English
Português
Español
Français
Response
Before addressing this inquiry, it is essential to have a clear understanding of the concept of adultery. According to the dictionary, “adultery” is defined as “voluntary sexual intercourse between a married individual and someone who is not their spouse.” This definition aligns with the biblical perspective. In Leviticus 18:20, God instructed Moses, “Do not engage in sexual relations with your neighbor’s wife and defile yourself with her,” and Deuteronomy 22:22 presents a similar explanation: “If a man is discovered in a sexual relationship with another man’s wife, both the man and the woman must be put to death.” These definitions emphasize that adultery involves a consensual sexual relationship. However, it remains ambiguous whether both parties involved in this forbidden union are married. While the biblical commands prohibit a man from being involved with another man’s wife, they do not specify if the man himself is also married. Nevertheless, it can be concluded that if a married individual willingly seeks a sexual liaison with another person, regardless of the marital status of the other party, both individuals are culpable of committing adultery.
There are two primary reasons behind God’s establishment of the commandment against adultery. Firstly, God ordained marriage to be a sacred covenant between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 19:5 and parallel passages). Marriage was designed by God to serve as the cornerstone of His creation and society. Even post-Fall (Genesis 3), marriage remains a holy union and the cornerstone of societal structure. Within marriage, the complete image of God is reflected as man and woman complement and fulfill one another. Furthermore, the Bible teaches that marriage is the ordained means through which God intended for the propagation of humanity and the nurturing of righteous descendants (Genesis 1:28, 9:1; Malachi 2:15). With such importance placed on marriage, it is understandable that God would aim to safeguard this union from defilement «Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. », (Hebrews 13:4), and thus forbid adultery, which violates the sacred marriage bond.
The second reason for the commandment is found in Leviticus 18:1-5. As God’s chosen people, the Israelites were to reflect God’s character in the Promised Land. God instructed His people to be holy because He is holy «For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. », (Leviticus 11:44), and part of holy living is sexual purity. God did not want His people to imitate the behavior of the Egyptians from whom He rescued them, nor did He want His people to mimic the conduct of the inhabitants of the land He was bringing them into. The implication was that adultery (and other sexual sins) was prevalent in the lands where the Israelites had been and were going to.
Now we understand what adultery is and why God established this command. Finally, we must comprehend what God intended by the command itself. Like all of the Ten Commandments, there are actions we must avoid (the negative aspect of the command) and actions we must take (the positive aspect of the command). The negative aspect of the command is clear: Do not commit adultery. However, there is more to this command than simply refraining from extramarital relationships. One could argue that within this prohibition are all forms of sexual sin (e.g., incest, fornication).
In matters of morality, it is crucial to consider various aspects such as sexual purity, avoiding adultery, and other forms of sexual immorality. This can be supported by references like Leviticus 18. It is equally important to refrain from actions that may lead one to contemplate adultery, like unjustly withholding marital rights (1 Corinthians 7:1-5). Jesus, during His Sermon on the Mount, elaborated on this directive (Matthew 5:27-30) by addressing all forms of lustful desires. Indulging in fantasies of sexual encounters is viewed by God as equivalent to committing adultery. Therefore, it is essential to avoid anything that may trigger impure thoughts (e.g., suggestive music, sensual films, pornography, etc.). Additionally, we should steer clear of immodest attire or any behavior that could cause a fellow believer to stumble in this area (1 Timothy 2:9;1 Peter 3:3).
Adhering to this command involves practicing the opposite of what it prohibits: maintaining purity in body, mind, speech, and conduct; being mindful of what we expose ourselves to through our senses; demonstrating self-restraint and moderation; being selective about our associations; dressing modestly; and honoring our marital commitments concerning intimacy and living arrangements. Concerning sexual transgressions, the Apostle Paul advised, “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body” «Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. », (1 Corinthians 6:18). When confronted with sexual sin, the wisest course of action is to distance ourselves from temptation and avoid such situations.
Adultery is the complete corruption of God’s good creation of marriage. Through the sin of adultery, Satan tempts us to seek sexual fulfillment in avenues other than the one God has ordained—within the bounds of monogamous, heterosexual marriage. Adultery tears at the fabric of society because it dismantles marriages and families, which are the building blocks of society. God’s law in general, and the 7th commandment in particular, is upheld as the standard for Christian behavior.
