The Bible addresses the issue of adultery in several passages, emphasizing its moral and spiritual implications. Here are some key references:
1. **Exodus 20:14** – “You shall not commit adultery.” This commandment is part of the Ten Commandments, establishing adultery as a clear violation of God’s laws.
2. **Leviticus 20:10** – “If a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.” This passage shows the seriousness of adultery in the context of Old Testament law.
3. **Proverbs 6:32-33** – “He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself. He will get wounds and dishonor, and his disgrace will not be wiped away.” These verses warn of the personal and social consequences of adultery.
4. **Matthew 5:27-28** – “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Here, Jesus expands the understanding of adultery to include lustful thoughts.
5. **Matthew 19:9** – “And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” This highlights the implications of adultery for marriage and divorce.
6. **John 8:3-11** – This passage tells the story of a woman caught in adultery, which emphasizes both the judgment for sin and the mercy of Jesus. He says to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”
7. **Hebrews 13:4** – “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” This verse reinforces the sanctity of marriage and the seriousness of adultery.
These references collectively illustrate the Bible’s strong stance against adultery, providing guidance on marital fidelity and the ethical considerations surrounding sexual relations.