Topical Bible: Adultery: Forgiveness of--Instances of

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Adultery, a grave sin in biblical teaching, is addressed with both condemnation and the possibility of forgiveness. The Bible provides several instances where individuals guilty of adultery receive forgiveness, demonstrating God's mercy and the transformative power of repentance.

David and Bathsheba
One of the most notable instances of adultery and subsequent forgiveness is the account of King David and Bathsheba. David, a man after God's own heart, committed adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, and subsequently arranged for Uriah's death to cover up the sin (2 Samuel 11). When confronted by the prophet Nathan, David repented deeply, acknowledging his sin before God. Psalm 51 records David's heartfelt plea for mercy: "Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions" (Psalm 51:1, BSB). Despite the severe consequences of his actions, David received forgiveness, illustrating God's readiness to forgive those who truly repent.

The Woman Caught in Adultery
In the New Testament, the account of the woman caught in adultery provides a profound example of forgiveness. The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman to Jesus, accusing her of adultery and demanding her punishment according to the Law of Moses (John 8:3-5). Jesus responded with wisdom and compassion, saying, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her" (John 8:7, BSB). As her accusers departed one by one, Jesus addressed the woman, saying, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more" (John 8:11, BSB). This encounter highlights Jesus' authority to forgive sins and His call for a transformed life.

Hosea and Gomer
The prophet Hosea's marriage to Gomer serves as a symbolic narrative of forgiveness and redemption. Gomer, who was unfaithful to Hosea, represents Israel's unfaithfulness to God. Despite her adultery, Hosea is commanded by God to love her again, symbolizing God's enduring love and willingness to forgive His people (Hosea 3:1). This account underscores the theme of divine forgiveness and the hope of restoration for those who turn back to God.

Forgiveness in the Teachings of Jesus
Jesus' teachings further emphasize the importance of forgiveness. In the Lord's Prayer, He instructs His followers to pray, "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matthew 6:12, BSB). This principle of reciprocal forgiveness is reinforced in Jesus' parables and teachings, encouraging believers to forgive others as they have been forgiven by God.

These instances collectively illustrate that while adultery is a serious sin, the Bible offers hope for forgiveness through genuine repentance and faith in God's mercy.

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Judges 19:1-4
And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah.
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John 8:10,11
When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said to her, Woman, where are those your accusers? has no man condemned you?
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Library

On Repentance and Remission of Sins, and Concerning the Adversary.
... I have committed fornication, and adultery, I have ... Scripture says nothing of his
repentance or forgiveness. ... and looking to the profusion of instances, I come ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture ii on repentance and.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
... the second to what is bad, their books are notwithstanding full of instances in
which ... He calls them His wife, and warns them against committing adultery with a ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm