Overcoming Adultery in the Christian Life and Marriage
Biblical Foundations of Marriage and Adultery
The concept of adultery is deeply rooted in biblical teachings on marriage. The original institution of marriage is described in Genesis 2:18-24, where monogamy is established as the foundational principle [6]. The seventh commandment, "You shall not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14), underscores the importance of fidelity within this marital bond. Adultery, in its original context, referred specifically to sexual relations between a married woman and a man who was not her husband, with the Mosaic law prescribing severe penalties for such transgressions [1, 5].
Jesus' Teaching on Adultery and Divorce
Jesus expands on the commandment against adultery in the New Testament, emphasizing that it is not just the physical act that constitutes adultery, but also the intent and lust in one's heart (Matthew 5:28) [4]. He further teaches that divorce, except in cases of sexual immorality, does not absolve one from the commitment of marriage, and remarriage after such a divorce constitutes adultery (Matthew 19:9; 5:32) [2, 3]. This teaching underscores the seriousness with which Jesus views the marital covenant.
Theological Understanding of Adultery
Theologically, adultery is understood as a breach of the marital covenant, involving not just a violation of the spouse's rights but also a betrayal of the trust and commitment made before God. It is considered a "heinous crime" that is contrary to both the light of nature and the express will of God [10]. The early Christian tradition, as reflected in the writings of John Chrysostom, emphasizes the importance of holiness and the keeping of commandments as a test of Christian love, with communion being reserved for those who are pure [9].
Restoration and Healing
While the Bible is clear on the severity of adultery, it also offers a path for restoration and healing. The emphasis is on mutual consideration and the fulfillment of marital duties, as noted in 1 Corinthians 7:3-4, where Paul advises that married Christians should be considerate of each other's sexual needs to avoid temptation [8]. The process of healing and restoration involves confession, repentance, and a commitment to rebuild the relationship, reflecting the Christian values of forgiveness and redemption.
Traditional Perspectives on Overcoming Adultery
Different Christian traditions offer varying perspectives on how to overcome adultery. The Eastern Orthodox tradition, through the writings of John Chrysostom, highlights the importance of holiness and the communal aspect of Christian life in overcoming sin. Protestant traditions, as seen in the commentaries on Exodus and 1 Corinthians, emphasize the biblical teachings on marriage and the seriousness of adultery, while also pointing to the possibility of forgiveness and restoration through faith in Christ [7, 8]. The Baptist/Reformed perspective, as represented by John Gill, underscores the heinous nature of adultery and the need for repentance [10].
Conclusion
Overcoming adultery in the Christian life and marriage involves a deep understanding of the biblical teachings on marriage, a commitment to the principles of fidelity and forgiveness, and a reliance on the grace of God for healing and restoration. The various Christian traditions, while differing in their specific approaches, collectively emphasize the importance of holiness, mutual support within marriage, and the redemptive power of Christ's love.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Adultery — Conjugal infidelity. An adulterer was a man who had illicit intercourse with a married or a betrothed woman, and such a woman was an adulteress. Intercourse between a married man and an unmarried woman was fornication. Adultery was regarded as a great social wrong, as well as a great sin. The Mosaic law (Num. 5:11-31) prescribed that the suspected wife should be tried by the ordeal of the "water of jealousy." There is, however, no recorded instance of the application of this law. In subsequent times the Rabbis made various regulations with the view of disc”
- Matthew “I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she is divorced commits adultery.” -- Matthew 19:9”
- Matthew “but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery. -- Matthew 5:32”
- Matthew “but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. -- Matthew 5:28”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Adultery — (Exodus 20:14) The parties to this crime, according to Jewish law, were a married woman and a man who was not her husband. The Mosaic penalty was that both the guilty parties should be stoned, and it applied as well to the betrothed as to the married woman, provided she were free. (22:22-24) A bondwoman so offending was to be scourged, and the man was to make a trespass offering. (Leviticus 19:20-22) At a later time, and when owing, to Gentile example, the marriage tie became a looser bond of union, public feeling in regard to adultery changed, and the pena”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Marriage — Was instituted in Paradise when man was in innocence (Gen. 2:18-24). Here we have its original charter, which was confirmed by our Lord, as the basis on which all regulations are to be framed (Matt. 19:4, 5). It is evident that monogamy was the original law of marriage (Matt. 19:5; 1 Cor. 6:16). This law was violated in after times, when corrupt usages began to be introduced (Gen. 4:19; 6:2). We meet with the prevalence of polygamy and concubinage in the patriarchal age (Gen. 16:1-4; 22:21-24; 28:8, 9; 29:23-30, etc.). Polygamy was acknowledged in the Mosa”
- Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 20:14: 20:14 adultery: Here this term represents all sexual sins, among which adultery most clearly indicates breaking faith. Adulterers satisfy their sexual desires as they please, and they break faith with their spouse in so doing. Jesus expanded on this command in Matt 5:27-30.”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 7:3: 7:3-4 Because of the temptation to sexual immorality, married Christians must always be considerate of the sexual needs of their spouses. Sexual intimacy is a mutual right for both spouses in a marriage and must not be withheld. Marriage includes yielding the authority over one’s body to one’s spouse, though such authority is clearly not to be abused.”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: Commandments, keeping them the test of Christian love, 275 , 276 . Communion, of Christians, depends on holiness, 89 ; joins men to the Body of Christ, 166 ; absolute necessity of, 168 ; to be understood spiritually, 169 . Company of wicked men dangerous and offensive, 206 . Conception of the Blessed Virgin, accredited in the Old Testament, 92 . Concubinage, sanctioned by heathen philosophers, 50 . Condescension, lessens not greatness, 38 . Confession, a way to pardon, 29 ; not needful to Christ, 59 ; best made by good works, 72 ; Nathanael's and Pe”
- Job (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Job 31:10: For this is an heinous crime,.... Adultery; it is contrary to the light of nature, and is condemned by it as a great sin, Gen 20:9; as well as contrary to the express will and law of God, Exo 20:14; and, though all sin is a transgression of the law of God, and deserving of death; yet there are some sins greater and more heinous than others, being attended with aggravating circumstances; and such is this sin, it is a breach of the marriage contract and covenant between man and wife; it is doing injury to a man's property, and to that which is the nearest and dearest to h”