Why Adultery is Considered a Sin in Christianity
Adultery as a Sin in Christianity
Adultery is considered a sin in Christianity because it involves a breach of the marital covenant and violates God's law. The biblical definition of adultery refers to sexual relations between a married person and someone other than their spouse [1, 3]. The Mosaic law prescribed severe penalties for adultery, including death by stoning for both parties involved [3].
The Christian understanding of adultery as a sin is rooted in the biblical text, particularly in the Ten Commandments, where it is explicitly prohibited (Exodus 20:14). Jesus reinforced this commandment, expanding its scope to include not just the physical act but also the intent and desire [4]. In Matthew 5:28, Jesus states that "everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart." This teaching emphasizes that adultery is not just a physical act but also a matter of the heart.
The apostle Paul lists adultery among the "works of the flesh" that are contrary to the Christian life (Galatians 5:19). The early Christian tradition viewed adultery as a serious offense, not just against the spouse but also against God. According to John Gill, adultery is "contrary to the light of nature, and is condemned by it as a great sin" [6].
The Christian understanding of sin, as defined by Easton's Bible Dictionary, is "any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God" [2]. Adultery fits this definition as it transgresses God's law and is considered a manifestation of the sinful nature. The consequences of sin, including adultery, are severe, leading to spiritual death and separation from God [5].
Different Christian traditions have interpreted and applied the biblical teachings on adultery in various ways. However, the core understanding that adultery is a sin against God and against the marital bond remains a common thread. According to Adam Clarke, one of the principal parts of the criminality of adultery consists in its injustice, as it robs a person of their right by taking away the affection of their spouse and does them a wrong by fathering on them a spurious offspring [7].
The biblical teaching on adultery is closely tied to the broader Christian understanding of sin and the nature of human relationships. As such, it remains a significant aspect of Christian ethics and moral teaching, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness, honesty, and purity in human relationships.
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”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sin — Is "any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God" (1 John 3:4; Rom. 4:15), in the inward state and habit of the soul, as well as in the outward conduct of the life, whether by omission or commission (Rom. 6:12-17; 7:5-24). It is "not a mere violation of the law of our constitution, nor of the system of things, but an offence against a personal lawgiver and moral governor who vindicates his law with penalties. The soul that sins is always conscious that his sin is (1) intrinsically vile and polluting, and (2) that it justly deserves punishment,”
- 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”
- 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”
- James “Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin; and the sin, when it is full grown, produces death. -- James 1:15”
- 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”
- Exodus (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Exodus 20:14: Thou shalt not commit adultery - Adultery, as defined by our laws, is of two kinds; double, when between two married persons; single, when one of the parties is married, the other single. One principal part of the criminality of adultery consists in its injustice. 1. It robs a man of his right by taking from him the affection of his wife. 2. It does him a wrong by fathering on him and obliging him to maintain as his own a spurious offspring - a child which is not his. The act itself, and every thing leading to the act, is prohibited by this commandment; for our Lor”