Adultery has been a significant moral issue since ancient times, addressed directly in God’s commandments and reinforced throughout the Bible. In Exodus 20:14, God clearly commands, “You shall not commit adultery.”
This law was not only a rule for personal conduct but also a foundation for maintaining a strong and faithful community. From the fall of King David due to his sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11) to Jesus’ teachings on the dangers of even lustful thoughts (Matthew 5:27-28), the Bible warns of the devastating effects of adultery.
The impact of adultery goes beyond personal guilt—it disrupts marriages, damages trust, and brings emotional and spiritual turmoil. Proverbs 6:32 states, “A man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself.” This highlights how infidelity not only harms relationships but also leads to deep personal destruction. The Bible presents adultery as a sin that weakens faith, breaks families, and invites consequences that can last for generations.
However, God’s grace also offers redemption. Through repentance, healing, and faith, those who have been affected by adultery can find a path to restoration. Understanding biblical wisdom on this issue is essential to making better choices, strengthening marriages, and living in alignment with God’s will.
This guide will explore powerful Bible verses that reveal the serious consequences of adultery and provide insight into overcoming its challenges through faith. Stay with us to uncover God’s ultimate plan for purity, love, and redemption.
Adultery in the Bible: What Does the Bible Say About Adultery?
Adultery is a serious sin in the Bible, often associated with betrayal, broken trust, and spiritual unfaithfulness. It is condemned in both the Old and New Testaments, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness in marriage.
Throughout Scripture, adultery is used as a metaphor for spiritual unfaithfulness to God. Just as physical adultery violates a covenant, turning away from God is seen as an act of spiritual betrayal.
- Adultery in the Bible: What Does the Bible Say About Adultery?
- Exodus 20:14 – “You shall not commit adultery.”
- Matthew 5:27-28 – “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
- Hebrews 13:4 – “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”
- Mark 10:11-12 – “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”
- Romans 7:2-3 – “For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage.”
- Proverbs 5:3-4 – “For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.”
- 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.”
- James 4:4 – “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”
- Galatians 5:19-21 – “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
- Job 31:9-12 – “If my heart has been enticed by a woman, or if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door, then let my wife grind grain for another, and let other men sleep with her. For that would have been wicked, a sin to be judged.”
- Colossians 3:5 – “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”
The Biblical Definition of Adultery
Adultery is defined in the Bible as sexual relations between a married person and someone who is not their spouse. It is seen as a betrayal of trust and a violation of God’s design for marriage.
Beyond the physical act, Jesus expanded the definition to include lustful thoughts and desires, showing that purity starts in the heart.
- Leviticus 20:10 – “If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death.”
- Proverbs 6:32 – “But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself.”
- 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 – “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
- Deuteronomy 22:22 – “If a man is found sleeping with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel.”
- Hosea 4:2 – “There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.”
- Malachi 3:5 – “So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me, says the Lord Almighty.”
- Luke 16:18 – “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
- Jeremiah 3:8 – “I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries. Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she also went out and committed adultery.”
- Revelation 2:22 – “So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways.”
- Psalm 51:10 – “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
- Proverbs 30:20 – “This is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, ‘I have done nothing wrong.’”
The Gravity of Adultery in Scripture
Adultery is not just a personal mistake; it carries severe consequences both spiritually and relationally. The Bible portrays it as an act that destroys trust, damages families, and leads to God’s judgment.
Because marriage is a reflection of Christ’s relationship with the Church, adultery is seen as an offense against both one’s spouse and God.
The Gravity of Adultery in Scripture
- 1 Timothy 1:9-10 – “We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine.”
- Ezekiel 16:32 – “You adulterous wife! You prefer strangers to your own husband!”
- Matthew 19:9 – “I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
- 2 Peter 2:14 – “With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood!”
- Isaiah 57:3 – “But you—come here, you children of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and sex workers!”
- Numbers 5:12-13 – “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘If a man’s wife goes astray and is unfaithful to him so that another man has sexual relations with her, and this is hidden from her husband and her impurity is undetected…”
- Proverbs 2:16-17 – “Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words, who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God.”
- Hosea 2:2 – “Rebuke your mother, rebuke her, for she is not my wife, and I am not her husband. Let her remove the adulterous look from her face and the unfaithfulness from between her breasts.”
- Jeremiah 13:27 – “Your adulteries and lustful neighings, your shameless prostitution! I have seen your detestable acts on the hills and in the fields. Woe to you, Jerusalem! How long will you be unclean?”
- Psalm 106:39 – “They defiled themselves by what they did; by their deeds they prostituted themselves.”
- Proverbs 7:25-27 – “Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.”
The Path to Restoration from Adultery
While adultery is a grave sin, the Bible also offers hope and forgiveness through repentance and God’s grace. Restoration is possible for those who seek God’s mercy and commit to healing.
God’s desire is for the restoration of broken relationships and a return to faithfulness, both in marriage and in our relationship with Him.
- Micah 7:18-19 – “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.”
- 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.”
- Psalm 51:1-2 – “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”
- James 5:16 – “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
- Hosea 14:1-2 – “Return, Israel, to the Lord your God. Your sins have been your downfall! Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: ‘Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.’”
- Joel 2:12-13 – “Even now, declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.”
- Isaiah 1:18 – “Come now, let us settle the matter, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”
- Proverbs 28:13 – “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”
- 2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
- Romans 8:1 – “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
What is Adultery in the Bible?
Adultery in the Bible refers to a married person engaging in a sexual relationship outside their marriage, violating God’s design for faithfulness and purity. It is condemned as a sin that damages relationships, dishonors God, and brings spiritual consequences.
- Exodus 20:14 – “You shall not commit adultery.” God commands faithfulness in marriage.
- Leviticus 20:10 – “If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death.” Adultery had serious consequences under the law.
- Proverbs 6:32 – “But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself.” Adultery leads to personal ruin.
- Matthew 5:27-28 – “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Adultery begins in the heart.
- Mark 10:11-12 – “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.” Jesus affirms the seriousness of adultery.
- Romans 7:2-3 – “For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law that binds her to him.” Marriage is a lifelong covenant.
- Hebrews 13:4 – “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” God calls for marital purity.
- 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 – “Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men… will inherit the kingdom of God.” Adultery separates us from God.
- James 4:4 – “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” Spiritual adultery is turning away from God.
- 2 Peter 2:14 – “With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood!” Adultery corrupts the heart.
- Revelation 2:22 – “So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways.” God calls for repentance from adultery.
Bible Verses About Adultery or Cheating
Cheating and adultery betray trust and break the sacred covenant of marriage. The Bible warns against such actions and emphasizes the pain they cause both spiritually and emotionally.
- Proverbs 5:3-4 – “For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end, she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.” Adultery seems tempting but leads to destruction.
- Proverbs 6:26 – “For a worker can be had for a loaf of bread, but another man’s wife preys on your very life.” Adultery is costly and dangerous.
- Proverbs 7:18-19 – “Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love! My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey.” Adultery is often justified with deceitful excuses.
- Malachi 2:14 – “You ask, ‘Why?’ It is because the Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.” God sees and condemns unfaithfulness.
- Matthew 19:9 – “I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” Sexual immorality is a serious breach of marriage.
- Luke 16:18 – “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” Marriage should be honored.
- 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.” Sexual sin damages the soul.
- Ephesians 5:3 – “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.” Adultery has no place in a believer’s life.
- Colossians 3:5 – “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” Lust and adultery lead to spiritual destruction.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 – “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable.” God calls for purity.
- Revelation 21:8 – “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” Adultery leads to judgment.
Bible Verses About Adultery and God’s Commandments
God’s commandments clearly forbid adultery, emphasizing faithfulness, integrity, and holiness in relationships.
- Exodus 20:14 – “You shall not commit adultery.” A direct command from God.
- Deuteronomy 5:18 – “You shall not commit adultery.” Reaffirming God’s law.
- Psalm 119:9 – “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.” God’s Word guides us to purity.
- Proverbs 4:23 – “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Protecting the heart prevents sin.
- Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 – “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all humanity.” Obeying God brings wisdom.
- Isaiah 1:16 – “Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong.” Repentance is necessary.
- Matthew 22:37-39 – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” True love honors God’s laws.
- John 14:15 – “If you love me, keep my commands.” Obedience to God is an act of love.
- Romans 13:9 – “The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet,’ and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Love fulfills the law.
- 1 John 3:4 – “Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.” Adultery is breaking God’s law.
- 2 John 1:6 – “And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands.” Faithfulness is an expression of love.
Bible Verses About Adultery and Temptation

Temptation to commit adultery can be strong, but God provides a way to resist. Scripture encourages believers to stay vigilant and flee from sin.
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” God provides an escape from temptation.
- Matthew 26:41 – “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Staying alert in prayer helps resist sin.
- James 1:14-15 – “But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin.” Temptation begins in the heart.
- Proverbs 7:25-26 – “Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. Many are the victims she has brought down.” Adultery destroys lives.
- Genesis 39:9 – “How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” Joseph resisted temptation by recognizing sin against God.
- Psalm 119:11 – “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” God’s Word protects against temptation.
- 2 Timothy 2:22 – “Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace.” Running from temptation is necessary.
- Galatians 5:16 – “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” The Holy Spirit empowers believers.
- Proverbs 6:28 – “Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?” Playing with temptation leads to downfall.
- Hebrews 2:18 – “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Jesus understands our struggles.
- Romans 6:12 – “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.” Sin should not control us.
Betrayal Bible Verses About Adultery
Adultery is a betrayal of trust, love, and commitment, often causing deep pain and brokenness.
- Proverbs 2:16-17 – “Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words, who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God.” Adultery is breaking a sacred promise.
- Psalm 41:9 – “Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.” Betrayal is painful.
- Micah 7:5 – “Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with the woman who lies in your embrace, guard the words of your lips.” Betrayal can come from those closest to us.
- Job 31:9-10 – “If a woman has enticed my heart, or if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door, then let my wife grind another man’s grain, and let other men sleep with her.” Betrayal brings destruction.
- Hosea 3:1 – “The Lord said to me, ‘Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress.’” God’s love remains even after betrayal.
- Malachi 2:16 – “‘The man who hates and divorces his wife,’ says the Lord, ‘does violence to the one he should protect.’” Adultery harms families.
- Matthew 5:32 – “But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery.” Adultery destroys marriages.
- John 8:4-5 – “‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?’” Betrayal leads to judgment, but Jesus shows mercy.
- Proverbs 30:20 – “This is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, ‘I’ve done nothing wrong.’” Some betray without remorse.
- Psalm 55:12-14 – “If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it… But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend.” Betrayal from a loved one is the deepest wound.
- Luke 22:48 – “But Jesus asked him, ‘Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?’” Even Jesus experienced betrayal.
Bible Verses About Adultery and Fornication
Fornication and adultery go against God’s design for purity and faithfulness. The Bible warns against these sins and calls for holiness.
- 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.” Sexual sin is destructive.
- Hebrews 13:4 – “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” God values marital faithfulness.
- Galatians 5:19-21 – “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery… Those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Sin separates from God.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 – “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality.” Holiness is God’s desire.
- Matthew 5:28 – “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Purity starts in the heart.
- Proverbs 5:3-5 – “For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end, she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.” Lust is deceptive.
- Ephesians 5:3 – “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality.” God’s standard is complete purity.
- Colossians 3:5 – “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires.” Christians must reject immorality.
- Revelation 2:21-22 – “I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling.” Those who refuse to repent face judgment.
- Proverbs 6:32 – “But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself.” Adultery brings destruction.
- Mark 7:21-23 – “For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery…” Sin starts within.
Bible Verses About Adultery and Consequences
Adultery brings painful consequences both spiritually and in relationships. God warns of its destructive impact.
- Proverbs 6:27-29 – “Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife.” Adultery leads to harm.
- Numbers 32:23 – “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Sin does not remain hidden.
- James 1:14-15 – “After desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” Sin destroys lives.
- Proverbs 5:8-11 – “Keep to a path far from her… lest you lose your honor to others and your dignity to one who is cruel.” Adultery robs people of dignity.
- Leviticus 20:10 – “If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife… both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death.” Under the Law, adultery was a severe offense.
- Hosea 4:2-3 – “There is only cursing, lying, and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.” Sin leads to chaos.
- Matthew 19:9 – “I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” Adultery damages marriages.
- 2 Samuel 12:10 – “Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.” David suffered consequences for his sin.
- Job 31:12 – “It is a fire that burns to Destruction; it would have uprooted my harvest.” Adultery ruins lives.
- Jeremiah 5:7-9 – “Your children have forsaken me and sworn by gods that are not gods… Should I not punish them for this?” God judges unfaithfulness.
- Luke 12:2 – “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.” Adultery will be exposed.
Bible Verses on Adultery of the Heart

Jesus taught that adultery is not just physical but begins in the heart through lust and impure desires.
- Matthew 5:28 – “Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Lust is adultery in thought.
- Proverbs 4:23 – “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Keeping a pure heart is essential.
- James 4:4 – “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God?” Spiritual adultery is turning from God.
- Romans 13:14 – “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” Stay away from temptation.
- Colossians 3:2 – “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Keep thoughts pure.
- Psalm 51:10 – “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Ask God for purity.
- Proverbs 7:25-26 – “Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths.” Guard your heart from temptation.
- Philippians 4:8 – “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure… think about such things.” Focus on purity.
- Ezekiel 6:9 – “They will loathe themselves for the evil they have done and for all their detestable practices.” Sin leads to regret.
- Titus 2:11-12 – “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation… It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions.” Grace enables purity.
- 1 Peter 1:15-16 – “Be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” God’s standard is holiness.
Bible Verse about Adultery: Exodus 20:14
This verse is an instructive commandment from God.
Verse: “You shall not commit adultery.” (Exodus 20:14)
God included this commandment in the Ten Commandments to establish moral and spiritual boundaries. Adultery breaks trust, damages relationships, and leads to pain and suffering. This verse serves as a reminder that faithfulness in marriage is essential for a strong and lasting relationship. God desires purity and commitment in marriage, emphasizing that moral integrity leads to a stable and blessed life.
Adultery Bible Verse: Proverbs 6:32
This verse is a warning against the consequences of adultery.
Verse: “But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself.” (Proverbs 6:32)
This verse highlights the self-destructive nature of adultery. It teaches that engaging in unfaithfulness is not just a sin against others but a deep harm to oneself. The consequences of adultery include guilt, broken trust, and loss of honor. By remaining faithful, a person safeguards their dignity, relationships, and inner peace.
Bible Verse on Adultery: Matthew 5:27-28
This verse is a practical teaching from Jesus about purity.
Verse:“People have said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you, if a man looks at a woman with lust, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”(Matthew 5:27-28)
Jesus expands the definition of adultery beyond physical actions, addressing the heart and mind. This verse teaches that even lustful thoughts can lead to spiritual corruption. By maintaining pure thoughts and resisting temptation, one can honor their relationships and stay true to God’s moral standards. Jesus emphasizes that true righteousness begins with the heart and mind.
Bible Verse for Adultery: Leviticus 20:10
This verse is a moral law for maintaining purity.
Verse: “If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife, the authorities must put both the adulterer and the adulteress to death.” (Leviticus 20:10)
During biblical times, people saw adultery as a serious offense because it disrupted the foundation of the family. This verse highlights how God values faithfulness and purity in marriage. While modern-day consequences differ, the lesson remains that adultery leads to brokenness, emotional suffering, and loss of trust. God calls people to honor their commitments and uphold moral integrity in their relationships.
Verse about Adultery: Hebrews 13:4
This verse is a motivational call to honor marriage.
Verse: “All should honor marriage and keep the marriage bed pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” (Hebrews 13:4)
God designed marriage as a sacred bond, and faithfulness strengthens it. This verse urges believers to respect and cherish their marriage, avoiding anything that compromises its purity. God promises to bless those who remain committed and warns of the consequences of unfaithfulness. By living in obedience, individuals can experience a fulfilling and God-honoring marriage.
Heartfelt Bible Verses for a Meaningful Good Friday
Scriptures on Adultery and Divorce
Adultery and divorce are serious topics in the Bible, carrying both spiritual and moral implications. The Bible emphasizes the sanctity of marriage and warns against breaking this sacred bond. God’s Word calls for faithfulness and commitment, offering guidance on repentance and forgiveness for those who have stumbled.
Scripture reveals profound truths about adultery and divorce:
- Malachi 2:16 – “For the Lord, the God of Israel, says that He hates divorce, for it covers one’s garment with violence.”
- Matthew 19:9 – “And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”
- 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 – “To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband.”
- Mark 10:9 – “Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
- Proverbs 5:18 – “May God bless your fountain, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.”
- Luke 16:18 – “Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery.”
Bible Verses About Adultery and Repentance
Adultery is a grave sin, but the Bible offers redemption through true repentance. God’s love and mercy are vast, providing a path for those who seek forgiveness and restoration.
Scripture reveals profound truths about adultery and repentance:
- Acts 3:19 -“Repent therefore, and turn back, so that God may blot out your sins.”
- 1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.”
- Ezekiel 18:21 – “But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed, they will surely live.”
- Psalm 51:10 – “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
- 2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If my people humble themselves and turn from their wicked ways, I will forgive their sin.”
- Isaiah 55:7 – “Let the wicked forsake his way, and let him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion.”
Bible Verses About Adultery and Purity
God calls His people to live in purity, both in their hearts and actions. The Bible highlights the importance of self-control, moral discipline, and faithfulness to one’s spouse.
Scripture reveals profound truths about adultery and purity:
- Matthew 5:8 – “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
- 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 – “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality.”
- Philippians 4:8 – “Whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, think about these things.”
- 1 Corinthians 6:19 – “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit?”
- Proverbs 4:23 – “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
- Ephesians 5:3 – “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality.”
Bible Verses About Adultery and Faithfulness
Faithfulness is a cornerstone of Christian marriage. The Bible encourages loyalty, love, and steadfast commitment in relationships.
Scripture reveals profound truths about adultery and faithfulness:
- Proverbs 3:3-4 – “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck.”
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – “Love is patient, love is kind… It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
- Hosea 2:19 – “I will betroth you to me forever in faithfulness, and you shall know the Lord.”
- Matthew 25:21 – “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
- Hebrews 13:4 -“All should honor marriage and keep the marriage bed undefiled.”
- Psalm 89:33 – “But I will not remove from him my steadfast love or be false to my faithfulness.”
Bible Verses About Adultery Forgiveness
Despite the seriousness of adultery, God’s grace offers hope and restoration. True repentance leads to forgiveness and a renewed life.
Scripture reveals profound truths about adultery forgiveness:
- Isaiah 1:18 – “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow.”
- Micah 7:18-19 – “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives?”
- John 8:10-11 – “Neither do I condemn you; go, and sin no more.”
- Psalm 103:12 – “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our sins.”
- Romans 8:1 – “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
- Ephesians 1:7 – “In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”
Spiritual Adultery Verses
The Bible often uses adultery as a metaphor for spiritual unfaithfulness. God desires a deep and unwavering relationship with His people.
Scripture reveals profound truths about spiritual adultery:
- Jeremiah 3:20 – “But like a woman unfaithful to her husband, so you have been unfaithful to me.”
- Ezekiel 16:32 – “You adulterous wife! You prefer strangers to your own husband.”
- Hosea 4:12 – “My people consult a wooden idol and are led astray by a spirit of prostitution.”
- James 4:4 – “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?”
- Revelation 2:4 – “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.”
- Isaiah 57:3 – “But you, come here, you children of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers.”
Key Insight
1. What does the Bible say about adultery?
The Bible condemns adultery as a serious sin, both in the Old and New Testaments. It is a violation of God’s commandments and carries spiritual consequences.
2. Can adultery be forgiven?
Yes, the Bible teaches that repentance and God’s grace can bring forgiveness. However, true restoration requires sincere confession, accountability, and healing.
3. Does the Bible consider emotional adultery a sin?
Yes, Matthew 5:28 shows that God considers even lustful thoughts as adultery. Faithfulness is not just physical but also emotional and spiritual.
4. How can someone overcome temptation and avoid adultery?
The Bible encourages guarding the heart, staying accountable, and fleeing temptation. 1 Corinthians 10:13 reminds us that God provides a way out of temptation.
5. Can a marriage recover after adultery?
Yes, with God’s help, true repentance, and commitment, a marriage can be restored. Ephesians 4:32 teaches us to “be kind and compassionate, forgiving each other.”
Conclusion
Adultery is a serious issue in the Bible, carrying both earthly and spiritual consequences. However, God offers forgiveness, healing, and restoration to those who turn to Him in repentance.
Marriage is a sacred covenant, and God calls us to faithfulness in both relationships and spiritual devotion. By staying close to God’s Word, guarding our hearts, and walking in righteousness, we can honor our commitments and live in His grace.

Hi! I’m Ethan Matthews, a tech enthusiast and avid traveler, sharing insights and adventures from my journeys around the globe.