Scripture calls adultery a sin: the commandment says, “You shall not commit adultery,” while Hebrews 13:4 calls marriage honorable and the marriage bed undefiled. Jesus says that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery in his heart. Proverbs shows the destructive consequences of adultery, while 1 Corinthians 6:11 says of former fornicators and other sinners that they were washed, sanctified, and justified.
What Does the Bible Say About This?
- The commandment in Exodus 20:14 says: “You shall not commit adultery.” The author of Hebrews writes that marriage should be honorable among all, the marriage bed undefiled, and that God will judge fornicators and adulterers (Hebrews 13:4).
- Jesus recalls the commandment and says that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery in his heart; then He says to tear out the offending eye and cut off the offending hand (Matthew 5:27–30).
- Proverbs describes adultery as a foolish path: “Can a man take fire to his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?” and whoever touches his neighbor’s wife will not go unpunished; he destroys his soul and finds shame and dishonor (Proverbs 6:27–35).
- Paul writes to the Corinthians that fornicators and various other unrighteous people will not inherit the Kingdom of God, and adds: “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, and you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:9–11).
This brief answer was prepared by the editorial team; the verse texts are from the “Father’s Blessing” Bible.
Key Scripture Passages
5 Scripture passages · Father’s Blessing Bible
Exodus 20:14
You shall not commit adultery.
Matthew 5:27–30
27 You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and throw it away from you, for it is better for you that one of your members should perish than that your whole body be cast into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you, for it is better for you that one of your members should perish than that your whole body go into hell.
Hebrews 13:4
Marriage among all let it be held in honor, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
Proverbs 6:27–35
27 Can anyone take fire into his bosom without burning his outer garment? 28 Can anyone walk on hot coals without scorching his feet? 29 So it is with anyone who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; whoever touches her will not go unpunished. 30 People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry; 31 yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold; he must give up all the possessions of his house. 32 But a man who commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; whoever does so destroys himself: 33 he will be beaten and disgraced, and his shame will not be wiped away, 34 for jealousy enrages a husband, and he will show no mercy on the day of vengeance; 35 he will accept no compensation and will not be satisfied, no matter how many gifts you offer.
1 Corinthians 6:9–11
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor swindlers will inherit the Kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Related Questions
- Is premarital sex a sin?
- Is divorce permissible?
- Can you remarry after divorce?
- Will God forgive a serious sin?
