond between two individuals, disrupts the harmony of familial relationships, and fundamentally breaks the covenant between the individuals and God.
Who Does Adultery Affect According to the Bible?
Adultery, as per the Bible, is not just a private affair between two individuals. Its effects ripple outward, touching the lives of the spouse, children, families, and even the community. Yet, at its core, adultery primarily disrupts the sacred bond between a man and a woman, required to maintain stability within the family unit. The implication of trust broken and vows violated often causes deeply ingrained emotional trauma, leading to irreparable damage.
What Does the Bible Say About Adultery?
At the heart of the Bible’s teachings, adultery is identified as sin. Explicitly mentioned in the Ten Commandments, it is categorized alongside other grave shortcomings such as murder, theft, and bearing false witness. The Bible insists that the unfaithfulness inherently associated with adultery contaminates the sanctity of marriage, symbolizing a covenant between two individuals and God. The bible commends purity in thought and action, stressing on the spiritual importance of marital fidelity and depicting it as a form of reverence to God.
Why Does the Bible Condemn Adultery?
The Bible’s condemnation of adultery predominantly underpins the inviolability of sacred bonds and commitments. The ethos of the Bible is defined by the sanctity of trust, faithfulness, and respect, all of which are compromised by an act of adultery. Additionally, the Bible warrants that such transgressions are symptomatic of a deeper spiritual deficiency. It emphasizes that fidelity, especially within a marital bond, is not just an earthly commitment; it is, at its essence, a spiritual covenant, reflecting one’s faith and devotion to God. Hence, indulging in adultery is seen as discord with one’s spiritual obligations.
Where Does the Bible Discuss the Consequences of Adultery?
In several verses, the Bible discusses the profound consequences of adultery. These repercussions are not just of a spiritual kind but extend to one’s personal relationships and societal standing as well. The Bible warns of severe punitive measures, both divine and societal, for such transgressions, indicating its significance in maintaining societal morality and spiritual purity. This is evident in numerous biblical narratives depicting the unfortunate outcomes of individuals who deviate from the path of marital fidelity.
When Does the Bible Advocate Forgiveness for Adulterers?
While the Bible sternly condemns adultery, there are instances when it advocates mercy and forgiveness for the transgressors. The Bible encourages individuals to seek penitence for their wrongdoings, highlighting the importance of spiritual redemption and the power of divine grace. However, it also warrants the absolute necessity of avoiding sins, denoting that forgiveness is not an excuse for repetitious transgressions. The Bible upholds the principle of personal accountability and encourages individuals to lead lives of integrity, remaining faithful in their commitments.
Below is our full list of bible verses on adultery (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Adultery
Hebrews 13:4
“4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”
Proverbs 6:32
“32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.”
Related Themes: Lust Impurity Fidelity Unfaithfulness
Matthew 19:9
“9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.”
Matthew 5:27-28
“27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
Related Themes: Lust
1 Corinthians 6:18
“18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.”
Leviticus 20:10
“10 And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.”
Matthew 5:28
“28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
Luke 16:18
“18 Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.”
Related Themes: Fidelity Divorce Marriage Benevolence
Deuteronomy 22:22
“22 If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.”
Related Themes: Lust
Matthew 5:32
“32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.”
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
“9 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,10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
Related Themes: Lust Abomination Lust Abomination
1 Corinthians 6:9
“9 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,”
Related Themes: Lust Abomination Lust Abomination
Galatians 5:19
“19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,”
Related Themes: Lust Abomination Lust Bitterness
1 Corinthians 10:13
“13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
Related Themes: Lust Self-Control Addiction Strength Temptation
Matthew 5:31-32
“31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.”
James 4:17
“17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
Related Themes: Sin Gossip Procrastination Laziness
Malachi 2:16
“16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.”
Jeremiah 3:8
“8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.”
Matthew 15:19
“19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:”
Related Themes: Lust Impurity Killing Abomination
Mark 10:11-12
“11 And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.”
Proverbs 6:24-29
“24 To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.25 Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.26 For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?29 So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.”
Related Themes: Lust Attraction
Romans 7:3
“3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.”
Related Themes: Divorce
John 8:4-11
“4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”
Deuteronomy 5:18
“18 Neither shalt thou commit adultery.”
Romans 7:2-3
“2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.”
Leviticus 18:20
“20 Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour’s wife, to defile thyself with her.”
Related Themes: Lust Impurity Abomination
Luke 18:18-20
“18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.”
Mark 10:11
“11 And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.”
1 Corinthians 7:15
“15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.”
Related Themes: Divorce Abuse Separation Unfaithfulness
