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Loss of Rewards for Unrepented Adultery in Believers

The concept of believers losing rewards due to unrepented sin, such as adultery, is rooted in biblical teachings concerning divine judgment and the consequences of disobedience, even for those who are justified. While salvation is understood as a free gift through faith, rewards are often presented as distinct and contingent upon faithful service and obedience [1].

Scripture indicates that disobedience to God provokes His anger, forfeits His favor and promised blessings, and can bring a curse [4]. Adultery, specifically, is identified as a grave sin [3]. The New Testament speaks of receiving a "reward of unrighteousness" for those who indulge in sinful pleasures [2]. John Gill, in his commentary on 2 Peter 2:13, interprets this as "due punishment, both in body and soul, for all their injustice to God and men," a "just recompense of reward" at God's righteous judgment [7]. Similarly, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown (JFB) interpret "reward of unrighteousness" as carrying off what is due for unrighteousness, suggesting that unrighteousness itself becomes its own punishment [9].

The distinction between salvation and rewards is crucial here. Justification, or being declared righteous, is by grace through faith, not by works [1]. However, the Bible also speaks of believers receiving rewards for their deeds [11]. Conversely, there are consequences for unfaithfulness. Torrey's Topical Textbook notes that disobedience leads to the forfeiture of promised blessings [4]. This suggests that while a believer's salvation is secure, their experience of God's favor and the extent of their eternal rewards can be impacted by their actions in this life.

The idea of losing rewards is not necessarily about losing salvation, but about missing out on what could have been gained through faithful living. For instance, Paul speaks of his "reward" as making the Gospel available without charge, implying that faithful service yields a specific recompense [11]. The concept of "sacrilege" or defrauding in spiritual matters, such as withholding tithes or vows, was also understood to have consequences, requiring estimation and restitution under the Old Testament law [8].

Repentance plays a significant role in mitigating these consequences. The Bible frequently calls for repentance, and a lack of it in the face of affliction can harden the sinner [10]. Adam Clarke, commenting on Hebrews 8:12, states that God's mercy and the pardon of iniquity are provided through Christ's sacrifice, and those who believe with penitent hearts receive remission of sins, with God remembering their iniquities no more "so as to punish them on that account" [6]. This suggests that genuine repentance can avert the punitive aspects of God's judgment for sin.

However, the consequences of unrepented sin can still manifest. While the atoning sacrifice of Christ covers all sins for the believer [5], the immediate and long-term effects of unrepented actions can still impact a believer's life and their standing in terms of rewards. The psalmist prays for God to "give them according to their deeds" and "render to them their desert," indicating a desire for justice in proportion to actions [12]. This perspective emphasizes that while God's grace is abundant, there is still a divine reckoning for actions, even for believers, particularly concerning rewards rather than salvation itself.

Sources

  1. Romans “Romans 5:16 (Webster) — And not as [it was] by one that sinned, [so is] the gift. For the judgment [was] by one to condemnation, but the free gift [is] of many offenses to justification.”
  2. II Peter “II Peter 2:13 (YLT) — about to receive a reward of unrighteousness, pleasures counting the luxury in the day, spots and blemishes, luxuriating in their deceits, feasting with you,”
  3. Ezekiel “For they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands; and with their idols have they committed adultery; and they have also caused their sons, whom they bore to me, to pass through the fire to them to be devoured. -- Ezekiel 23:37”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Disobedience to God — Provokes his anger -- Ps 78:10,40; Isa 3:8. Forfeits his favour -- 1Sa 13:14. Forfeits his promised blessings -- Jos 5:6; 1Sa 2:30; Jer 18:10. Brings a curse -- De 11:28; 28:15. A characteristic of the wicked -- Eph 2:2; Tit 1:16; 3:3. The wicked persevere in -- Jer 2:21. Heinousness of, illustrated -- Jer 35:14. Men prone to excuse -- Ge 3:12,13. Shall be punished -- Isa 42:24,25; Heb 2:2. Acknowledge the punishment of, to be just -- Ne 9:32,33; Da 9:10,11,14. Warnings against -- 1Sa 12:15; Jer 12:17. Bitter results of, illustrated -- Jer 9:13,”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Atonement, Under the Law — Made by sacrifice -- Le 1:4,5. By priests alone -- 1Ch 6:49; 2Ch 29:24. Necessary for Propitiating God. -- Ex 32:30; Le 23:27,28; 2Sa 21:3. Ransoming. -- Ex 30:15,16; Job 33:24. Purifying. -- Ex 29:36. Offered for The congregation. -- Nu 15:25; 2Ch 29:24. The priests. -- Ex 29:31-33; Le 8:34. Persons sinning ignorantly. -- Le 4:20-35. Persons sinning wilfully. -- Le 6:7. Persons swearing rashly. -- Le 5:4,6. Persons withholding evidence. -- Le 5:1,6. Persons unclean. -- Le 5:2,3,6. Women after childbirth. -- Le 12:8. The altar. -- Ex 29:36,”
  6. Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 8:12: I will be merciful to their unrighteousness - In order to be their God, as mentioned under the preceding verse, it is requisite that their iniquity should be pardoned; this is provided for by the immolation of Jesus Christ as the covenant sacrifice. By his blood, redemption has been purchased, and all who with penitent hearts believe on the Lord Jesus receive remission of sins, and God remembers their iniquities no more against them so as to punish them on that account. All spiritual evil against the nature and law of God is represented here under the following ter”
  7. 2 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Peter 2:13: And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness,.... Due punishment, both in body and soul, for all their injustice to God and men; which will be a just recompense of reward they shall receive at the righteous judgment of God, who will render to every man according to his works: the justice of which appears by what follows, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the daytime; who place all their satisfaction and happiness in sensual delight, in rioting and drunkenness, in chambering and wantonness, day after day; putting away the evil day far from them, supposing”
  8. Leviticus (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Leviticus 5:15: In the holy things of the Lord - This law seems to relate particularly to sacrilege, and defrauds in spiritual matters; such as the neglect to consecrate or redeem the firstborn, the withholding of the first-fruits, tithes, and such like; and, according to the rabbins, making any secular gain of Divine things, keeping back any part of the price of things dedicated to God, or withholding what man had vowed to pay. See a long list of these things in Ainsworth. With thy estimation - The wrong done or the defraud committed should be estimated at the number of shekels”
  9. 2 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Peter 2:13: receive--"shall carry off as their due." reward of--that is, for their "unrighteousness" [ALFORD]. Perhaps it is implied, unrighteousness shall be its own reward or punishment. "Wages of unrighteousness" (Pe2 2:15) has a different sense, namely, the earthly gain to be gotten by "unrighteousness." in the daytime--Translate as Greek, "counting the luxury which is in the daytime (not restricted to night, as ordinary revelling. Or as Vulgate and CALVIN, "the luxury which is but for a day": so Heb 11:25, "the pleasures of sin for a season"; and Heb 12:”
  10. Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 16:9: men--Greek, "the men." repented not to give him glory-- (Rev 9:20). Affliction, if it does not melt, hardens the sinner. Compare the better result on others, Rev 11:13; Rev 14:7; Rev 15:4.”
  11. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 9:18: What is my reward?--The answer is in Co1 9:19; namely, that by making the Gospel without charge, where I might have rightfully claimed maintenance, I might "win the more." of Christ--The oldest manuscripts and versions omit these words. abuse--rather "that I use not to the full my power." This is his matter for "glorying"; the "reward" ultimately aimed at is the gaining of the more (Co1 9:19). The former, as involving the latter, is verbally made the answer to the question, "What is my reward?" But really the "reward" is that which is the ul”
  12. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 28:4: Give them according to their deeds,.... According to the demerit of them, which is death, even death eternal; and according to the wickedness of their endeavours; for though wicked men do not always succeed; yet their want of success does not excuse their wickedness; give them after the work of their hands; see Ti2 4:14; render to them their desert; what their iniquities, in thought, word, and deed, deserve: such petitions are not contrary to that Christian charity which the Gospel recommends; nor do they savour of a spirit of revenge, which is condemned by the ”
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