30+ Bible Verses About Adultery

“A biblical perspective on adultery that reveals its impact, God’s guidance, and the hope of restoration.“

Adultery, a breach of trust in the sacred bond of marriage, is a topic addressed prominently throughout the Bible. It goes beyond physical unfaithfulness, encompassing thoughts and intentions that stray from God’s design for relationships. Through Scripture, we are reminded of the value of faithfulness and the spiritual importance of upholding purity in our lives.

The Bible warns about the spiritual and emotional harm adultery brings. It disrupts families, breaks trust, and creates barriers in one’s relationship with God. However, God’s Word not only condemns the act but also offers a pathway to healing and redemption. Understanding these teachings can guide individuals toward restoration and help prevent the devastating effects of infidelity.

This blog dives into key Bible verses that address adultery, providing insights into God’s perspective, warnings, consequences, and the promise of forgiveness. By exploring these Scriptures, we aim to uncover lessons that inspire both accountability and hope.

Prohibition of Adultery

The Bible categorically prohibits adultery, emphasizing its significance as a sin against both humanity and God.

Exodus 20:14

“You shall not commit adultery.”
This commandment, given to Moses, highlights God’s intention for marriage to remain a covenant of faithfulness. It serves as a moral foundation for individuals and communities.

Deuteronomy 5:18

“You shall not commit adultery.”
Reiterated in the law, this verse emphasizes the consistency of God’s stance on adultery and its role in ensuring societal and spiritual harmony.

Leviticus 18:20

“You shall not have sexual relations with your neighbor’s wife and defile yourself with her.”
This commandment directly forbids adultery, making it clear that it is not only a violation of marital trust but also an offense that brings dishonor to others.

Matthew 5:27

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’”
In the New Testament, Jesus reaffirms the importance of this commandment and deepens its meaning, addressing adultery in the heart and mind, not just in physical actions.

Warnings Against Adultery

The Bible provides multiple warnings against adultery, illustrating its dangers and calling believers to protect their hearts and actions.

Proverbs 6:24-29

This passage warns of the seductive nature of adultery, advising believers to avoid even the path leading toward temptation.
Example: Verse 27 asks, “Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?”—a vivid metaphor for the destructive nature of infidelity.

Proverbs 6:32

“But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself.”
This verse stresses the personal devastation caused by adultery, calling it a foolish act that leads to destruction.

1 Corinthians 6:18

“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.”
Paul’s instruction to flee from sexual immorality, including adultery, reflects its profound impact on one’s body, spirit, and relationship with God.

James 4:17

“If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”
This verse highlights the responsibility of believers to recognize the harm in adultery and to avoid it by choosing fidelity.

Consequences of Adultery

Adultery brings significant consequences, not only in terms of personal guilt and shame but also in the disruption of relationships and spiritual harm.

Proverbs 6:33

“Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away.”
This passage speaks to the lasting shame and dishonor that adultery brings, emphasizing that the consequences linger long after the act itself.

Jeremiah 13:27

“You have lived as a sex worker with many lovers—now you will return to me,” declares the Lord. “But I will bring you back to your tents again.”
Here, God compares His people’s unfaithfulness to adultery, illustrating the devastating impact on relationships and the need for repentance.

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 importance of honoring marriage, warning of God’s judgment upon those who commit adultery.

2 Samuel 11:4-5

“Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. Now she was purifying herself from her monthly uncleanness. Then she went back home. The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, ‘I am pregnant.’”
The story of David and Bathsheba demonstrates the personal and public consequences of adultery, including deceit, guilt, and the breakdown of moral integrity.

Bible Verses About Friendship

Adultery of the Heart

Jesus teaches that adultery is not merely an outward action but also a matter of the heart and mind.

Matthew 5:28

“But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
This verse emphasizes that adultery begins in the heart, suggesting that controlling one’s thoughts and desires is equally important in preventing sinful actions.

Matthew 15:19

“For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.”
Jesus highlights the connection between inner thoughts and outward behavior, revealing that unfaithfulness starts within and affects one’s entire being.

Mark 7:21

“For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery…”
This passage reinforces the idea that adultery originates in the heart and that guarding one’s heart is essential to living a righteous life.

Repentance and Forgiveness

The Bible offers a message of hope for those who have committed adultery—there is a path to repentance and forgiveness.

John 8:11

“Go now and leave your life of sin.”
When a woman caught in adultery is brought before Jesus, He offers her forgiveness and a call to change her ways. Jesus demonstrates that repentance can lead to transformation.

1 John 1:9

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
This verse assures believers that if they repent, God is faithful to forgive, cleansing them from the stain of sin, including adultery.

Psalm 51:1-4

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.”
David’s prayer after his adultery with Bathsheba illustrates the power of repentance and God’s willingness to forgive those who are truly sorry.

Ezekiel 18:30-31

“Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.”
God calls His people to repent of their sin, including adultery, promising restoration and deliverance from its consequences.

God’s View on Adultery

The Bible paints a picture of God’s view on adultery, showing that it is not only a violation of the marriage covenant but also a sin against God’s holiness.

Malachi 2:16

“I hate divorce,” says the Lord God of Israel, “and I hate a man’s covering himself with violence as well as with his garment,” says the Lord Almighty.
This verse highlights God’s disdain for adultery, as it often leads to the dissolution of marriage and the pain that accompanies it.

Job 31:11

“For that would have been wicked, a sin to be judged.”
Job describes adultery as a serious sin, one that defiles a person’s character and reputation.

Hosea 4:2

“There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.”
In Hosea, God condemns the rampant adultery among His people, showing how it leads to a society that is morally and spiritually broken.

Jeremiah 5:7

“How can I pardon you? Your children have forsaken me and sworn by those who are not gods. I supplied all their needs, yet they committed adultery and thronged to the houses of  sex workers.”
God laments how His people have turned from Him through adultery, a sin that breaks their relationship with Him.

Restoration and Healing

While adultery brings pain and destruction, God offers restoration and healing to those who seek it.

Hosea 3:1

“The Lord said to me, ‘Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods.’”
God commands Hosea to restore his relationship with his unfaithful wife, showing that restoration is possible through love and forgiveness.

1 Corinthians 7:10-11

“To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband.”
Paul calls for reconciliation in marriage, even after unfaithfulness, encouraging couples to seek healing and restoration in their relationship.

Question About Adultery in the Bible

1. What does the Bible say about the consequences of adultery?

The Bible outlines significant consequences for adultery, both physical and spiritual. Proverbs 6:33 warns that adultery brings shame and disgrace that will never be erased. Additionally, Hebrews 13:4 tells us that God will judge the sexually immoral, including those who commit adultery. The act leads to broken relationships and emotional damage, which can be difficult to repair.

2. Can a person who commits adultery be forgiven?

Yes, the Bible assures that forgiveness is available for those who genuinely repent. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Jesus’ words in John 8:11 also offer hope, encouraging individuals to leave their life of sin after being forgiven. Repentance and turning away from the sin are key to receiving God’s forgiveness.

3. Is adultery only about physical actions, or does it include thoughts?

According to Jesus in Matthew 5:28, adultery is not only a physical act but also a matter of the heart and mind. Lustful thoughts can lead to adultery in the eyes of God, showing that unfaithfulness begins internally. Guarding one’s thoughts is just as important as avoiding the physical act.

4. What does the Bible say about the restoration of marriages after adultery?

The Bible encourages reconciliation in marriage after adultery, as seen in 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, where Paul advises against divorce and calls for reconciliation. Additionally, Hosea 3:1 demonstrates how restoration can occur even after betrayal, as God commands Hosea to love his unfaithful wife again, symbolizing His love for Israel despite their spiritual unfaithfulness.

5. What steps should a person take to overcome the temptation of adultery?

To overcome the temptation of adultery, the Bible advises several key actions: avoiding situations where temptation might arise (Proverbs 6:24-29), guarding one’s heart and mind (Matthew 5:28), and staying committed to prayer and seeking God’s strength. In 1 Corinthians 6:18, Paul urges believers to “flee from sexual immorality,” suggesting that immediate action is necessary to protect oneself from temptation.

Conclusion

Adultery is a serious sin that damages relationships, families, and one’s connection to God. The Bible condemns it, warns against its temptations, and provides hope for those who have strayed. Whether through repentance, forgiveness, or restoration, God offers a path to healing and reconciliation. By following His guidance, we can preserve the sanctity of marriage and live according to His will.

Let us heed God’s commands, protect our hearts, and seek His mercy for forgiveness and restoration. The journey toward faithfulness is not always easy, but with God’s help, it is always possible.