What does the Bible say about adultery?
When it comes to the topic of adultery, few issues are as emotionally charged, spiritually weighty, or culturally relevant. From ancient law codes to modern courtrooms and everyday relationships, adultery strikes at the heart of trust, intimacy, and covenant. But what does the Bible actually say about it? As it turns out, quite a lot—and not just in terms of behavior, but in relation to the human heart, divine love, and God’s broader redemptive plan.
The Bible’s teaching on adultery doesn’t stop at condemning the act itself. It weaves the theme throughout both Old and New Testaments, treating it not only as a breach of human commitment, but as a symbol of spiritual unfaithfulness. In the biblical view, adultery goes deeper than a broken vow between two people—it reflects a deeper fracture in the human relationship with God.
Adultery and the Seventh Commandment
Let’s start with the most obvious place: the Ten Commandments. In Exodus 20:14, God delivers a straightforward command: “You shall not commit adultery.” That’s not a suggestion, and it’s not open to interpretation. The language is absolute, and it reflects the seriousness of what’s at stake. Marriage, as the Bible defines it, is a covenant between one man and one woman. That union is meant to mirror God’s faithfulness and love. So to break that covenant is no small thing—it’s seen as a violation of something sacred.
But as Jesus later teaches in the Sermon on the Mount, adultery isn’t just about external actions. He shocks His audience by saying, “You have heard it said, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ but I say to you that anyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” That was a radical reframe. Suddenly, it wasn’t just about staying out of someone else’s bed—it was about the motives of the heart. The Bible insists that sin doesn’t begin with action. It begins in desire.
The Covenant of Marriage and Its Spiritual Weight
In Scripture, marriage isn’t treated as a mere social arrangement. It’s a sacred covenant—a living metaphor for something much greater. Paul, in Ephesians 5, describes marriage as a mystery that reflects Christ and the Church. A husband is called to love his wife as Christ loves the Church, laying down his life for her. A wife, in turn, is called to respect and submit to her husband as the Church submits to Christ. It’s a relationship built on mutual love and sacrificial loyalty—not control, not dominance.
That dynamic is a living testimony to God's commitment to His people. So when someone commits adultery, they’re not just stepping outside of a personal relationship. According to the Bible, they’re tearing at the very image of God’s covenant love. It’s one reason Scripture speaks so strongly about it—it’s not just about human betrayal, but a misrepresentation of divine faithfulness.
Adultery as a Spiritual Metaphor
One of the most striking ways the Bible talks about adultery is through metaphor—particularly in describing Israel’s relationship with God. Time and again, the prophets portray Israel’s worship of other gods as a kind of spiritual adultery. God isn’t just angry—He’s heartbroken. He’s the faithful husband, and His people have chased after others.
This is vividly portrayed in the book of Hosea. God tells Hosea to marry a woman named Gomer, who is repeatedly unfaithful to him. It’s not just a sad story. It’s a living parable. Hosea’s personal heartbreak mirrors God’s experience with Israel. And yet—despite her unfaithfulness—Hosea goes and buys Gomer back. He restores her. That’s the kind of love the Bible uses to describe God’s relationship with His people. Even in the face of betrayal, He moves toward restoration.
This spiritual metaphor carries into the New Testament as well. The Church is called the Bride of Christ. Revelation speaks of the wedding feast of the Lamb, when Jesus will return for His pure bride. But that purity isn’t something the Church earns. It’s something Christ provides. Through His death and resurrection, He washes His people clean—even from the stain of adultery.
The Consequences of Adultery in Scripture
The Bible doesn’t soft-pedal the consequences of adultery either. In the Old Testament, it was considered a capital offense under Mosaic law. Proverbs warns about the destruction that comes with it, saying it leads to ruin, shame, and even death. Proverbs 6:32 says, “He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself.”
These warnings aren’t just about legal consequences. They speak to emotional, relational, and spiritual destruction. Adultery tears apart families. It shatters trust. It wounds children. It distorts our understanding of intimacy. The Bible presents it as a deeply serious offense—not because God is harsh, but because the fallout is so real.
But again, even in this, the Bible leaves space for hope. The story of the woman caught in adultery in John 8 is one of the clearest examples. When the religious leaders want to stone her, Jesus interrupts the moment. “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone,” He says. One by one, they leave. Then He tells the woman, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” It's both grace and truth—she’s not condemned, but she’s also called to a new way of living.
Adultery, Discontent, and the Heart's Drift
Part of what fuels adultery—both physical and spiritual—is discontent. The Bible often links it with coveting, the desire for something that isn’t yours. That desire, when it takes root, can lead people to justify all kinds of behavior. But Scripture is clear: a wandering heart doesn’t begin with opportunity—it begins with dissatisfaction.
That’s why Paul teaches contentment as a spiritual discipline. In Philippians 4, he says he has learned to be content in all circumstances. That contentment comes not from getting what he wants, but from trusting Christ to be enough. The fight against adultery, then, is also a fight for contentment and against the false promises that say, “You need something else to be fulfilled.”
The Gospel and Restoration After Adultery
Here’s the heart of the Bible’s message on adultery: while the sin is serious, God’s grace is deeper. Restoration is possible—but it doesn’t come cheaply. Just as Hosea had to buy back Gomer, God bought back His people at great cost—through the blood of Christ.
This isn't just abstract theology. It’s hope for real people in real situations. Maybe you’ve been unfaithful. Maybe your marriage is struggling. Maybe you’ve been the one betrayed. The message of the Bible is that healing is possible—not always easy, but real. Forgiveness is offered. New beginnings are possible. Christ doesn't only save people from sin—He saves them for wholeness.
And in the bigger picture, even our most broken relationships point toward something greater. Christ is preparing His Church, washing her, restoring her, making her radiant. That includes people who have fallen into adultery. Through repentance, faith, and the power of the Spirit, the path forward isn’t shame—it’s redemption.
Adultery and the End of the Story
In the Bible’s eschatological vision, all forms of unfaithfulness—including adultery—are finally undone. The Church, once stained by sin, is presented to Christ as a pure bride. That’s not a metaphor for perfection earned by effort. It’s a picture of grace received by faith.
This vision of the end should shape how believers live now. Faithfulness matters—not just because it protects human relationships, but because it reflects divine ones. Our lives are telling a story, whether we realize it or not. And when we live with integrity and faithfulness, we echo God’s own character to the world around us.
Final Thoughts
So, what does the Bible say about adultery? It says it’s serious. It says it’s more than physical—it’s spiritual. But it also says there’s hope. God’s covenant love is stronger than our unfaithfulness. And in Christ, even the deepest betrayals can be forgiven, redeemed, and restored.
Whether you're wrestling with guilt, trying to rebuild trust, or simply wondering how to walk faithfully, the Bible offers both truth and grace. Adultery is not the end of the story. With God, there's always a way forward.
Verses about adultrey:
Exodus 20:14, "You shall not commit adultery."
Proverbs 6:32, "He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself."
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."
Jeremiah 3:8, "She saw that for all the adulteries of that faithless one, Israel, I had sent her away with a decree of divorce. Yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but she too went and played the whore." (Metaphorical adultery—Israel's unfaithfulness to God.)
Ezekiel 16:32, "Adulterous wife, who receives strangers instead of her husband!" (Metaphorical adultery—Israel's idolatry compared to an unfaithful spouse.)
James 4:4, "You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." (Metaphorical adultery—spiritual unfaithfulness to God.)
