Thou shalt not commit adultery

One of the Ten Commandments

This article is about Christian and Jewish views on adultery. For a general discussion, see Adultery.

"Thou shalt not commit adultery"

, one of the Ten Commandments, is found in the Book of Exodus (Exodus 20:14) of the Hebrew Bible and Old Testament. Considered the sixth commandment by Roman Catholic and Lutheran authorities, but the seventh by Jewish and most Protestant authorities. What constitutes adultery is not clearly defined in this passage of the Bible and has been the subject of debate in Judaism and Christianity.

Hebrew Bible

Pre-trial examples

In Genesis 12, Abram's wife Sarai is taken to the Egyptian Pharaoh's palace after Abram does not reveal his marital status. God brings “severe sickness upon Pharaoh and all his house.”[1] Pharaoh realizes that this is because Sarai is actually Abram's wife and tells him, “What have you done to me? Why didn't you tell me she was your wife? Why did you say, “She is my sister,” so that I took her as my wife? So here is your wife; take her and go."[2]

In Genesis 20, Abraham (renamed after meeting El-Shaddai (Almighty God)) moved to the Negev and again hides his marriage to Sarah. The local king, Abimelech, intends to marry her, but God appears to Abimelech in a dream and says, “Behold, you dead because of the woman you took, for she is a man’s wife.”[3]

Years later, Isaac tells the same lies about his wife, Rebecca, but Abimelech quickly learns the truth. In horror, he confronts Isaac, saying, “Whoever touches this man or his wife will certainly be put to death.”[4]

In Genesis 39 a positive example is presented in Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. He is sold into slavery in Egypt and quickly rises to a prominent and successful position running the household. Potiphar, military captain. He resists the sexual advances of Potiphar's wife "day after day," [5] protesting that he is unwilling to betray Potiphar's trust. One day, her advances become physical, and in an attempt to escape, Joseph leaves behind his cloak. Potiphar's wife uses this "evidence" to falsely accuse Joseph of rape. Joseph is imprisoned, having lost everything but his life.[6] More than two years later[7] he is restored to an even higher position, serving the pharaoh himself.

After Mount Sinai

According to the Book of Exodus, the law prohibiting adultery was written down for the Israelites at the biblical Mount Sinai. This was one of the Ten Commandments written by the finger of God on tablets of stone.[8] Details followed regarding the application of the law and additional restrictions on sexual behavior.[9] For example, the test of bitter water was established to prove the guilt or innocence of a wife whose husband suspected her of adultery.[10] Adultery was a capital crime,[11] and if adulterers were caught, at least two witnesses were required before the death penalty could be carried out.[12]

Since men were allowed to have multiple wives, adultery was interpreted as sexual relations between a man and a married or betrothed woman who was not his wife.[13] A man who had sexual relations with a woman who was not married or engaged was not guilty of adultery per se, but the man was then required to marry that woman and not divorce her for the rest of his life.[14]

If a man finds a girl who is a virgin, who has not been betrothed, and takes hold of her and lies with her, and they are found; Then the man lying with her will give the girl's father fifty shekels of silver, and she will be his wife; because he humiliated her, he cannot leave her all his days.

— Deuteronomy 22:28-29

Other restrictions on sexual behavior included prohibitions on sexual relations between close relatives, between persons of the same sex, and between people and animals;
Prostitution was also prohibited.[15] Rabbinic scholars have interpreted the ban on prostitution as a ban on sexual relations outside of marriage in general.[9][16] and a woman who, after marriage, was found to be promiscuous before marriage faced the death penalty.[17] A woman who is raped is not guilty of breaking the law provided that she screamed for help (which was taken as evidence of her non-consent).[18] According to Deuteronomy, the commandment against adultery was confirmed when the leadership of Israel passed from Moses to Joshua.[19] Thou shalt not commit adultery
by Baron Henri de Triquety (1803–74). 1837. Bronze bas-relief panel on the door of the Madeleine Place de la Madeleine, Paris.

King David's seduction of Uriah's wife Bathsheba and the bloody concealment of their adultery is a shameful violation of this commandment. Occurring approximately four centuries after the passing of the law at Mount Sinai, the event and its consequences are described in the books of Second Samuel and First Kings. Despite David's sincere and lasting repentance,[20] his violation of the commandment against adultery resulted in a temporary punishment[21] and initiated a cascade of tragic events in the United Kingdom of Israel and Judah.

The Book of Proverbs contains entire chapters warning against adultery and describing its temptations and consequences.[22] Direct warnings are given to stay away from the adulteress.[23] Wisdom is described as protection from “the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words, who leaves the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God; for her house sinks into death, and her ways to the departed; none of those who go to her return, and they do not return to the path of life.” [24]

Modern Ketubah (traditional Jewish wedding document)

Spiritual parallels

The prophets Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Hosea indicate that God viewed Israel's idol worship as spiritual adultery.[25] This led to the breaking of the covenant between them and a "divorce",[26] manifested in the defeat of the enemy nation followed by exile from which the northern kingdom never recovered.[26] This spiritual adultery was apparently accompanied by an increase in physical adultery.[27]

In Judaism

breaking the commandments is also called uncleanness or defilement. The term is especially used to denote the chief and cardinal crimes, namely, idolatry, adultery, and murder. … In regard to adultery we read: “Do not defile yourselves with any of these things.” (Leviticus 18:24)

— Maimonides in A Guide for the Perplexed

[28]

Jewish wedding in Vienna, Austria, 2007.
In Mitzvo, “Against adultery” means sexual relations between a man and a married woman. Sexual relations outside of marriage are also prohibited based on Deuteronomy 23:18.[29] The mitzvahs are as follows:

• Do not have sexual relations with another man's wife.[30][31][32]
• No sexual intercourse with a woman can be performed without a previous marriage, signed and officially declared the marriage.[9][33][34]

In the Torah, if a husband suspected his wife of adultery, it was a prescribed test to determine her guilt or innocence.[35] A separate procedure was used if the newlywed's husband suspected that his wife was promiscuous before marriage.[17] Alternatively, the death penalty for adultery required a minimum of two witnesses to be carried out, and both the man and the woman were subject to punishment.[36] While cases of adultery were difficult to prove, divorce laws added over the years allowed a husband to divorce his wife upon circumstantial evidence of adultery without witnesses or additional evidence.[37] If a woman committed unlawful sexual intercourse against her will, she was not guilty of adultery because she was not acting as a free agent.[18] Punishment was not applied in such cases, and there were no legal consequences for adultery.

In the first century, execution of ordeals became less common as further restrictions were placed on capital adultery prosecutions. In 40, before the destruction of the Second Temple,[38] the Jewish courts renounced their right to impose the death penalty (possibly under Roman pressure). Changes were made to the punishment for adultery: the adulterer was scourged, and the husband of the adulteress was not allowed to forgive her crime,[39] but was forced to divorce her and she lost all her property rights under the marriage contract.[40] An adulteress was not allowed to marry the person with whom she had committed adultery;[41] if she did so, they were forced to separate.[42]

Although enforcement was inconsistent, the mitzvah remained. Adultery is one of the three sins (along with idolatry and murder) that must be resisted to the death.[43] This was the agreement of the rabbis at a meeting in Lydda during the Bar Kochba Revolt of 132.[44]

The commandment to practice sexual relations only within marriage is affirmed in modern times by many Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform rabbis.[45] They point out that sexual relations outside of marriage undermine marriage and even love itself, and also emphasize the positive role of sexual relations in strengthening and developing love in marriage.

Seventh Commandment of God's Law

Therefore, this sin is condemned and prohibited by the Law of Moses, the 7th commandment of which succinctly, but very meaningfully, says: “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” Christ greatly expands the scope of this commandment:

“But I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for the guilt of fornication, gives her a reason to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery” (Matt. 5:32; 19:9).

Therefore, according to the Orthodox canons (7th canon of St. Basil the Great), adulterers are subject to penance of 15 years of excommunication from the Church. However, it can be reduced to 7 years if those who sinned during this period repent with tears.

Useful materials

However, it must be said that the above “classical” definition of adultery in our extremely prodigal times is significantly “outdated.” This is also partly taken into account by the canonical rules of the Orthodox Church. Thus, the 4th rule of St. Gregory of Nyssa classifies bestiality and sodomy as adultery. However, now this is not enough, since now there are other, extremely perverted forms of adultery, for example, the so-called swinging.

In the New Testament

In the Gospels, Jesus reaffirmed the commandment against adultery.[46] and seemed to expand upon it by saying, “But I tell you, whoever looks at a woman with lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”[47] He taught his listeners that the outward act of adultery does not occur separately from the sins of the heart: “From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, debauchery, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deception, debauchery, envy. , blasphemy, arrogance, stupidity. All this evil comes from within and defiles.” [48] ​​However, some commentators, including Thomas Aquinas, say that Jesus bound himself to the commandment: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.”[49]

According to the Gospel, Jesus quoted the book of Genesis about the divine origin of the marriage relationship, concluding: “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together no man should separate.”[50] Jesus rejected expedient clauses allowing divorce for almost any reason and listed sexual immorality (violation of the marriage covenant) as the only reason a person can divorce without committing adultery.[51] The Apostle Paul (commonly called the Pauline Privilege) taught in a similar manner:

I charge the married, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not divorce her husband... and that the husband should not divorce his wife. To the rest I say, not the Lord, ... But if the unbelieving partner wishes to separate, so be it; in such a case the brother or sister is not related. For God has called us to peace.[52]

In the Gospel of John there is a story about a woman caught in adultery. The leaders responsible for administering justice brought her to Jesus and asked for his judgment. Jesus clearly identified adultery with sin, but his statement, “He who is without sin casts the first stone,” did not refer to laws, but to conscience.[53] Some commentators have noted that if a woman was caught committing adultery, the man would also have to face trial.[54] The law clearly states that both parties must be sentenced to death.[11] By not holding the culprit accountable, these leaders shared the blame and found themselves unable to bear the consequences. Without forgiving her adultery, Jesus gives the woman a parting warning: “Go and sin no more.”[55]

The Apostle Paul wrote candidly about the seriousness of adultery:

Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor the idolaters, nor the adulterers, nor the homosexuals, nor the thieves, nor the greedy, nor the drunkards, nor the blasphemers, nor the swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And so were some of you. But you have been washed, you have been sanctified, you have been justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

— 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (ESV)[56]

In marriage, regular sexual relations are welcomed and encouraged. “The husband must transfer to his wife her conjugal rights, and the wife to her husband. For the wife has no power over her body, but the husband does. Likewise, the husband has no power over his body, but the wife does. “[57] As “one flesh,” husband and wife share this right and privilege; The New Testament does not describe intimacy as something that each spouse reserves to share under certain conditions. “Stop depriving one another except by agreement for a time, so that you can devote yourselves to prayer and come together again, so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”[58] The stated reason for maintaining a marital relationship is to reduce the temptation to commit adultery.

The Apostle Paul himself was never married and recognized the practical benefits of single marriage.[59] However, he called the satisfaction of celibacy a "gift".[60] and sexual desire as a more common state of people. For this reason, he recommends that most people are better off living in marriage, to avoid temptations beyond what they can bear, or to go through life "burning with passion."[61]

How to repent of cheating on your husband or wife and what penance is imposed on the sinner?

Question: “How to repent of cheating on your husband or wife”? Answer: in the same way as they repent of other sins - in an Orthodox church in confession before a priest. And in this case, the confessor, according to church canons, can and should impose one or another penance on the sinner.

Considering the general depravity and the increased influence of the spirit of fornication in the world, for example, I do not impose on such people the required 15 years of excommunication from communion, but I still excommunicate them for a much shorter time.

Here the question remains open about the forgiveness of the sinner by the other spouse. They must decide this among themselves. Repentance in confession does not at all imply the revelation of this sin of one spouse to the other. Sometimes it's better to leave it in the dark. However, I repeat, this is a family matter.

How to Pray for Forgiveness

Question: “How to pray for forgiveness of this sin”? Answer: at the end of the evening prayers of the Prayer Book there is a “Confession of Everyday Sins.” You can ask God for forgiveness of this sin in this way every evening. In addition, for this you can regularly read any prayers of repentance, for example, the canon of the same name or the 50th Psalm. And so that one of the spouses does not cheat, the other must pray to the holy martyrs Guria, Samon and Aviv, for they are the patrons of Christian marriage.

But the main thing here is that once he has sinned and repented of this, he must forever stop doing this vile and disgusting sin, because otherwise it will all end very badly!

Previously, adultery was punishable by criminal law. Now, unfortunately, this is not the case. But anyone who likes to watch various detective stories may notice that one of the main reasons that pushes people to commit serious crimes is the infidelity of one of the spouses. Either a husband cheats on a wife who has gone on a spree, or the wife of an unfaithful husband... This is what adultery can lead to! Therefore, they should be avoided in any case!!!

In Christianity

In Egypt, Joseph resisted the temptation to commit adultery at great cost. Image from the Vienna Bible 1743

Catholic Church

Adultery refers to marital infidelity. When two partners, at least one of whom is married to the other party, engage in sexual relations, even temporary ones, they are committing adultery.

— Catechism of the Catholic Church

2380

Modern Catechism of the Catholic Church

He begins his teaching on this commandment with a positive statement of how God created men and women and his purposes for sex in marriage. These goals include the union of husband and wife,[62] the demonstration of selfless, even generous love between them, and the birth of children.[63]

“God created man in his own image... male and female he created them. He blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply...” (Genesis 1:27-28)

— Catechism of the Catholic Church

2331

According to the Catechism, the betrothed must abstain from sexual intercourse until after the marriage ceremony. This display of restraint, aimed at keeping the commandment against adultery, is also seen as an important practice for fidelity in marriage:

Those who marry are called to live a life of chastity and abstinence. During this testing time, they should see the discovery of mutual respect, discipleship in faithfulness, and the hope of receiving one another from God. They should reserve for marriage the expressions of affection that belong to conjugal love. They will help each other grow in chastity.

— Catechism of the Catholic Church

2350

Chastity for married Catholics is not abstinence from sexual relations, but the enjoyment of God-given sexuality only within marriage.[64]

The tradition of the Catholic Church understands that the commandment against adultery covers all human sexuality.[65] and so pornography[66] is declared a violation of this commandment. Certain other sexual activities, which may or may not involve married people, are also expressly addressed and prohibited by the Catechism.

Adultery is seen not only as a sin between man and God, but also as an injustice that is reflected in society, harming its basic unit - the family:[67]

Adultery is injustice. One who commits adultery fails to fulfill his obligations. It damages the sign of the covenant that is the bond of marriage, violates the rights of the other spouse, and undermines the institution of marriage by violating the contract on which it is founded. It jeopardizes the good of the human generation and the well-being of children who need the stable union of their parents.

— Catechism of the Catholic Church

, 2335

Commentary on the Reformation and Post-Reformation

John Calvin understood that the commandment against adultery extended to sexual relations outside of marriage: “Although only one kind of uncleanness is mentioned, it is sufficiently clear from the principle stated, that believers are generally exhorted to chastity; for if the Law were a perfect rule of holy living, it would be more than absurd to give permission for fornication (sexual relations between unmarried people), with the exception of adultery alone.”

Matthew Henry understood the commandment against adultery, which prohibits sexual immorality in general, and recognized the difficulties people face: "This commandment forbids all acts of uncleanness, with all those carnal lusts which produce these acts and war against the soul."[68] Henry stands by his interpretation of Matthew 5:28, where Jesus warns that anyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Marriage must be respected by all and the marital bed must be clean because God will judge the adulterer and all sexually immoral people.

— Hebrews 13:4 (NIV)

Regarding the above passage, Matthew Henry comments: "Here you have, 1. The recommendation of God's ordinance upon marriage, that it is worthy in all things... 2. A terrible but just condemnation of uncleanness and indecency."[69]John Wesley believed this passage of scripture and is true judgment of God, although adulterers "often escape the judgment of men."[70]Martin Luther noted that in his day there were many more people unmarried for various reasons than in biblical times, and this circumstance increased both temptation and sexual activity displeasing to God:

But since such shameful disorder reigns among us and the very scum of all vices and obscenities, this commandment is also directed against all types of unchastity, whatever it may be called; ..., For flesh and blood remain flesh and blood, and natural attractions and excitement pass without any obstacles or obstacles, as everyone sees and feels. Therefore, in order to make it to some extent easier to avoid unchastity, God commanded the property of marriage, so that everyone would receive his share and be satisfied with it...

— Martin Luther, Large Catechism

[71]

Luther does not condemn or deny human sexuality, but, like the Apostle Paul, he points out that God established the marriage relationship to ensure its proper enjoyment. Luther notes that each spouse should intentionally care for the other and that this will promote love and the desire for chastity, which will facilitate fidelity.

In conclusion, let me say that this commandment also requires that everyone love and respect the spouse God has given them. For where marital chastity is to be maintained, man and wife must certainly live together in love and harmony, so that one can cherish the other with all his heart and with complete fidelity. For this is one of the fundamental points which kindles the love and desire of chastity, so that where it is found, chastity will follow as a matter of course without any command. That is why the Apostle Paul so diligently exhorts husband and wife to love and respect each other.

— Martin Luther, Large Catechism

[71]

The so-called "Evil Bible", printed in 1631, omits the word "not", reading "commit adultery". Historians disagree on whether this was a typo or an attempt by a competitor to sabotage the circulation.[72]

Is it a sin to date a married man or a married woman?

Let's consider a few more questions on this topic. They ask: “Is it a sin to date a married man or a married woman?” Answer: depending on what type of meetings these are. If this is friendly communication, for example, with a former classmate, or business meetings, etc., then there is no sin here.

But as soon as at least one of those meeting has a sexual attraction to another, this is already a sin. Therefore, such communication must be stopped immediately. Otherwise, developing sinfully, it will sooner or later turn into classic adultery.

What to do if you fall in love with a person who is already married?

Question: “What to do if you fall in love with a person who is already married”? Similar to the above, you should stop all meetings with this person and cut off all contact with him. Otherwise, everything will most likely end in adultery, and this will be very bad and disgusting for both!

Islam

The commandment to avoid adultery is mentioned in Surat Al-Isra:

And never approach adultery; this was wrong and bad persecution. (وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا ٱلزِّنَى ۖ إِنَّهُ كَانَ فَاحِشَةً وَسَاءَ سَبِي لًا)

— Koran 17:32

The Messenger of Allah said that a person is an unbeliever as long as he or she commits a sinful sexual act.

An adulterer who commits adultery is never a believer. -

— Sunan an-Nasai 5659

References

1. Genesis 12:17 (NIV)
2. Genesis 12:18-19 (ESV)
3. Genesis 20:3 (ESV)
4. Genesis 26:10 (ESV)
5. Genesis 39:10 (ESV)
6. Genesis 39:20
7. Genesis 40:1 and 41:1
8. Exodus 20:12, Deuteronomy 4:13
9. ^ a b c
   Mitzvoch N355 by order of Sefer Hamitzvos of the Rambam
10. Numbers 5: 11-31
11. ^ a b
    Leviticus 20:10
12. Deuteronomy 17:6
13. Deuteronomy 22:22-23
14. Deuteronomy 22:28-29,
15. Leviticus 18:6-25, 19:29, 19:29, 20:11-20, 21:9
16. CCN133 in The Short Book of Commandments by Haftz Chaim
    , 1990. New York: Feldheim Publishers. ISBN 1-58330-381-2
17. ^ a b
    Deuteronomy 22:13-21
18. ^ a b
    Deuteronomy 22:25-27
19. Deuteronomy 5:18
20. See Psalm 51, NIV Bible Study, commentary on 2 Samuel 12:13.
21. 2 Samuel 12:10, 11, 14
22. Proverbs 5,7 and most of Proverbs 6
23. Proverbs 5:8
24. Proverbs 2:16-19 (ESV)
25. Jeremiah 3:6-9, 5:7, Ezekiel 16:38, 23:37, Hosea 1:2
26. ^ a b
    Jeremiah 3:8
27. Jeremiah 5:7, 23:14, 29:23, Hosea 4:13, 15
28. Moses Maimonides, A Guide for the Perplexed
    1904 (fourth edition) translated from the original Arabic by M. Friedlander. New York: EP Dutton and Company
29. see also Deuteronomy 22:13-21.
30. Leviticus 18:20
31. Mitzvoch N347 by order of Sefer Chamitvos of Rambam
32. CCN124 in The Short Book of Commandments by Haftz Chaim
    1990 New York: Feldheim Publishers ISBN 1-58330-381-2
33. Deuteronomy 23:18
34. CCN133 in The Short Book of Commandments by Haftz Chaim
    1990 New York: Feldheim Publishers ISBN 1-58330-381-2
35. Numbers 5: 11-31, Isaacs RH, Every Person's Guide to Jewish Sexuality
    , Jason Aronson Publishing, 2000. ISBN 0-7657-6118-1, pp.74-75.
36. Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 17:6; Every Person's Guide to Jewish Sexuality
    pp. 75-76.
37. Jewish Encyclopedia article on adultery
38. Sanhedrin 41a
39. Soa 6:1
40. Maimonides, “Yad ha-Chazakhah, Ishut”, 24:6.
41. Soa 5:1
42. See also Jewish Encyclopedia article on adultery
43. Sanhedrin 74a
44. Graetz, Heinrich. History of the Jews
    , 2002. Wipf & Stock Publishers, ISBN 1-57910-893-8
45. Every Person's Guide to Jewish Sexuality
    , pp.44-46.
46. Matthew 19:18, Mark 10:19
47. Matthew 5:28 (NASB)
48. Mark 7:21-23 (NAB), see also Matthew 15:19-20
49. Exodus 20:17, Deuteronomy 5:21, St. Thomas Aquinas, Catena Aurea - The Gospel of Matthew
    , London: JGF and J. Rivington. read online
50. Matthew 19:6 (ESV)
51. Matthew 19:9, Mark 10:11,12, Luke 16:18
52. (1 Corinthians 7:10–15 RSV)
53. Pope John Paul II, "The content of the commandment: You shall not commit adultery," for a general audience, August 13, 1980.
54. Johnson B.W. Commentary on the New Testament, vol. III-John
    , 1886. Christian Publication Board, St. Louis, Missouri. read online
55. John 8:11 (ESV)
56. See also 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7.
57. 1 Corinthians 7:3-4 (ESV)
58. 1 Corinthians 7:5 (NASB)
59. 1 Corinthians 7: 1,8,28,32-34
60. 1 Corinthians 7:7
61. 1 Corinthians 7:2,5,9
62. Catechism of the Catholic Church
    , 2335
63. Catechism of the Catholic Church
    , 2335, 2360-2363, 2366
64. Catechism of the Catholic Church
    , 2348-2349
65. Catechism of the Catholic Church
    , 2336
66. Catechism of the Catholic Church
    , 2354
67. Catechism of the Catholic Church
    , 2207
68. Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible, Commentary on Exodus 20:14 read online
69. Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible, Commentary on Hebrews 13:4 read online
70. John Wesley's Commentary on the Whole Bible, Commentary on Hebrews 13:4 read online
71. ^ a b
    read online
72. Green, Emma. "You Will Commit Adultery", Atlantic Ocean
    , October 23, 2015