The term "adulterous" refers to the act of engaging in sexual relations with someone who is not one's spouse, violating the sanctity of marriage as ordained by God. This concept is deeply rooted in biblical teachings and is consistently condemned throughout Scripture as a serious sin against God and one's spouse.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, adultery is explicitly prohibited in the Ten Commandments: "You shall not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14). The act of adultery was considered a grave offense, punishable by death under Mosaic Law: "If a man commits adultery with another man's wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must surely be put to death" (Leviticus 20:10). This severe penalty underscores the importance of marital fidelity in the covenant community of Israel.

The prophets frequently used the imagery of adultery to describe Israel's unfaithfulness to God. For example, the prophet Hosea's marriage to an unfaithful wife serves as a metaphor for Israel's spiritual adultery: "The land is committing blatant acts of adultery by forsaking the LORD" (Hosea 1:2). This metaphor highlights the seriousness of idolatry and the breaking of the covenant relationship with God.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ reaffirms the prohibition against adultery and expands its understanding. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches that adultery is not only a physical act but also a matter of the heart: "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28). This teaching emphasizes the importance of purity in thought and intention, not just in action.

Jesus also addresses the issue of divorce and remarriage, linking it to adultery: "And I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman, commits adultery" (Matthew 19:9). This underscores the sanctity and permanence of the marriage covenant.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on the sin of adultery in his epistles. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 , he lists adulterers among those who will not inherit the kingdom of God, emphasizing the need for repentance and transformation through Christ. Paul also uses the metaphor of marriage to describe the believer's relationship with Christ, urging believers to remain faithful to their spiritual "husband" (Romans 7:2-4).

Spiritual Implications

Adultery is not only a violation of the marital covenant but also a sin against God, who instituted marriage as a sacred union. It disrupts the divine order and brings about personal and communal consequences. The Bible calls believers to uphold the sanctity of marriage and to seek forgiveness and restoration through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to guard their hearts and minds against lustful thoughts and to cultivate a spirit of fidelity and love within their marriages. The church community plays a vital role in supporting marriages and providing accountability and guidance to those struggling with issues related to adultery. Through prayer, counseling, and the power of the Holy Spirit, individuals can overcome the temptation of adultery and live in accordance with God's design for marriage.1. (a.) Guilty of, or given to, adultery; pertaining to adultery; illicit.

2. (a.) Characterized by adulteration; spurious.

3428. moichalis -- an adulteress
... Word Origin from the fem. of moichos Definition an adulteress NASB Word Usage
adulteress (2), adulteresses (1), adulterous (3), adultery (1). adulteress. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3428.htm - 6k5237. nokri -- foreign, alien
... Word Origin from the same as neker Definition foreign, alien NASB Word Usage adulteress
(2), adulterous woman (2), alien (2), aliens (1), extraordinary (1 ...
/hebrew/5237.htm - 6k

2181. zanah -- to commit fornication, be a harlot
... root Definition to commit fornication, be a harlot NASB Word Usage adulterous (1),
become a harlot (1), commit adultery (1), commits flagrant harlotry (1 ...
/hebrew/2181.htm - 6k

5003. naaph -- to commit adultery
... root Definition to commit adultery NASB Word Usage adulterer (3), adulterers (5),
adulteress (3), adulteresses (2), adulteries (1), adulterous (1), adultery (1 ...
/hebrew/5003.htm - 6k

The Adulterous Woman.
... Chapter VIII. The Adulterous Woman. By referring to the Revised Version the reader
will see that the last verse of Chap. VII. and eleven verses of Chap. VIII. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the adulterous woman.htm

Why Jesus Called them an Adulterous Generation. The Law as Husband ...
... Book XII. 4. Why Jesus Called Them an Adulterous Generation. The Law as
Husband. And He called them, indeed, "an evil generation ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/4 why jesus called them.htm

Of the Adulterous Conduct of Maxentius at Rome.
... The Life of the blessed emperor constantine, by eusebius pamphilus. Book I. Chapter
XXXIII."Of the Adulterous Conduct of Maxentius at Rome. ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xxxiii of the adulterous conduct.htm

God Cares Even for Adulterous Births; Angels Given to them as ...
... Discourse II."Theophila. Chapter VI."God Cares Even for Adulterous Births;
Angels Given to Them as Guardians. But what need ...
/.../chapter vi god cares even for.htm

Whether in a Case of Divorce Husband and Wife Should be Judged on ...
... Now the adulterous wife does a greater injury to her husband, than does the adulterous
husband to his wife, since a wife's adultery involves uncertainty of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether in a case of.htm

Matt. xii. 38, 39
... But He answered and said, [1740] An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after
a sign, and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the Prophet ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xliii matt xii 38.htm

Whether it is Lawful for a Man to Kill his Wife if She be ...
... For the Divine law commanded adulterous wives to be stoned. ... But the law can rightly
kill an adulterous wife or any other person deserving of death. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for 21.htm

Therefore Cyprian Writes to Jubaianus as Follows...
... Nor is the water "profane and adulterous" [1282] over which the name of God is invoked,
even though it be invoked by profane and adulterous persons; because ...
/.../chapter 10 13 therefore.htm

Whether Husband and Wife May be Reconciled after Being Divorced?
... Objection 3: Further, if reconciliation were allowable, it would seem that the
adulterous wife is bound to return to her husband if her husband asks her. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether husband and wife may.htm

Whether a Believer Can, after his Conversion, Put Away his ...
... Objection 5: Further, an adulterous husband cannot put away an adulterous
wife, even after he has done penance for his adultery. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a believer can after.htm

Adulterous (12 Occurrences)
... adultery; illicit. 2. (a.) Characterized by adulteration; spurious.
Multi-Version Concordance Adulterous (12 Occurrences). Matthew 12 ...
/a/adulterous.htm - 10k

Generation (150 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:39 But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after
a sign, but no sign will be given it but the sign of Jonah the prophet. ...
/g/generation.htm - 44k

Jonas (11 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation
seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign ...
/j/jonas.htm - 12k

Miraculous (54 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:39 But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after
a sign, but no sign will be given it but the sign of Jonah the prophet. ...
/m/miraculous.htm - 20k

Seek (368 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:39 But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after
a sign, but no sign will be given it but the sign of Jonah the prophet. ...
/s/seek.htm - 35k

Seeks (48 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:39 But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after
a sign, but no sign will be given it but the sign of Jonah the prophet. ...
/s/seeks.htm - 19k

Save (375 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:39 But he, answering, said to them, A wicked and adulterous generation
seeks after a sign, and a sign shall not be given to it save the sign of ...
/s/save.htm - 37k

Seeketh (60 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation
seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign ...
/s/seeketh.htm - 24k

Adultery (49 Occurrences)
... An apostate church is an adulteress (Isaiah 1:21; Ezek. 23:4, 7, 37), and the Jews
are styled "an adulterous generation" (Matthew 12:39). (Comp. ...
/a/adultery.htm - 32k

Sign (181 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:39 But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after
a sign, but no sign will be given it but the sign of Jonah the prophet. ...
/s/sign.htm - 46k

How should a Christian spouse handle an adulterous affair that has resulted in a child? | GotQuestions.org

Is remarriage after divorce always adultery? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Lo-ammi in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Adulterous: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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