What Does the Bible Say About Adultery? A Scripture-Based Guide
"Thou shalt not commit adultery."
This foundational command appears twice in the Mosaic Law — first in Exodus 20:14 Exodus 20:14 and again in Deuteronomy 5:18 Deuteronomy 5:18 — establishing adultery as one of the core moral prohibitions God gave to Israel. Its repetition across both accounts of the Ten Commandments underscores just how seriously God regards the sanctity of marriage.
Proverbs 6:32 goes further, framing adultery not merely as a legal violation but as an act of profound self-destruction:
"But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul."Proverbs 6:32 The Hebrew word translated "understanding" literally means "heart," suggesting that adultery reflects a fundamental failure of wisdom and moral character. The consequences aren't just social — they're spiritual and deeply personal.
Protestant View on Adultery
"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery." — Matthew 5:27
Protestant Christianity has historically grounded its teaching on adultery firmly in the Ten Commandments. The prohibition in Exodus 20:14 — "Thou shalt not commit adultery" Exodus 20:14 — is treated as a timeless moral law that transcends the ceremonial aspects of the Mosaic code and remains binding on believers today.
Protestants also emphasize Jesus's radical expansion of the command in Matthew 5:27, where He quotes the commandment directly:
"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery."Matthew 5:27 Jesus then goes on (in verse 28, beyond the retrieved passages) to internalize the prohibition, making clear that the heart's intent matters, not just the outward act. This reflects the Protestant emphasis on inward transformation over mere external compliance.
Proverbs 6:32 is frequently cited in Protestant preaching and counseling contexts to warn that adultery isn't just morally wrong — it's self-destructive: it "destroyeth his own soul" Proverbs 6:32. Many Protestant traditions use this verse to counsel both individuals and couples on the devastating personal consequences of marital unfaithfulness.
Paul's challenge in Romans 2:22 — "Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery?" Romans 2:22 — is also central to Protestant ethics, reminding believers that moral proclamation must be matched by personal integrity. It's a call to consistency that resonates strongly in evangelical and Reformed circles alike.
Key takeaways
- Adultery is forbidden twice in the Ten Commandments — in Exodus 20:14 Exodus 20:14 and Deuteronomy 5:18 Deuteronomy 5:18 — making it one of the most explicitly repeated moral prohibitions in the Bible.
- Proverbs 6:32 warns that adultery destroys the adulterer's own soul, framing it as an act of profound self-destruction, not just a sin against others Proverbs 6:32.
- The Old Testament prescribed death for both parties involved in adultery, as stated in Leviticus 20:10 Leviticus 20:10, reflecting the gravity with which ancient Israel treated marital covenant.
- Jesus in Matthew 5:27 quoted the commandment verbatim Matthew 5:27, then extended it inward — making the heart's intent, not just the act, the measure of faithfulness.
- Paul's challenge in Romans 2:22 Romans 2:22 reminds believers that condemning adultery in others while practicing it oneself is a form of hypocrisy that undermines moral witness.
Discussion
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